Ravers at two Middlesbrough festivals say people were left “stuck in the mud” after rain turned a popular park into a “mudbath”.
Hundreds flocked to Albert Park last weekend (July 13 and 14) for the Save The Rave Outdoor 90's and Look-A-Like tribute festivals.
But some punters were left less than impressed - saying that the muddy ground was so slippery in parts that it “was like quicksand".
Brandon Thurlwell - who attended Sunday’s tribute festival alongside his mum Julie, dad Paul, and brother Ian - claimed the ground conditions were “horrible” for festival goers.
Brandon Thurlwell at the festival (Image: UGC)
The two events followed a week of dreary weather across Teesside, with frequent bouts of rain continuing to dominate the forecast.
The 21-year-old explained: “We arrived just after 12pm. I got stuck in the mud. My mum even had to help a woman because she fell out of her wheelchair.
“We were told to stand on the grass but the grass was covered in mud too.”
A grainy image of the mud at the festival (Image: UGC)
The college student argued that the event should have been cancelled because “a lot of people were falling over” - something that prompted them to leave at 7pm.
The Eston man paid £27.65 for a special VIP ticket, which includes a queue jump, access to a VIP area, private toilets and a bar.
However, he slammed the setup of the VIP toilets, which he said were “blocking the stage area” and “didn’t work properly.”
The toilets were in front of the stage area (Image: UGC)
He continued: “It was okay but I was expected much more from the VIP. You pay extra so you would expect a lot more.”
Brandon has since emailed the firm behind the event in a bid to get some money back but has heard no response.
Meanwhile, another festival goer, who attended the Save The Rave festival on Saturday, told The Northern Echo that the muddy ground at this event was equally “ridiculous”.
The muddy ground left white trainers not so white anymore (Image: UGC)
She also claimed revellers were “falling over” due to the mud, with one image showing attendees standing in thick brown sludge near the stage.
Another issue raised was the lack of bins, with the woman arguing that empty cans, bottles, and plastic cups were "all over the ground." She also claimed the music was “really quiet”.
Save The Rave was billed as an all-day outdoor musical festival featuring 90s anthems, "jaw-dropping" visuals, street food trucks and stalls.
Meanwhile, Look A Like saw tributes to big-name acts such as Elton John, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Stone Roses, ABBA, and The Beatles.
Several people online have also reported similar concerns, with the event being rated two out of five stars based on 138 reviews on ticket outlet site Skiddle.
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While there was praise for the “excellent” music at the Look-A-Like event, concerns were raised over the “waterlogged” field and VIP toilets location.
Some reviewing Save The Rave - which had a three out of five rating on Skiddle - said they had an “amazing time” but again noted the “super muddy” field.
The Northern Echo has contacted both festivals for comment.
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