Detroit China Festival Attendees Demand Refunds for ‘Disorganized’ Food Event | Eater Detroit

"An inaugural, heavily promoted Chinese food-and-culture festival held on Sept. 22 at Grand Circus Park drew large crowds but widespread complaints about organization and food availability. Organizers sold $5–$10 tickets online and advertised tastings from 15 local restaurants using an on-site token system, but attendees reported long entry lines, long lines to buy tokens, hour-long waits for food, and some stalls running out as early as mid-afternoon; at least one vendor was allegedly shut down by the health department. Frustrated ticket holders compared the problems to a recent failed local food festival and demanded refunds, prompting organizers to post an apology, set up refund lines, and say they issued hundreds of refunds while offering a limited Eventbrite refund window; they also disputed some claims about food shortages. Reactions were mixed, with some defending the first-time organizers (who said a last-minute venue change from Hart Plaza disrupted plans) and others still awaiting clear refund instructions as media sought comment." - Brenna Houck