B.C.'s biggest music festival Pemberton, which had 180,000 people pass through its gates in 2016, abruptly canceled its 2017 event this afternoon.
We quickly learned the festival's organizers had filed for bankruptcy.
But where does that leave ticket holders wanting a refund? Ernst & Young, the company appointed trustee in the bankruptcy, has these answers.
As per the documents obtained by KelownaNow from Ernst & Young, here is what we know regarding refunds from Pemberton Music Festival.
Do I get an automatic refund?
“Unfortunately there are no automatic refunds from Pemberton Music Festival. As Pemberton Music Festival is now in bankruptcy, it has no ability to provide refunds for tickets purchased.”
How do I get my money back?
“Ticketholders may file a proof of claim form as an unsecured creditor with Ernst & Young Inc. in accordance with the claims process."
“Proof of claim forms will be mailed to known Pemberton Music Festival creditors in due course and made available in future on the Ernst & Young website at: ey.com/ca/pmf.”
How long will the process take?
"A determination of recovery, if any, on the claims of ticket holders from the estate will not be known for several weeks."
“Ernst & Young will provide an update to creditors in due course.”
What if I bought the ticket from a third party?
“Refunds may be available to ticketholders from third parties if tickets were purchased using a credit card."
“As each bank and credit card issuer have their own specific policies, ticketholders are to contact their bank or credit card issuer directly to determine whether a refund can be obtained.
“In due course, Ernst & Young will provide further details concerning contact information for the various credit cards and financial institutions on its website.”
Who can I contact for more information?
“For general inquiries, please contact Mr. Jason Oliveri at (604) 891-8493.”
In a notice on its website, HUKA Entertainment, which produced the festival, said it was "heartbroken" to make the announcement.
"As a contract producer, Huka did not make the decision to cancel the Festival. That decision was made by the Pemberton Music Festival, LP. We are extremely disappointed for our fans, artists and all of our partners who have supported the festival over the years," they wrote.
For many, the Pemberton Music Festival situation feels slightly similar to the now infamous Fyre Festival in the Bahamas.
Luckily I'm STILL at Fyre Festival and didn't buy #PembyFest tickets
— Mack Cheyne (@MCheyne27) May 19, 2017
Dayum first #FyreFestival now #PembyFest it is the official curse of the music festivals. #WhatsNext #DAMN #Facts #DodgedABullet
— Big Mike (@KingKrizo) May 19, 2017
Hosted by Ja Rule and tech entrepreneur Billy McFarland, tickets for Fyre Festival cost between $2,000 and $12,000 and promised musical acts that included Major Lazer, Blink 182 and Disclosure along with yacht rides with gorgeous models.
When guests arrived, however, they found the site to be nothing like the advertised paradise, with garbage, wild dogs and old mattresses littering the site.
The infrastructure was nonexistent, and the festival staff either a skeleton crew or MIA. pic.twitter.com/8Gh6NevsFI
— Iron Spike (@Iron_Spike) April 28, 2017
Fyre Festival co-founder Billy McFarland has yet to refund a single ticket, but has promised those who purchased tickets free entry into next year's Fyre Festival.
Maybe it's time to plan a camping trip instead?
