Music lovers attending this year’s Pori Jazz festival will not be allowed to bring any form of liquids into the event, including milk for new-born babies.
Organisers claim that licensing laws are forcing them to clamp down on what revellers bring into the festival, with a ban on all liquids. This includes cartons of juice for children, flasks of coffee or tea and even baby-milk formula or water.
Alcohol is now forbidden because of the so-called “smuggling risk”.
Pori Jazz is one of the most established events on Finland's festival calendar, and has been known for its relaxed, picnic atmosphere and family-friendly ambiance.
This year the festival will have a large cloakroom area at the entrance for festival-goers to leave their belongings. Families must leave licenced areas by 9pm. Visitors are advised to bring identity documents with them.
Head organiser Juha Miikulainen says his phone has been ringing constantly with questions from ticket-holders querying the details of the new rules. He says that because of the ban they will lay on more sales points this year, at which revellers will be able to buy drinks including baby milk.
Last month organisers of Järvenpää’s Puistoblues festival blamed the tougher licensing restrictions for a dramatic drop in crowd numbers – with only half as many tickets sold this year compared to 2013.
But Miikulainen insists the licensing crackdown will not stop music fans enjoying a picnic atmosphere. Food is allowed to be brought in, he says, and revellers will still be allowed to lay down their own blankets on the grass.
Edit: Pori Jazz organisers decided later in the day to reverse their decision. You can read our story here.