Show will go on after storm forces Firefly evacuation
Firefly Music Festival grounds were evacuated June 20, but most of the show is set to continue today, with a small chance of rain in the forecast for the last day of music.
Firefly fans were instructed to leave The Woodlands at Dover International Speedway last night shortly before 10 p.m. and asked to seek shelter in vehicles as well as disassemble tent poles and canopies.
Headliner Kings of Leon, set to play at an earlier time at 9:45 p.m., was cancelled and could not reschedule for a Sunday performance.
"As the day progressed, it became apparent that several different weather systems, including the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill, would be affecting the Dover area," said Ed Klima, senior director of public safety at Dover International Speedway.
According to the University of Delaware's Delaware Environmental Observing System, Dover received nearly an inch of rainfall in the last 24 hours.
"Based on information provided by our on-site meteorologist and the National Weather Service, we made the collaborative decision with festival organizers to evacuate the festival grounds according to our severe weather plan," Klima said.
He said festival grounds were cleared in less than an hour.
"We were extremely pleased with the collective effort of the team and the cooperation of patrons exiting the festival grounds," he said.
While music fans will miss the planned Saturday night headliner, some other acts have been rescheduled. Steve Aoki and The Chainsmokers rescheduled for Sunday slots, Firefly organizers said on Twitter. Updated performance schedules can be found at www.fireflyfestival.com.
The National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms for the final day of the festival, with a 40 percent chance of precipitation in the afternoon, decreasing to 20 percent tonight.
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