Shvitzout: Cent. Pk. OZY Fest a ‘NO’-ZY
City officials pulled the plug on this weekend’s celebrity-packed OZY Fest in Central Park, citing dangerous temperatures and humidity that will make it feel like as hot as 111 degrees.
Mayor de Blasio decided on Friday at 1:30 p.m. to cancel the two-day culture event, which promised an eclectic group of performers and speakers such as singer John Legend, former Yankee Alex Rodriguez, director Spike Lee, “Shark Tank” billionaire Mark Cuban and presidential hopefuls Beto O’Rourke and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“We’re saying we’re done here. This thing needs to be canceled. They may feel the same way, but we came to the decision that it was not appropriate for this to go forward,” de Blasio said.
OZY Fest’s contract lets the city cancel the event if heat indexes exceed 105 degrees, according to Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver. Temps on Saturday and Sunday were set to feel like 109-111 degrees.
The event cost as much as $449 for VIP tickets, although organizers said all tickets will be refunded.
Hours after the cancellation, OZY Fest’s Web site still had tickets for sale, as the site plugged “unlimited free water, misting fans, shaded areas, heat relief tents, sunscreen dispensers and ice stations all weekend long.”
The lack of info stoked ire online among ticket holders.
“You’ve been cancelled. Make an update/official announcement on your website and social media and determine how refunds can be distributed,” one person tweeted.