“We would appreciate your patience over the coming days and deeply apologise for this inconvenience.”
One of Cork’s most popular festivals is at risk of suffering in the long term as a series of objections has resulted in it being pulled just a week before it was set to go ahead.
Organisers were left with no choice but to pull the plug on Oktoberfest Beag, the annual celebration of German food, beer and music, following “significant resistance” from the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) Cork Division.
“We exhausted all efforts to resolve the few concerns they had however due to the frustration of the application and lack of support from the Cork Vintners, the deadline passed where we could not proceed with the plans without risking significant losses and disruption for all involved,” organisers wrote in a Facebook post.
“It is no doubt a huge loss for the local economy and the region.”
The six-day event – which was set to go ahead on the same site as Live at the Marquee gigs – was due to kick off on Friday 14 September. The team announced that they’re “gutted” at the change of plans.
This would have been the ninth year of Oktoberfest Beag, which is the second biggest festival of its kind in Ireland, after the annual Oktoberfest Dublin celebration which takes place on George’s Dock.
The VFI Cork Branch wrote to JOE clarifying its position regarding the event.
“The VFI had concerns about certain aspects of the event, which, following discussions with the organiser Daryl Cronin were satisfactorily addressed. On Friday afternoon (7th September) the VFI informed Mr Cronin it was withdrawing its concerns about Oktoberfest Beag and wished him luck with the event.
“Subsequently, Mr Cronin cancelled the event. The VFI Cork committee would like to state it is disappointed Oktoberfest Beag is not proceeding.”
Organisers maintain high hopes that the festival will continue in the coming years, however, as they signed off their statement referencing Oktoberfest Beag 2019.
“With your continued support we really do hope to Prost with you again in 2019.”
15,000 tickets had been booked and sold to punters for the event, which will now each be refunded individually. Daryl Cronin, head organiser of the event, has since apologised for the situation.
“To our loyal ticket holders and corporate groups who plan their annual night out with us each year celebrating Oktoberfest – we deeply apologise. We sincerely thank you for all your support over the past number of years.”
Main image via Oktoberfest Beag Facebook
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