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Rainbow Serpent music festival cancelled after bushfire damage in Lexton

The notorious Rainbow Serpent music festival has been hit by trouble again, with organisers cancelling the popular event after its site was razed by bushfires before Christmas. But it has revealed back-up plans in the works.

Rainbow Serpent Festival has been cancelled.
Rainbow Serpent Festival has been cancelled.

The Rainbow Serpent music festival has been forced to reschedule due to bushfire damage at its usual site in Lexton, country Victoria.

But event organisers said there were back-up plans in the works, including staging a smaller version of the festival in Melbourne’s CBD on Australia Day.

The other plan was to hold a working bee at the festival site over Easter to assist with bushfire-affected communities around Lexton, northwest of Ballarat.

The announcement was made to ticketholders last night after several weeks of uncertainty about whether it would go ahead, given the damage caused by a bushfire that hit the festival site on December 20.

Burnt hills around Lexton. Picture: Mark Stewart
Burnt hills around Lexton. Picture: Mark Stewart

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The electronic music event bills itself as “a multifaceted weekend of dance, colour, expression and celebration” and was due to run for three nights from January 24 to 27.

Organisers said in their update last night full or partial refunds would be available to those unable to attend all or one of the new events.

“We understand these dates and changes may not work for everybody,” it said.

“We ask everyone to please be sympathetic to the needs and wellbeing of the broader community at this time but also the incredible strain our crew are currently experiencing in trying to work towards an outcome that is acceptable, enjoyable and safe.”

The statement said more details would be announced on Friday.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/rainbow-serpent-music-festival-cancelled-after-bushfire-damage-in-lexton/news-story/137af9f833173c5bd965ac20af141417