Event is canceled a week beforehand
Sammy Hagar’s Second Annual High Tide Beach Party & Car Show has been canceled by the California Department of State Parks and Recreation. The event was slated for next weekend, September 28th and 29th, in Huntington Beach, but State Parks Superintendent Kevin Pearsall says promoter Freeze Management “did not meet permit requirements” as they failed to pay all the associated fees, including those related to public safety, according to the OC Register.
“For the first time ever, that I’ve experienced, we are a week out and we were unable to collect fees for any of the required elements of the permit, which included law enforcement, medical and fire,” Pearsall says in a press release. “We couldn’t get any of the documents from [Freeze Management] to finish up the Fire Marshall element or the ABC license. Everything has timelines and limits and every single one of them were not met.
“We decided today, at this point, with literally nothing in place, the best thing to do was not to approve the permit.”
Freeze Management claims a different story and could pursue litigation. “Our company can’t comment on pending litigation but there are two sides to every story,” the company tells the OC Register in an email. “Thousands of music fans and car enthusiasts had a wonderful, memorable experience last year and we were very much looking forward to expanding on that for 2019. All of our vendors, sponsors and performing talent are equally dismayed that this will not happen as intended in Huntington Beach, and ultimately the fans lose the most because they’ve been looking forward to the event for months — some even planning travel from across the country and around the world to visit California to enjoy it. We are grateful for the support received so far from fans, artists and sponsors.”
The promoter claims there’s no way to relocate an event this size within a week. All ticket holders are set to automatically receive a refund from the original point of purchase.
Hagar took to social media to express his disappointment, but confirms he’d make it up to fans in the form of free shows. “Like you, I’m surprised & disappointed about High Tide, and sorry for the fans who are inconvenienced – I’ll make it up to you Redheads, starting with an extra free show Oct 8 w/ the Wabos in Cabo! (old style – first come, first served),” Hagar shares in a video message.
Sammy Hagar & The Circle — featuring Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham & Vic Johnson — were set to headline the event with special guests Richie Sambora, The Beach Boys, Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Night Ranger, Blue Oyster Cult, Extreme and more. The event was also slated to feature cars and entertainment alongside a selection of delectable food and drink experiences specially-curated for fans to experience the ultimate all-weekend beach party.
Last year’s inaugural event featuring The Circle, Neil, REO Speedwagon and more sold out.
