This weekend's Africa Oye Festival which was due to celebrate 20 years of hosting the largest & loudest FREE celebration of African music and culture in the UK has had to be cancelled due to the current severe weather.
A statement from organisers says:
"We are very sad to have to announce that due to heavy rain over the last few nights causing several Health and Safety issues in the set up of the festival site as well as the potential accidents that could happen over the weekend because of the weather, Africa Oyé has been forced to cancel this weekend's festival in Sefton Park.The African Music Festival, was due to be held on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June , and would have featured artists from nations right across Africa, and also from South America and The Caribbean who would have appearted at Sefton Park, in Liverpool for the two day family-friendly celebration of cultural diversity.
The stage crew have been unable to put the stage up in the current conditions and the vehicles that have already driven onto the field have left much of the area unfit for the festival.
We are very sorry at having to let you know at this late stage but we hope you understand that it is out of the organisers' hands and no decision could be made until this afternoon and the early signs were promising. Unfortunately, more heavy rain this morning has tipped the scales out of Oye's favour. The decision was not taken lightly.
However...
There WILL be an event happening this weekend away from the park - Africa Oyé is working on a contingency plan and we will bring you news as soon as it's been confirmed. Keep your eyes peeled to the social networks below:
Facebook.com/africaoye
twitter - @africaoye
Thank you for understanding and watch this space."
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