Toronto Color Festival

I got scammed by Toronto Color Festival. I purchased tickets in advance and was very excited to attend. As I was approaching the event, I could hear the music from the distance. I was walking through Woodbine park and the water park there was full of small children. Toronto Color Festival MC was dropping constant F-​bombs that the kids could hear very clearly. A couple from Guelph came to the event with small kids as it was advertised as a family event. They left right away due to vulgar language.
Once I got to the location, there was a massive line-​up to get in. I figured it’s normal and started waiting. The problem was, the line wouldn’t move. Next thing I noticed was lots of police officers running around. One of our group approached the police officers and asked what’s going on and they told that they’ve asked the organizer to present a proper event permit and failed to do so. Apparently, they we’re «looking for it.». The officers said the event will be shut down if the organizer can not find the permit.
Having already invested the time lining up, we decided to keep waiting hoping the doors would open but the story was the same every time we asked for an update, they were «looking for a permit». After lining up for 90 minutes I had to use the wash room and my skin was starting to burn after being exposed to direct sunlight. The end of the event was getting close and our faith of getting in was zero at this point. We left feeling very upset after investing a precious warm summer day for nothing. As we walked away we saw a massive line up of people trying to leave the event but no one was allowed to even leave. Someone informed us that the health department had been asked to intervene due to the missing event permit and no one was allowed to enter — or leave.
Once I got home, I explained to the organizers what happened and that I needed a refund. The response was arrogant and they just brushed me off and told no refunds are issued. Toronto Color Festival’s Facebook page started filling with negative comments that were all promptly deleted. We all make mistakes but when you don’t admit to making one that’s when things get unprofessional. I consider the money Toronto Color Festival took from me no less than theft.

All of the promotional shots and footage looked amazing so we decided to go to this festival. Bought tickets to this event well in advance to avoid the event being sold out and to avoid lining up to buy tickets at the event. When we got there, there was only one massively long line-​up. We decided to wait in line and after 15 minutes of waiting in line in the hot sun, one of the organizers came and said the line would be moving in 10 minutes. After that, we saw many police officers show up and we asked the organizer «what’s going on» only to be told that they needed to provide the officers with permits to the event. After waiting another 45 minutes (in the hot sun with no refreshments) to get inside we decided to leave. As we were leaving the line-​up was even longer for the main entry and re-​entry. All the time we were waiting, the music on the inside was blasting away while the DJ kept swearing even though this event was supposed to be all ages. So, after waiting in line for over an hour listening/​watching the people inside have a good time was a slap in the face. We also heard there were no washrooms inside the gated event. This was poorly organized, and we are VERY disappointed at driving there, buying advance tickets, waiting in line in the sun for over an hour only to NOT get in and drive home. Tsk, tsk. Hopefully next year they will get there act together.