Festival was ‘not Cool-y’

FUMING Cooly Rocks On stallholders want refunds and plan boycotts, claiming disorganisation, poor communication and unnecessary cancellations.

A group of stallholders and classic car owners have told the Bulletin they won’t return to the annual rock-and-roll and vintage vehicles festival after a bad experience this year.

Some want organiser Connecting Southern Gold Coast to pay refunds for axing trading on Sunday when it rained.

The group says the decision was unnecessary, impacted on a busy final day and they should have been told directly instead of via a Facebook post.

In a refund request, Ellen’s Crystals stallholder Sharon Neave, who paid $725 for a three-day stall, said sales were severely affected by Sunday’s cancellation and partial axing of entertainment on Saturday.

“I’m really disappointed with the organisation and communication,” she said.

“I don’t understand why an outdoor event in winter doesn’t waterproof electrical and sound equipment.

“The complete lack of communication regarding cancellation of trading was appalling.

“Not a text, email, message, representative walking around ... nothing. We didn’t cover our stall cost and won’t be back.”

Pout Artistry hair and makeup stallholder Sarah Menz said she would do something privately next year while it was on and many local businesses were “boycotting”.

Car exhibitors said $115 fees were too high and prime spots given to local car owners.

Pontiac Car Club Queensland president Chris Malone said more members were gravitating to the Sunshine Coast’s Downunder Beachfest retro car event at the weekend.

A club Facebook post said Cooly Rocks On had declined and 2016 was “pretty grim”.

“Things were looking worse in the lead-up to 2017, with hundreds of unwanted car spaces, then it rained. Time to join the conga line and head north for Downunder Beachfest.”

Connecting Southern Gold Coast CEO Peter Doggett said cancellations were his call and in the interests of band safety.

“I don’t apologise for it,” he said.

Mr Doggett said Facebook seemed the quickest way to tell 200 stallholders.

A debrief and refunds were being considered.

“We need to keep adapting and improving. But I can’t do much about the weather.”