Absoultely, we were ripped off. The fair was never stopped after the first storm. In fact as the night went on the weather got better and better.

The fact is they stopped the concert well short of the original posted hours on the State Fair Web Site.

Fair is not Fair to Concert Fans

Joni & John, Did you see this story? http://abcnews.go.com/US/indiana-state-fair-death-toll-higher-fluke-storm/story?id=14302288

Well put, Joni. Those were my exact words when explaining it to people today. I thought it was HORRIBLE that they just walked off and never even came back to say good bye or thank you. I think something else may have been going on. I think they wanted to cancel the concert due to the bad weather and the threat of more to come, but then maybe they would have had to refund the tickets. This way, they came out, sang a few songs, and then have the announcer say, " So glad we got a good concert in for you. Now please go and enjoy the rest of the State Fair." I absolutely will call the credit card company and dispute the charges simply on the principal for how the entire situation was handled. Shame on Band Perry AND Maryland State Fair!!!!

John Doe

4:08 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012

The only person that can issue refund is the management of the Maryland State Fair. I highly encourage all peoples who were screwed out of their evening and money to contact him:

Howard (Max) Mosner, Jr.
President and General Manager
Phone: 410-252-0200
Fax: 410-561-5610
Email: msfair@msn.com

http://www.marylandstatefair.com/index.cfm?page=about&id=12

The Band Perry did not treat their fans badly. I was there in the third row. The Maryland State Fair handled it badly, not TBP. Sure, I am beyond disappointed that I didn't get to see my favorite group's full show, but think about it.. Would you rather have them cancel the show or have the chance of the band/someone else being hurt or even killed?? If you can see lightning or hear thunder, you could be struck. It was the fair's choice to leave the rides & such open & the dumb people's choice to risk it. It was TBP's choice to stop the show because they wanted to keep not only themselves but their fans safe. As for the band running off the stage without explaining, I saw what happened. Right before they ended the last song, a huge bolt of lightning went off near by. I saw the fear on Kimberly's face & saw her nod to Reid. They were at huge risk of being struck on the stage. They didn't come back on to tell the fans what happened because over half the crowd had gone to seek shelter. The Band Perry cares for their fans just about more then any other artist. You all blaming them for what happened & saying they are horrible must have not ever been true fans or fans for very long because you would know just how much they love their fans & all the hours they spend meeting them & signing things. How were they supposed to know that a huge storm was coming? I do want a refund, but it is the Maryland State Fair that controls that, not TBP. Quit hating. I <3 TBP!

Y'all will really feel bad now... I forgot to mention this. Rob Beckham, who represents The Band Perry, posted this on twitter: "For all you @thebandperry fans. Last night in MD the weather was awful. We are working on a plan. Stand by! RT" Here is the link: https://twitter.com/robbeckhamwme

I hope that makes you feel just awful!

The problem was that there was still lightning in the sky when they allowed fans to go back into the venue. That was a big no-no. They should have cancelled at that point instead of trying to get in a few songs to claim a show. Lightning is lightning. They don't let swimmers back in the water because they know the danger is stil there. It was a complete mess. What was with the colored arm bands? There was nearly a riot when they let the 7pm arm bands go first. People were angry at the staff member that did that. Then when the troopers got there she had the nerve to say "you can't make everyone happy." It wasn't about making everyone happy, it was about them following the same rules they wanted us to follow. Of course the folly of the arm bands came after the evacuation when they just let everyone in. This doesn't happen in other state parks where I have been and they have allowed people to calmly enter the park throughought the day. More than that one newscast said there were 3,000 people there. So at what point do they decide to use the perfectly good stadium seating there, or did they just pocket a whole bunch of money at our expense without having to rent out the stands for the actual concert? And yes, if they can't thank the thousands of people who stood in the rain for hours profusely for waiting, and they can't say goodnight then they were rude.

My husband called it, when we were in the stands, where was the band? I know they had to save up their voices, but they do have management who could have cared about us enough to talk to us. I saw the bus doors open several times so someone had time to walk around as we waited. The could have been classier that's for sure.

And yeah, we all know the weather was awful. We had to stand in the rain while they were in the trailers.

Read this: http://www.thebandperry.com/news_single.aspx?nid=9861 . Shame on YOU ALL for thinking that they would do something like that to their fans. They truly were concerned about our saftey. Yes, the concert may be a year away, but think of how many other artists would just take the money & run... They aren't those kind of people. Besides, the fair is over on Monday & it would be nearly impossible for them to make it their so soon. I hope you all are happy. Does anyone remember the poor people at the Sugarland concert last year? Several people DIED due to the weather. What if someone had died last night? It is possible to get struck by lightning if you can see it or hear thunder. The fair was in charge of the rides & stupid for leaving them open. I think TBP made the right choice. The Band Perry has not lost my love & support by making a decision that could prevent fatal injuries or death. ::Thank you TBP! <3::

Sarah, you really need to calm down and walk away. IT was stupid for the band to take the stage and stupid for them to not address fans. Yes we are all aware that people have died are you aware that there was so much water on the stage and damness in the air and lightning in the sky that the band could have died even with such a short set? Are you aware how rude they were to never address their fans? Are you aware that this isn't a resheduled concert for those who were left behind this year but what will be a free for all next year? Have you ever performed on stage? Are you aware of professionalism? Are you aware that people are entitled to their own opinions? Shame on you for not considering the time people wasted on their labor day weekend for a band that has still refused to thank the people who stood in the rain. Shame on you for not honoring the gas money that these people paid. Shame on you for being so spun up and angry that you decide that everyone else is wrong but yourself.

Shim Habu, I too spent lots of money for this concert & am proud to say I don't regret it. =) TBP put on a wonderful half hour. People need to understand outdoor concerts are risky due to weather. They were being safe. You all would be screaming bloody murder if someone had been injured. So, either way you would be upset. And it isn't a "free for all next year," it is for the people on Saturday night. They didn't have to do that. Most artists would never consider doing this. They are wonderful people & not to mention an amazing band. If they tried to thank their fans or say sorry through twitter or a video, some people would forgive them, but others would be at their throats complaining even more. I can't believe they are coming back because y'all are being so rude. And ONCE AGAIN: They couldn't come back on stage because of the lightning. Your loss if you no longer like them!

Sarah, not everyone can be here next year and we are forced to pay for a concert that was not delivered. Please don't tell me how I would feel. You are not me. If you understand musical history better, you would know that every band has to deal with weather and other stage problems. How a band hanbdles the mistakes and problems will hurt or help them. Mexico loved Selena and they have never forgiven Britney. You will find that country music fans are very loyal but only when they are treated well. This was a huge snafu and ALL parties involved reacted POORLY. I am sorry that you still feel THAT YOUR OPINION is the only one that matters. You will find as you journey through life that people will trteat you poorly on purpose because they see that you do not stick up for yourself, and that you will be involved with many arguments because you are unwilling to even listen to other people or show empathy. Neither are our problems. And sweety, I spent the same amount of money. Which time were you in the 3rd row? Next year there will be plenty of room for you in the first row, because people want their money refunded. They were treated so poorly and a riot nearly broke out before the show, that they don't want to be herded like cows just to sit before an ungrateful band.

Or how about Lady Gaga, sang despite fatigue, even when needing to lay flat on her back. Diagnosed with an autoimmune disease which caused her to cancel a concert. The next morning on Oprah you could see the heartbreak in her eyes as she sang seated. She managed to reschedule for 1 to 2 weeks later, I forget which. Do you know how many people cancelled on her? 1. TBP will not be able to say the same.

Yes Bart, stuff happens. This is not the only webpage full of complaints. And it is interesting that they only ones defending TBP are trying to use the "grow up" argument. Stuff happens all the time and artists are remembered for how they handled "the stuff." And had you guys been paying attention, this isn't just about the band, but about the Fair Officials, the ticket agents, the lack of security and the handlers of the band. It's pretty well unanimous that this was one fo the worst planned concerts from the ground up. Abusing those who speak up just adds to the problem.

M. Sullivan - The Maryland State Fair is put on by the Maryland State Fair and Agriculture Society, Inc. It is a private organization, NOT a STate agency.

As I stated earlier, if the Fair had concerns for safety they would have closed the entire operation! The rides and games "where the real money is made" never stopped after the first line of storms came through. I don't blame TBP, I blame the Fair for such a poorly run operation. In general the public was not well informed about the incoming weather and were bein send mixed messages by the organizers. Concert goers were seekin shelter under the grandstand, while all the rides continued to run. So it's not safe to sit and watch a concert with a few
Flashes of lightening, but it is safe to get on a mostly metal ferris wheel and go up in the air 50-80 feet in the air? Makes sense! As for the upcoming solution, I'm sorry but I am not going to let the Fair or anyone else hold in to my money until next years potential concert at the fair. Don't be fooled by the fair, they are a business and money is what they care about.

Just to clarify a point. If I were the band I would not have wanted to be on the stage when I was being told it was dangerous to be on it, nor would I have come back out to say sorry or goodnight because if that danger. In addition I did not want my wife and two children to be in any danger either so that is why we left when we were told it was dangerous to stay.

My problem is with the solutions being offered right now. A potential concert a year from now is unacceptable. Four songs and the poorly managed operations equal
Refund in my book anything less is unacceptable.

John blake, I agree with you. TBP made the right decision. I did not want my family out their either with the lightning going on & I didn't want anyone else hurt either. If anyone is to blame, it is the FAIR. I have no idea what was up with the wristbands. Why even have separate times if you're going to just let everyone in anyways? Other then the concert next year, I'm never going to the State Fair again. I'm assuming they are re-doing the concert next year because the fair ended yesterday. Otherwise, I know they would do it sooner. I wonder if they've considered another small, BETTER venue in Maryland? As for the tickets being refunded, it is still a possibility. They haven't said they aren't yet & they said there will be more info within the next few days. Anyways, I still love them & will always support them.

Dear All - Have you read this link?: http://www.whosay.com/thebandperry/content/385448?wsref=tw&code=MNF45GD (They are taking care of the situation) - Stop and think...This was for YOUR safety...Please put this in perspective...

There are innocent children dying every second all over the world. There are families without homes. People without jobs. Women and children forced into sex trafficking every day. Individuals young and old suffering from life-threatening/taking illnesses, praying to live and see one more day...This is a ticket to a performance at a fair.

It's a shame you can't spell lightning correctly. This is a terrible piece and I am disappointed in Patch.com for even running it. I come here for news, not blatant opinion.

I guess this is what happens when you let anyone have permission to post and publish a blog.

You are right, it was dangerous for them to take the stage. Which is why it was stupid and foolish of them to take the stage to begin with. It was also very dumb for them to not have security enough for the crowd that showed up. It was also dumb that the people who were in the front of the line, RAN through the mud to make sure they would make it into the front of the field. Waiting a year to reschedule is almost unheard of. And if they truly care about thier fans, then why did they delete their facebook post with coverage of this? But truly $30 for a fair ticket with a concert is not "a lot" of money. The right decision---that would have been to not take the stage at all.