News
Rained Out
Email this story | Print this story
Friday, July 18, 2008 11:48 PM EDT
Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak Doris Bouza, left of Chesaning, and her friends Evlyn Moore and Sue-Ann Gramling, right, standunder the cover of an umbrella as they wait for a car full of their friends to pick them up after the Sugarland concert was canceled Wednesday night. “We’re just three die-hards left waiting out for our car,” Moore said. They came to the concert with a group of 16 friends.
CHESANING - A sold-out Showboat crowd waited around for about two hours for severe thunderstorms to pass and Sugarland to play.
And they'll have to wait until August.
“Unfortunately due to the severe weather we are forced to reschedule the concert,” said Kevin Meyer of Meridian Entertainment Group. “Sugarland recognizes it's a sold-out show and they want to do everything they can to reschedule.”
Unofficial reports from organizers indicate the makeup will be sometime in August. Tickets from Wednesday's show will be valid for the new date.
Meyer and Showboat officials said more information would be available at the end of the week. Visit www.chesaningshowboat.org for updates.
Meyer came on stage about 8:30 p.m. and told the crowd of about 6,600 impending weather meant a delay.
The crowd exited the venue just as thunderstorms hit.
Samantha Chapman and a group of friends from her work each paid $20 for general admission to the concert.
She said she would be back to watch the performance.
“We are kind of mad because we waited the whole time and they knew they were going to cancel,” said Chapman, of Durand.
Lead singer Jennifer Nettles takes 40 minutes to warm up before taking the stage, which factored in to the decision, Meyer said.
The large amount of water on the stage also was a safety concern, organizers said.
“The best thing for everyone is for them to come back and play a full show,” Meyer said.
According to the band's Web site, it has a show Friday in Twin Lakes, Wis.
Hundreds of concertgoers flooded the entertainment tent adjacent to the stage during the delay.
Local bands kept the raucous crowd entertained while playing atop tables and on the soaked stage in the entertainment tent.
“Tonight is a big night,” said Chesaning resident Kurt Nichols, jamming alongside his wife in the beer tent during the delay. “It's just kind of bad it had to rain.”
Stacy Koresh and her 8-year-old daughter Madison won tickets to the concert through a local radio station.
The poncho-protected pair cuddled close as gusty winds and rain began to push through before Meyer announced the delay.
“We're just hoping we don't get struck by lightning,” Koresh said with a laugh.
Fans did get to hear a six-song set by opening act Jeremy Lister.
The 29-year-old rock artist flew in from Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday.
“I normally don't do many country shows, but this is a great honor,” Lister said. “(Sugarland) is a great band.”
Sean Farney and girlfriend Amy Smith paid $49 per ticket to sit seven rows from the stage.
Farney was home on leave from Iraq, where he serves in the U.S. Army. He compromised with Smith and came to see Sugarland because she went with him to see Seether, Finger Eleven and Sick Puppies at the Showboat Monday.
“I'm not really a big country fan, but it's just nice to spend time with my girlfriend,” Farney, 24, said.
Smith, of New Lothrop, grew up performing with dance groups at Showboat.
“I miss the old Showboat, but this is cool too,” she said.
- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.
