ThrillNetwork.com :: Hip-hop fest cancelled at Kings Dominion

News: Hip-hop fest cancelled at Kings Dominion

By Aaron

Aug. 17th, 2004 -- For seven years, Paramount's Kings Dominion (PKD) and Black Entertainment Television have teamed up to create the park's annual College Hip-Hop Fest. Now, however, the park has decided to discontinue the event.PKD general manager Richard A. Zimmerman attributes the cancellation to low student turnout. African-American students from East Coast colleges have typically been the primary performers and visitors to the festival.

However, the sinking number of visitors may not be the only reason for the festival's demise. Although PKD does not mention it, the Hip-Hop Fest has been linked to a number of shootings. Last year, three people were shot, including one who was killed. Two shootings occurred in the park's parking lot, another happened at night after the festival. Despite additional security, another homicide was committed at this year's festival.

For more information on this story, see the Richmond Times-Dispatch.