The Electric Zoo Festival at Randall's Island, New York was cut short August 31 after organizers canceled the EDM fest because of dangerous weather. "Electric Zoo NY has shut down for the remainder of the festival due to extreme weather conditions. We apologize to fans, but your safety is our main concern," the festival tweeted just before 5 p.m. EST. "Please follow all NYPD and #EZoo security instructions. Thank you!" Attendees were told to evacuate the festival grounds six hours before Electric Zoo was scheduled to end. The festival also reiterated that, even if weather conditions improved, there would be no re-entry.
A flash flood warning had been issued in the New York City area just before the festival was halted. Kaskade, Chase & Status, Bingo Players, and Alesso were among the acts scheduled to perform the evening of August 31. Following the cancellation, Kaskade joked on Twitter, "Ummmmmm. No. I just have one question…. Soooooo…… Who has the keys to @barclayscenter???" New York EDM also posted a photo of festival-goers clearing out from Randall's Island as dark storm clouds rolled in.
This was the second straight year the final day of the Electric Zoo fest in New York has been cancelled, but for different reasons: In 2013, city officials demanded organizers shut down Electric Zoo after two concertgoers overdosed while at Randall's Island. Additionally, four more people were hospitalized and another 31 were arrested. While organizers refunded attendees after canceling the third day of the 2013 EZOO, it's unclear whether similar reimbursements will be made for nixed 2014 date.
