Wet weather forces Cinema Pop Up cancellation

The event at Elizabeth Park was scheduled to commence on Thursday night with a screening of Christmas movie Elf, however was abandoned when storms and heavy rain struck.

Ararat Rural City Council met with Event Director Kate Hardwick Friday morning where it was decided to cancel the following three nights for safety precautions.

“We are all very disappointed this fantastic event won’t go ahead, as there has been a lot of hard work and months of preparation behind the scenes from Ararat Rural City Council staff and Mix Tape Media who put Cinema Pop Up together,” Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Glenda McLean said.

“However no amount of planning could have prepared us for a weather event of this nature and it has been decided for the safety of the community and staff to cancel all four nights.

“It is hard to predict exactly how much rain we have still to come, but what has already fallen has made Elizabeth Park very wet underfoot and it just wouldn’t cope with the large crowds we were expecting based on pre-ticket sales.”

Information regarding the cancellation will be sent directly to those who purchased online tickets for Cinema Pop Up, which totalled more than 800 pre-sales, as well as to the wider community.

Cr McLean said it was important for community members to follow weather advice from authorities throughout the weekend.