Elements Festival Responds to Fan Criticism: “We Heard You”

5 days ago 8

The organizers of Elements Festival promise a bigger box office, faster entry, and more signage among their “improvements you can already expect for next year.”

Elements Festival was one of many large-scale gatherings temporarily halted due to inclement weather in 2024, and attendees have also aired grievances about numerous other logistical breakdowns. To their credit, the Long Pond, Pennsylvania festival’s organizers have taken accountability, sharing a number of ways they intend to improve next year’s event.

“We heard you, and we’re going to keep hearing you,” reads the caption of the first Instagram slideshow in a series outlining “improvements you can already expect for next year.” It first addresses this year’s delays in wristband shipment, promising that it will “start at the end of June” and “be completed by mid July,” preventing attendees from going bandless by the time the gates open.

Also included is a slide guaranteeing a bigger box office with more pickup lanes, and another that says the festival entrance will include similar improvements as well as added security. Organizers also shared plans to expand on signage throughout the festival footprint and upgrade their mobile app so that attendees can find their way around more easily.

Less urgent improvements include more VIP amenities, including exclusive areas at the Water Stage and Air Stage along with dedicated lanes at the entrance and box office. Organizers have also promised a new Water Stage location, more food options, more ice sale locations, more art along forest pathways, and more water stations.

As can be expected, social media commentators shared a wide range of reactions to the post. “Round of applause for the constant strive to listen to your community and make it better than it was before,” said one, while another called for more “transparency on conditions updates,” arguing that “’We’re working on it’ isn’t an update.”

This year’s event wasn’t the first time Elements Festival was sidelined by heavy rain. In 2021, Hurricane Ida created a logistical disaster for organizers, further compounded by their lack of communication and resources.

Elements Festival’s slideshow concluded by promising that organizers would continue to announce improvements. “Thank you for giving us your feedback and for evolving with us throughout the years,” read the final slide.