The Kultureland Festival was set to take place at the Markham Fairgrounds today, but quickly switched venues to Ajax Downs Racetrack just as doors were to open in Markham at 4pm. The festival celebrates Afro-fusion and R&B music. His first day was at Markham yesterday but today ticket holders were asked to drive to Ajax following a last minute announcement. It has created logistical problems for ticket holders, who are complaining about several problems plaguing the festival this year. “It’s really unfortunate for the people who came all this way from faraway places,” Nangoh Sarrah Traore said. “They didn’t let us know until the last minute.” Traore was one of many ticket holders who arrived at the empty Markham Fair Grounds, with security guards informing those arriving that the festival had been moved to Ajax and would start two hours later. “We spent a lot of money on the event, so we will go,” Traore added. At Ajax Downs, a messy parking lot with ticket holders queuing was the scene as the festival tents were hastily erected for the show to begin. It did little to cheer ticket holders, who had also learned that some performers had cancelled. “We planned the whole weekend around the festival,” said Sarina Perera. “I’m disappointed, it was a long day and a lot of money.” Perera said Sunday’s festival was due to start at noon but was pushed back to 4pm, before being moved to Ajax and pushed back again to 6pm. “We paid for a whole day, but now it’s only 6 to 11,” Perera said. “It’s very disorganized.” Ticket holders arrived at Ajax Downs Racetrack to queue for the start of the festival, which they say had seen issues with start times and artist cancellations, in addition to a last-minute venue change. (CBC) Some ticket holders are wondering whether or not to support next year’s festival after paying so much money. Beheshta Morad, who eventually made it to Ajax with her friends to attend the festival, said they spent a total of $374. He added that on the first day of the festival, Saturday, there were delays and cancellations. Those who paid for VIP tickets, like Morad, were lumped into general admissions, making it essentially pointless to upgrade their tickets. “I feel cheated, they promised all these people would come and they tell us in a short period of time they won’t come,” she said. There were no refunds for tickets either. “All ticket sales are final. No refunds or ticket transfers,” the festival’s website states. Kultureland organizers tweeted on Sunday evening that some artists were unable to perform. CBC Toronto attempted to contact the organizers via social media and did not receive a response. CBC Toronto also asked to speak to organizers at the event in Ajax and were told they would not be interviewed or comment. LINEUP UPDATE.We still have the rest of the lineup getting ready for a great night.✨ pic.twitter.com/LWkAp7GMbs — @KulturelandFest
