The “Readers Take Denver” event, aimed at book lovers and billed as a highlight for fans to meet authors and engage with fellow bibliophiles, turned into chaos, earning it the nickname “the Fyre Festival of books.” Hosted in Denver, the event promised a seamless experience with popular authors, signed copies, and a vibrant community atmosphere, but instead, it was marred by significant organizational failures.
Attendees experienced long waiting times, disorganization, and inadequate provisions, which dramatically contrasted with the event’s initial promises. The frustration was palpable among guests who had paid between $300 and $375 for tickets, expecting an organized and engaging literary festival. Instead, they encountered endless lines and a chaotic environment that lacked sufficient security, food, and basic coordination.
The situation escalated to physical confrontations; one attendee recounted receiving a black eye after being knocked to the ground amid the confusion. Another described a distressing scenario where she was yelled at by staff during a medical emergency. These accounts highlight the severity of the disarray and the attendees’ distress, prompting an outcry on social media that paralleled the infamous Fyre Festival.
Organizer Lisa Renee Jones, facing significant backlash, acknowledged the issues, attributing some of the chaos to logistical complications with the venue which led to excessive registration lines. She admitted the lack of proper preparation but defended her intentions to create a memorable event. Despite her explanations, the negative feedback was overwhelming, and the planned 2025 follow-up event has been canceled in response to the outcry, with many authors withdrawing over safety concerns.
This debacle serves as a sobering reminder of the crucial need for meticulous planning and robust management in organizing large-scale events, especially when high expectations and significant financial investments are involved.