Thunderstorms are pretty common in our region in August. And that can make outdoor events a little tricky.
Unfortunately for the thousands of fans in attendance at the Aug. 18 Backstreet Boys concert at the Hersheypark Stadium, the area was hit with two storms in succession, first delaying, then ending the concert prematurely.
So if you have tickets for the Kiss concert on Aug. 21, and you’ve taken a look at the weather forecast for the week, you might be worried. Here’s what you should know about how Hershey Entertainment handles potentially dangerous weather, and some tips on how you should prepare:
- Know what to bring
Rain is always a possibility for an outdoor event. That said, umbrellas aren’t an option at the stadium: they are not allowed inside the gates. It wouldn’t be a terribly fun show if the person in front of you was blocking your view with one, even if you were staying dry with your own (and thus blocking the view of the person behind you).
But if you are concerned about rain, you are welcome to bring a poncho or other water-resistant gear. For Hersheypark Stadium FAQ, including info on what you can and cannot bring inside, take a look at their website here.
READ MORE: Hersheypark explains why Backstreet Boys concert was postponed
- Keep an eye on social media
It’s hard to know what’s going on while out at the stadium if you’re not plugged in to online updates. The best way to get news about what’s happening is by checking your phone for updates on Hershey Entertainment’s social media pages.
“In addition to understanding all venue policies, we would encourage all of our guests to follow us on our social media channels (@HersheyPA on Twitter and @HersheyEntertainment on Facebook) for any weather or show related updates.” said Quinn Bryner, director of public relations and strategy at Hershey Entertainment.
This is good advice before you head out to a concert, but in the event of an emergency, it’s potentially even more valuable to do after you’ve arrived.
- Have a plan for arrival and departure
As outlined in the FAQ page, the gates to the stadium usually open 90 minutes before the concert starts. But parking in the Hersheypark lot can be done ahead of that 90 minute window, as many a tailgate afficionado can tell you. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to get a parking space near the stadium (though, granted, you’re also competing for parking with Hersheypark guests) and the shorter walk you’ll have back to your car.
READ MORE: The Backstreet Diaries: One man’s saga of the postponed Backstreet Boys concert at Hersheypark
Similarly, Hersheypark Drive often comes to a standstill when concert traffic is released. The main exit from the Hersheypark parking lot empties onto this busy thoroughfare, which may be even further congested due to foot traffic of concert-goers heading to the alternate parking lots across the road. So if you’re able, taking the long way around the town of Hershey might be a good way to beat traffic and ease up on the congestion ever so slightly.
- Roll with the punches
Even with the best plans and preparations in place, there’s no changing the weather. Sometimes, some things are going to be beyond anyone’s control, and one of those things is a dangerous thunderstorm.
“We understand that our guests expressed frustration over the rapidly changing weather conditions during Sunday night’s show,” Bryner said. “Those changing conditions led to the postponement of the concert after the initial delay caused by the first storm. Had the second storm not materialized so quickly in our area, the show would have continued to completion. Because of the changing conditions, some of our guests mistook our reaction to those changes as indecisiveness or mixed messages on our part.”
READ MORE: Backstreet Boys apologize as fans’ fury fills social media following postponed Hershey concert
Bryner said that postponing a show is a complicated decision, but one that is always made in coordination with the performing artists, based on the best available weather data, and done with consideration of the safety of guests, artists and employees.
“We care deeply about the guest experience and are reviewing all aspects of the evening to determine if there are opportunities to improve our established evacuation and communications plans,” Bryner said, adding that plans are being considered to expand the use of the public address system to direct guests in similar evacuation conditions.