Lantern Fest under investigation
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on November 29, 2017 5:50 AM
The state attorney general's office has launched an investigation following a city of Goldsboro complaint alleging the organizers of the Lantern Fest marketed a Nov. 11 event after it was canceled in the city.
The Lantern Fest, originally planned in Fayetteville in October, was moved to Goldsboro but later canceled after the Goldsboro fire chief learned that the state fire code prohibits the release of the lanterns, which use an open flame to make the device airborne.
The city also issued a press release, in mid-October, to notify the public that the event would not take place in the downtown area and directed ticket holders to seek refunds through Sack Lunch Productions, the Utah-based parent company of the Lantern Fest.
"The city of Goldsboro has been advised that the Lantern Fest continued to market the event and to sell tickets after being advised by the city of Goldsboro that the event could not legally be held within the state of North Carolina due to the amended provision of the North Carolina fire code," said Ashlin Glatthar, Goldsboro-Wayne Travel and Tourism director.
"The city of Goldsboro is disappointed in the level of professionalism Lantern Fest has demonstrated with its customers."
The city has been denied a refund of a $6,250 sponsorship fee, which was paid to secure the event, and filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the N.C. Department of Justice.
"The city has been unsuccessful in their cordial efforts for reimbursement and will use legal means moving forward," Glatthar said.
The city is asking the Consumer Protection Division for assistance in recovering the money.
Attorney General Josh Stein has assigned an assistant attorney general to investigate the Lantern Fest and its business activity in the state, said Laura Brewer, communication director for the attorney general's office.
"I'm concerned about how the cancellation of these events has been handled," Stein said. "My office is conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether or not any of the consumer protection laws that govern our state have been violated.
"If that's the case, we will not hesitate to take legal action. I will do everything in my power to make sure North Carolina's consumers are protected."
The Consumer Protection Division has received complaints from the cities of Goldsboro and Fayetteville and 22 ticket holders, Brewer said.
"Our office is collecting complaints and conducting an investigation," Brewer said. "Our office is charged with enforcing the consumer protection statutes in North Carolina. If an investigation uncovers wrongdoing, the attorney general's office can take legal action that may result in restitution, fines, or other action."
City leaders say that Lantern Fest organizers were made aware of the state fire code restriction before the event was booked in Goldsboro.
After the cancellation, the president of the Lantern Fest told city officials that he would shut down event ads and close out the registration process, Glatthar said.
"They said they'd close the promotion but never did," she said. "They still didn't stop all the marketing and promotion."
The Lantern Fest Facebook site included a Nov. 10 post notifying the public that the Nov. 11 event would not take place in Goldsboro, Glatthar said. City leaders were concerned that the notification assigned blame on the city of Goldsboro for the cancellation.
On the day of the event, an estimated 20 people attended, Glatthar said.
The city, which wasn't involved in selling tickets, is not seeking refunds for ticket holders. The Lantern Fest has a no refund policy but allows tickets to be transferred to other event locations.
The city of Goldsboro has listed Lantern Fest's contact information on its website for anyone interested in trying to receive a refund. Also listed at www.goldsboronc.gov is a link to the state Consumer Protection Division, which is currently accepting complaints from the public.