SINGAPORE: A sky lantern festival in Sentosa did not go ahead as planned on Wednesday (Feb 21), prompting angry participants to seek refunds after they were told they could not light the lanterns there.
The inaugural Singapore Sky Lantern Festival was supposed to feature lanterns tethered to the ground via 60m-long strings.
They were meant to float in the sky for five to 10 minutes until the candles were extinguished, before participants brought the lanterns back to the ground at Palawan Green.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, please note that the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival has been delayed," read a notice at the location on Wednesday.
An announcement was also heard over the speakers: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to release the sky lanterns with fire."
"Nevertheless, we are giving away a lantern, a bag and an LED light for you to pen your wishes," it said, adding that participants could tie their completed lanterns around the barricade or take them home.
People were informed that they could request a refund via the website of ticketing platform Eventbrite. Tickets cost S$50, excluding booking fees.
A participant who did not want to be named told CNA that staff on the ground said: "All I can say is we don’t have a permit to light up the lantern."
View of a sky lantern tied to a barricade at Sentosa's Palawan Green on Feb 21, 2024. (Image: TikTok/huynhthi0303)
Angry participants complained on the event's Facebook page about the abrupt cancellation.
"Instead you let people queue for hours without knowing what’s going on, just to collect 50$ lantern for a souvenir as they are not able to light it anywhere in Singapore," one Facebook user said.
Another wrote: "Is it cancelled? Walked in and everyone said to get my refund as there’s no more lanterns, food or music festival."
TikTok user sheryllim80 said that many participants in the queue were unaware of the change as only a small sign was put up.
She added that she was told a refund would not be given if people chose to collect the lantern and the LED light.
TikTok user onericeplease said the food stalls at the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival were "non-existent". (Image: TikTok/onericeplease)
View of the LED lights offered to participants of the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival at Sentosa's Palawan Green on Feb 21, 2024. (Image: TikTok/sheryllim80)
"Got lantern but no light up," an event employee told TikTok user onericeplease when asked when the lanterns would be going up.
She also noted that the promised food stalls appeared to be "non-existent" and compared the event to Fyre Festival.
Fyre festival, billed as a luxury event, was supposed to take place over two weekends in 2017. Customers arrived to learn musical acts were cancelled, with the accommodation and food they were promised falling far short of expectations.
CNA has asked Sentosa for comment.
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The inaugural Singapore Sky Lantern Festival was supposed to feature lanterns tethered to the ground via 60m-long strings.
They were meant to float in the sky for five to 10 minutes until the candles were extinguished, before participants brought the lanterns back to the ground at Palawan Green.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, please note that the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival has been delayed," read a notice at the location on Wednesday.
An announcement was also heard over the speakers: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to release the sky lanterns with fire."
"Nevertheless, we are giving away a lantern, a bag and an LED light for you to pen your wishes," it said, adding that participants could tie their completed lanterns around the barricade or take them home.
People were informed that they could request a refund via the website of ticketing platform Eventbrite. Tickets cost S$50, excluding booking fees.
A participant who did not want to be named told CNA that staff on the ground said: "All I can say is we don’t have a permit to light up the lantern."
View of a sky lantern tied to a barricade at Sentosa's Palawan Green on Feb 21, 2024. (Image: TikTok/huynhthi0303)
Angry participants complained on the event's Facebook page about the abrupt cancellation.
"Instead you let people queue for hours without knowing what’s going on, just to collect 50$ lantern for a souvenir as they are not able to light it anywhere in Singapore," one Facebook user said.
Another wrote: "Is it cancelled? Walked in and everyone said to get my refund as there’s no more lanterns, food or music festival."
TikTok user sheryllim80 said that many participants in the queue were unaware of the change as only a small sign was put up.
She added that she was told a refund would not be given if people chose to collect the lantern and the LED light.
TikTok user onericeplease said the food stalls at the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival were "non-existent". (Image: TikTok/onericeplease)
View of the LED lights offered to participants of the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival at Sentosa's Palawan Green on Feb 21, 2024. (Image: TikTok/sheryllim80)
"Got lantern but no light up," an event employee told TikTok user onericeplease when asked when the lanterns would be going up.
She also noted that the promised food stalls appeared to be "non-existent" and compared the event to Fyre Festival.
Fyre festival, billed as a luxury event, was supposed to take place over two weekends in 2017. Customers arrived to learn musical acts were cancelled, with the accommodation and food they were promised falling far short of expectations.
CNA has asked Sentosa for comment.
Continue reading...