Spectators were seated and drum corps were prepared to perform at War Memorial Field last weekend when the difficult decision was made to stop Music on the Mountain event before it even got started.

Watching as the impending storm rolled in and with Drum Corps International offsite meteorologists monitoring weather patterns wherever their corps is performing, DCI officials at Music on the Mountain were adamant about calling off the show.

“We are more frustrated than anyone,” said organizer Art Lane. “Every bolt of lightning equals a 30-minute delay.”

The first bolt was noted at 7:05 p.m. A second bolt at 7:45 p.m. which would move start time to 8:15 p.m. Shortly after, another storm cell was spotted heading their way. Organizers had already evacuated the stands and field, with spectators and performers moved to their cars, buses or inside the YMCA building and locker rooms. By 8:35 p.m. the decision had to be made to call off the show completely.

Now the paperwork begins.

Having a weather policy, Lane has filed an insurance claim in the hopes of recuperating some of the losses due to the cancellation. Lane will have to provide lightning reports to the insurance company along with “about 30 pages” of documentation.

With Music on the Mountain being a “No Refund” event, making good on community support and the spectators’ purchases of tickets to this year’s event is high priority to Lane.

“There’s a lot of ticked off people,” Lane said. “Keep your tickets,” he said while organizers figure out how to make things right. “We want to reassure the public that we’re not just taking their money and running”.”

Lane said that while he appreciates everyone understanding that the event was advertised as going on “Rain or Shine” the safety of the spectators and performers was paramount in the decision making. Visit www.smotm.org for the latest updates for 2025 Music on the Mountain ticket holders as well as the most effective way to contact the coordinator.