Full Refunds For Cancelled Taste Events

Due to weather-related cancellations of the City Hall All-White Ball and the Tasting Village, the City of Hamilton announced they are “working with PTix to provide full refunds to all patrons who purchased tickets or tokens for the events.”

A City spokesperson explained, “Initially, we planned to proceed with Saturday’s dining experience based on forecasts suggesting a potential break in the weather. However, as conditions worsened, we had no choice but to cancel both Saturday’s dinner and Sunday’s Tasting Village to prioritize safety.

“We understand the disappointment, especially for those who worked hard to prepare, but safety for vendors, attendees, and staff had to come first. PTix will process refunds in the coming days.

“To assist Tasting Village vendors, the City is offering them the chance to sell their prepared items on the lawn of City Hall free of charge throughout the week. Vendors may set up Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This initiative aims to help vendors recover potential losses and gain exposure despite the cancellations. All vendors have been notified and are encouraged to participate.

“Additionally, any unused food from Saturday’s planned events will be donated to HOME, a charity supporting Bermuda’s homeless. We are grateful to Hamilton Princess & Beach Club for collaborating in this charitable effort.”

Jessica Astwood, Director of Marketing and Communications for the City of Hamilton, commented on the timing of the Taste of Bermuda weekend: “We scheduled the event for October based on public feedback that earlier dates were too hot for outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the high winds and rain made it unsafe to tent the events or move them indoors without compromising the experience. Moreover, we are required to hold events within the City, and no suitable venue could accommodate the crowd without significantly raising ticket prices.”

Ms. Astwood stressed that the decision was made after close consultation with all partners and stakeholders: “It wasn’t made lightly or in isolation. Safety was our top concern. Although we explored several alternatives, it wasn’t feasible to relocate the event or proceed under the current weather conditions.”

A spokesperson added, “Despite the cancellations, other Taste of Bermuda events earlier in the weekend were highly successful. Thursday’s kick-off at Cambridge Beaches and Friday’s Art of the Pour competition at Bacardi Headquarters were both sold out and provided first-class experiences unique to Bermuda. Guests enjoyed unforgettable moments, showcasing the creativity and excellence that Taste of Bermuda is known for.

“The City is proud to collaborate with local and international partners to bring world-class events to the Bermuda public. We are thankful for the ongoing support of our partners, including Mastercard, Bacardi Limited, Exclusive Group of Companies, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Burrows Lightbourne Ltd., and Barritt’s.

“We remain committed to delivering bespoke, memorable events and look forward to announcing future experiences. We appreciate the public’s understanding and support during this time.”