Festival opening at Lansdowne Park was called off on Friday following gunshots incident.
In a surprising turn of events, the organisers of YOWFest, the inaugural music festival aimed at celebrating Canada's diverse linguistic and artistic tapestry, have announced the cancellation of the event following a gun incident at Lansdowne Park.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, with gunshots reported at approximately 4:20 p.m., as reported by the Ottawa Police Service. No injuries were reported, and the police presence increased significantly as they searched for a suspect.
True North Sports & Entertainment, the organiser of the event, initially intended to delay the start of the festival but later decided they could not proceed with the day one lineup, which included 22 acts, including Xav Trudeau, the son of former prime minister Justin Truddau. The remainder of the festival on Saturday, with 16 acts scheduled to perform, was also cancelled following the cancellation of day one.
The organisers expressed their disappointment in a statement on Instagram, emphasising that the decision was made with deep care and consideration. They also thanked the police and private security for their efforts to bring the situation under control swiftly.
Staff are currently working with the City of Ottawa on dismantling the event stage. Those who bought tickets online will automatically receive a refund, while those who bought tickets directly from an artist must contact the artist to arrange a refund.
As of Saturday morning, there was no word of any arrests in connection with the shooting incident. The City of Ottawa and Lansdowne Park have expressed their regret for the cancellation and hope to make YOWFest a success in future years.
YOWFest aimed to be an annual music festival in Ottawa, celebrating the diverse linguistic and artistic tapestry of Canada, with performances in English and French. The organisers hope to return next year with a safe and enjoyable event for all.
