Day on the green: Revelers stuck in knee-deep mud after Geelong Festival lashed by heavy rain

Angry Day on the Green festival attendees questioned why the event wasn’t canceled after vehicles got stuck in a ‘4WD graveyard’ and revelers in ponchos were forced to wade in mud up to your knees.

Revelers have aptly renamed the festival “Day on the Brown” after the Mount Duneed estate in Geelong was battered by heavy rain and high winds on Saturday.

Hundreds of people donned ponchos and knee-high rubber boots to wade through thick mud to watch gigs like Crowded House, Angus and Julia Stone and The Waifs.

Festival-goers said they were left ‘cold, wet and angry’ waiting for shuttles to take them home after parking was reserved for 4×4 owners.

Others had no choice but to spend the night in their cars and wait for help from tractors after becoming stuck in the thick bog inside the makeshift parking lot.

A participant asked for help on social media after getting stuck.

“A lot of cars got stuck at Mt Duneed Estate for the day on the green. We can’t find anyone to help get the cars out,” they wrote. “If you can help, please come down”.

Footage of cars pulled out of the bog had frustrated attendees wondering why the festival hadn’t been canceled despite wild weather warnings.

“Organizers have no excuse, there was no reason not to expect such an amount of rain,” one woman wrote.

“Organisers should be ashamed the council canceled a gig in Melbourne, too bad A Day on the Green didn’t feel the same responsibility,” said another.

Partygoers donned ponchos and knee-high wellies as they waded through thick mud to watch bands like Crowded House and Angus & Julia Stone

Spectators renamed the festival ‘Day on the Brown’ after the Mount Duneed estate in Geelong was battered by heavy rain and high winds on Saturday (pictured)

However, other festival-goers were seen making the most of the wild weather with a man using wet slush as a makeshift slippery slide.

Another made a “mud angel” in the mud as the festivities continued into the night.

The muddy conditions came as a cold front swept through Victoria, bringing heavy rain, wind, freezing temperatures and even hail to the southern state.

The Victoria State Emergency Service received around 400 requests for help in 24 hours, with the wild weather forecast continuing into Monday.

Large hail and thunderstorms were expected to hit Melbourne on Sunday evening or Monday morning with a severe weather warning issued for dangerous wind.

Gusts of up to 85 and 90 km/h were recorded over parts of Victoria on Sunday with windy conditions and gusts of up to 100 km/h expected to continue on Monday.

Festival-goers said they were left ‘cold, wet and angry’ as they waited for shuttle buses to pick them up after parking was reserved for 4×4 owners

Some attendees opted to spend the night in their cars and wait for help from tractors after becoming stuck in the thick bog inside the Day on the Green’s makeshift parking lot.

Organizers Roundhouse Entertainment said the event went ahead after “extensive consultation” with stakeholders including police and emergency services.

“The consultation continued from Thursday to Saturday and throughout the duration of the show,” said the organizers in a press release.

“This included direct communication between our security manager and the weather office.

“At 5 p.m. Friday afternoon, an email and text message communication was sent to all customers advising that on-site parking was limited to 4×4 vehicles only and that a free park and ride shuttle service has been put in place to ensure that customers attend and leave the event safely.

“We take the safety of our customers very seriously and work diligently with the police, emergency services and other stakeholders to ensure this.

“All decisions made are made based on the advice at hand.”

Mt Duneed Estate said it was “upset” at how the weather had impacted the event.

“Organizers expected last night to be wet, but certainly not as wet as it has become,” a spokesperson said.

Images of cars pulled from the mud have frustrated attendees wondering why the festival hasn’t been canceled despite wild weather warnings

Roundhouse Entertainment organizers said the event went ahead after “thorough consultation” with stakeholders including police and emergency services.