The organizers of the heavy metal festival in Wacken (Dithmarschen district, Schleswig-Holstein) are asking visitors to postpone their arrival.
Due to the heavy rain of the past few days, many of the areas intended for camping are not passable – the soil is soft. “Please stop your journey and look for a suitable waiting place where you are,” it said on Sunday.
Among other things, the red car park at the Hamburg-Volkspark motorway exit was opened to campers. The Hungriger Wolf airfield in Itzehoe is also available as alternative accommodation. In the social networks, many people offered private areas for music fans. Miles of traffic jams formed around the Schleswig-Holstein village on Sunday.
Even those who have already reached the festival site face problems. The visitors’ vehicles have to be pulled individually onto the camping areas because of the softened soil.
The organizers emphasize that the festival is not in danger. “Together we can do it again this year.” According to Norddeutscher Rundfunk, the police also assume that Wacken Open Air can take place. Heavy rain has been announced in Schleswig-Holstein for the next few days.
The festival officially starts on Wednesday, the arrival traditionally takes place a few days before. A total of around 85,000 tickets were sold. Wacken Open Air is the largest festival of its kind in the world.
Sources: Wacken Open Air, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, German Weather Service, DPA news agency
