Sorry OZ-Heads: NYC Cancels OZY Fest Due To Heat Wave

Cancelling OZY Fest?! Not a bold idea at all

As a potentially dangerous heat wave bears down on New York, city officials have made the call to cancel OZY Fest, a ticketed celebration of "bold ideas" and soft piano ballads set to take over Central Park this weekend.

Now in its fourth year, the private festival—$449 for VIP access—was scheduled to take place "rain or shine" on the Great Lawn. Alex Rodriguez had been tapped to host, joined by fellow bold-idea-havers like John Kasich, Mark Cuban, Malcolm Gladwell, and Mike Allen. The festival's organizers seemed to signal the party was a go minutes before the cancellation was announced.

But while OZY Fest was apparently willing to allow their bold-idea-receivers to bake in the Midtown sun, city officials stepped in on Friday afternoon to cancel. Nearly an hour later, it's not entirely clear whether the organizers have been informed of the closure.

"I don't know what Ozy Fest feels personally, I don't know their view," the mayor said during a press conference on the heat wave Friday, adding that the Parks Department is allowed to cancel events once the heat index reaches 105.

"The facts are the facts, you know, consistent reports from the National Weather Service, putting us at a 110 and greater on that heat index. 105 is the trigger. We’re saying we’re done here, this thing needs to be cancelled. So they may feel the same way, but we came to the decision that is was not appropriate for this go on. "

The festival has not acknowledged the cancellation on Facebook or Twitter, and a spokesperson did not respond to Gothamist's inquiries. While OZY's website currently notes that the event is "rain or shine," with promises of "unlimited free water, misting fans, shaded areas, heat relief tents, sunscreen dispensers and ice stations all weekend-long," the fine print on the Parks Department website is clear that the city can cancel an event on Parks property at any time for inclement weather. Tickets are non-refundable, barring exceptional circumstances.

Were you planning on hooking your brain into OZY Fest this weekend? Drop us a line at [email protected].

UPDATE: The company has confirmed the cancellation.

UPDATE: OZY Fest says it will refund ticket holders. Organizers issued a statement that included a quote from the mayor:

Due to historic temperatures in New York this weekend, the City of New York has cancelled OZY Fest. The National Weather Service issued an “Excessive Heat Warning” through Sunday, which happens when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 105 degrees or greater.

“The health and safety of New Yorkers is our most important concern, and we are left with no other option but to cancel all large scale park events throughout New York City Saturday and Sunday. We are working hand-in-hand with OZY and others to make this as smooth a process as possible,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

After reviewing all options with the City of New York and its supporting agencies, it was determined that it would be impossible to move the event to an alternate location this weekend.

“We absolutely cannot put any festival-goers at risk. We are so disappointed, and we hope to work with the City of New York in the future,” said OZY CEO Carlos Watson.

All tickets will be refunded. More information will be available soon.