Would be festival goes still water for refunds after cancellation
SEMINOLE, Fla. - After Florida’s 2024 hurricane season forced music festivals like Country Thunder to cancel its Kissimmee event after Milton, some Tampa Bay residents are still waiting for refunds. They were promised two and a half months later.
Country Thunder Florida was set to take over Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee for three days this fall.
Country Thunder music festival logo.
Seminole resident Courtney Lucciola attended the festival last year.
READ: New Florida laws take effect Jan. 1: Here’s what to know
"We had such a great time. We wanted to go again, so we bought tickets. We were taking one of our older boys with us who just turned 16," said Lucciola.
Then Hurricane Milton hit, forcing the event to cancel plans and not reschedule. Lucciola said she spent almost $1,200 on tickets.
"They're like, you know, you'll get an email stating that the refund will start processing," she said.
But two and a half months later, Lucciola said her family is still waiting.
READ: St. Pete to begin final pass for storm debris collection next week
"We've been kind of dragged along after the initial post from Oct. 11 saying that refunds were going to be given within 30 days," Lucciola said. "The 30-day mark hit, then it turned into, well, it's technically 30 business days."
Country Thunder music festival logo.
A Dec. 12 social media post from Country Thunder shared that all tickets would be refunded no later than Dec. 26, but that date has come and gone.
"It's hurtful, you know, for a company who is doing this. And people are still waiting for their refunds, and now they're already promoting the one for Tampa in 2025," said Lucciola.
On Friday, a spokesperson with Country Thunder Music Festivals shared the following statement with FOX 13 News:
- "We are happy to confirm that all refunds for Country Thunder Florida 2024 were processed on our end by Friday, December 20. If any fans haven’t seen the funds in their account yet, please note that it may take additional time for the banks to complete the transaction. Due to the holidays, bank hours are affected and may cause a delay. Thank you for your patience."
Part of the statement Country Thunder Florida made to FOX 13 News:
Lucciola said she’s had patience, especially after a natural disaster.
READ: Residents could see higher electric bills after Friday filings by energy companies
"I still don't have my refund like it's not pending in my bank. We called our bank this morning. They said there's no trace whatsoever of the refund. Nothing's even in process to our bank account, you know, which is for our debit card," Lucciola said Friday. "The way that they handled this situation is what is the most upsetting."
As for making Country Thunder Florida a family tradition like she originally planned, Lucciola said she would not buy tickets to the festival again.
Lucciola said none of her friends who bought tickets have received their refunds.
Adding to the financial pain, Lucciola said the Airbnb she booked for the canceled event won’t refund her either.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter