### Families Disappointed by ‘Unforgettable’ Festival, Some Leaving After Just 20 Minutes
Families attending a weekend festival in Carmarthenshire have expressed strong dissatisfaction, with some leaving within minutes of arrival and branding the event a “shambles”. Advertised as a high-energy spectacle, the ‘High Octane Family Fest Weekender’ at Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran, failed to meet expectations for many attendees, leading to a wave of negative feedback on social media.
The festival, which ran from 24–26 May and promised an action-packed schedule including hot air balloon displays, live music, and an assortment of family entertainment, quickly drew criticism for offering far less than advertised. Early on in the event, parents took to online groups to warn others, suggesting they steer clear of the festivities, and shared photographs highlighting what they felt was a lacklustre set-up.
Among those sharing their disappointment was Robyn Morgan, who attended with her family on Saturday. Ms Morgan described the event as “absolutely shocking”, stating that her family “lasted 15 minutes” before deciding to leave. She warned others not to “waste [their] money”, pointing out that the event bore little resemblance to what had been publicised—even with fair weather. Her experience was echoed by others who felt similarly short-changed by the weekend’s proceedings.
She elaborated on her experience, listing the limited attractions: “There is one ramp for the BMX bikes, teacups, trampolines, one ride, and a crazy maze. One burger van, one sweet stall, one ice cream van, and you can see it all stood in one place,” she said. Ms Morgan added that several hot air balloon baskets were present but not in operation, and while there was a costumed character ambling about, there was “no music, no atmosphere”. Comparing the entertainment to a morgue, she stressed her belief that the heavily promoted event was not up to standard, especially given the ticket prices.
One anonymous attendee shared their frustration, noting that while the event’s promotion promised “motorbikes, medieval jousting, giant funfair”, the reality was starkly different. “There were three men on BMX bikes—who were pretty good, in all honesty—a hot air balloon that didn’t go up, and five very expensive fairground rides.” This attendee, who claimed to have paid £13.45 for early bird tickets (with others allegedly paying as much as £30), has since requested a refund. They highlighted the lack of basic amenities such as a bar or live music, and added that even the offered food was “overpriced”.
In a further sense of injustice, it emerged that organisers held a “flash sale” on Friday evening, offering last-minute tickets for just £3—a fraction of the price paid by those who had bought in advance. This has fuelled resentment among families, particularly those who felt the discrepancy in ticket pricing was unfair for such a modest offering.
Despite their promises of a “wonderful weekend”, the event’s organisers, High Octane Events, have yet to respond to media requests for comment regarding the negative feedback. In their promotional materials, the company had enthusiastically referred to the event as “unforgettable”, raising expectations amongst potential attendees.
A recent social media post from the organiser just prior to the weekend claimed the festival would feature “hot air ballooning, live music, fairground rides, motorbike shows and more”, further adding to the disappointment of those who felt shortchanged by the reality.
The situation raises important questions about truth in advertising and the responsibilities of event organisers. For families who had hoped to enjoy an entertaining and memorable weekend out, the experience serves as a poignant reminder of the risks that can come with purchasing tickets for large-scale public events without independent reviews.
Disgruntled families are now sharing their experiences widely, urging others to be cautious when purchasing event tickets online, and in some cases, reporting their dissatisfaction to consumer protection bodies. As the festival concludes, the organisers’ silence has left many locals demanding explanations and, in some cases, refunds. Whether this incident will lead to greater scrutiny of similar events in the future remains to be seen.