Saga City has announced that it will refund approximately ¥12 million in stall fees to vendors affected by the cancellation of the Saga International Balloon Festa due to heavy rain. While the event’s regulations typically do not allow refunds for weather-related cancellations, Mayor Hidetaka Sakai explained that this decision was made as an extraordinary measure to ensure the festival’s sustainability in the future.
The event, scheduled from October 31 to November 4 along the Kase River, was canceled starting November 1 after the site faced potential flooding following heavy rain. Only two balloon competitions—on the afternoon of October 31 and the morning of November 4—were held. The festival otherwise featured no activities or vendor participation during the remaining days.
The refund applies to 151 stalls in the “Ikoi no Hiroba” area north of JR Balloon Saga Station, managed by the event’s organizing committee. Stall fees ranged from ¥14,000 to ¥350,000 depending on the location and business type. Saga City will cover the refunds using reserve funds, leading to a ¥14 million deficit, including lost revenue from parking fees and damage to event infrastructure such as flooded containers and collapsed tents due to strong winds. Source: NHK
Stay informed with the latest Fukuoka & Kyushu news and events in English. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter today and never miss a beat. Opt out anytime, your privacy is our priority. Get the inside scoop with The Now
Summaries based on public content, errors may occur during translation. Images credited independently. Send feedback using this form.