Promoter says fake tickets caused Salmon Fest woes

The promoter behind this year's Salmon Festival is blaming an alleged counterfeit ticket scam for overcrowding problems.

SRO Entertainment told CBC News that people sneaking in to the show crammed the area closest to the stage.

The company's business manager, Rodney Macdonald, says there is now a police investigation into the matter.

The RCMP says it has no record of any such complaint.

Earlier this week, the mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor cited fans bringing in lawn chairs as the cause of the space crunch.

SRO’s Macdonald says about 21,000 tickets were sold, although he acknowledges there were thousands more people on the field.

The promoter doesn't have an exact attendance figure.

SRO Entertainment declined a recorded interview Tuesday, saying a written statement will be released at some point.

The company did say that no one asked for a refund before the show began, so none were given.

Top acts, but complaints about services

This year’s Salmon Festival featured a number of top acts, including The Eagles, Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo.

However, many concert-goers complained about an apparent lack of services, such as water that was expensive or unavailable as temperatures exceeded 30 C, and an overcrowded VIP section.

Grand Falls-Windsor Mayor Al Hawkins told CBC News this week that town officials are planning a review, which will include a decision on whether the VIP section will return for next year’s festival.

Lawyer approached about class-action suit

St. John's lawyer Ches Crosbie says he's been approached by people interested in filing a class-action lawsuit over the situation.

He says poor organization can be blamed for overcrowding and a lack of water on a hot day.

Crosbie says the water shortage posed a health risk.

He hasn't decided whether to proceed with a suit, but Crosbie says the promoter should try to make amends with concert-goers.