The major casualty of the wet weekend was Saturday's annual Blues, Brews and BBQs festival at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds.
For the first time in its seven-year history, the event, run by the Rotary Club of Stortford Lodge, was cancelled for health and safety reasons.
Rotary Club spokesman Brian Burrough said the stage operator and electrical contractor supplying power to the food and beverage stalls was concerned for the safety of performers and patrons.
Event manager Kevin Murphy said there had been no alternative but to cancel, despite the festival being advertised as an all-weather event.
"When safety issues were placed in front of us, we had to listen," he said.
Last week, when it became apparent wet weather was likely, organisers investigated moving the event indoors to the Pettigrew Green Arena, the only indoor venue large enough to accommodate it, Mr Murphy said.
But a liquor licence for the venue could not be granted in time.
The Rotary Club has not confirmed whether it will refund tickets sold, and will meet this week to consider alternatives, including running a substitute event for which the tickets will be valid. Mr Burrough said the cancellation has left the club facing a loss of about $20,000.
"The club distributes all profits from the Blues, Brews and BBQs festivals within the community, and this will diminish the funds we use for community projects in the coming year," he said.
The club had not yet committed to running future Blues, Brews and BBQs events.
As one Rotary club member pointed out: "We've had 94 days of fine or cloudy weather ... and on the 95th [the event date], it rains."
Plug pulled on Blues, Brews and BBQs festival
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