Hard Day of the Dead, a Halloween rave typically held at Los Angeles State Historic Park, has been canceled this year for the first time since 2008. The popular music festival has drawn hundreds of thousands of concert-goers for the seven years since it started, but the deaths of three people who attended Hard's summer concert in San Bernardino County have raised concerns about health and safety measures.
Alexandra Greenberg, a spokeswoman for Hard, said that concert organizer Live Nation canceled the event due to logistical issues, according to the LA Times. She declined to comment when asked if the decision was linked to the recent deaths.
Three concert-goers died after the 2016 Hard Summer festival. According to KTLA, the cause of death was never disclosed for the victims, all in their twenties, but life-threatening factors like dehydration and drug use at the festival left much speculation.
Dehydration, over-heating and drug overdoses are three of the most prevalent threats at these festivals. The LA Times reported that 14 rave-related deaths occurred between 2007 and 2012, five of which were caused by body temperatures topping 107 degrees.
The other victims died of amphetamine toxicity, high blood-alcohol percentages and ecstasy, methamphetamine, and LSD intoxication. Liberal drug use at festivals, and especially at raves, is well-known, but whether or not Hard should take responsibility for these practices has generated some debate.
"Festivals should take measures to prevent [these deaths] from happening, such as an age limit, stricter security, and most importantly dehydration prevention," said USC junior Brittany Abercrombie, who has been to raves. "Most festivals turn a blind eye to drug and alcohol use because of the liability."
Another USC student and festival-goer took a different approach. "Hard Day of the Dead, or any festival production company, can make their events as safe as possible, safety is ultimately decided by the festival goers themselves," said USC senior Sarah Livingston.
When asked whether or not the three deaths were the sole reason for this year's cancellation, Hard Day of the Dead's spokeswoman declined to comment.
Reach Staff Reporter Victoria Garrick here.
Annenberg Media