UPDATE Saturday, 5 p.m.:
The event coordinator responded to the cancelation, telling 23ABC "truly respect the expertise of our search and rescue personnel who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe."
The coordinator also said that he will "be working over the next few weeks to organize another less dangerous event to support their organizations."
The full statement:
"On behalf of my community, supporters, and friends I want to thank the Sargent (sic) Zach Biddle of the Kern County Search & Rescue, Chief Douglas Greener of the Bakersfield Fire Department, Chief Lyle Martin of the Bakersfield Police Department, and Director Jason Meadors of the City Water Resources. Our community is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of local officials looking out for our safety and the safety of those around us.
I want to thank the past attendees of the annual float and while it saddens me to cancel this year’s event, I truly respect the expertise of our Search & Rescue personnel who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. I would also like to remind the local media that I’m not an organization, company or 501c3. I’m an individual and I kindly ask that those who are continuing to seek comment please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my friends and family.
I want to remind my friends and supports of the facts the officials have shared with me. Please be aware of the hazards the river presents currently. According to our fire department the flow will be twice what it was in past years and will not be safe to float for the remainder of the summer.
In an effort to thank our local first responders, I’ll be working over the next few weeks to organize another (less dangerous) event to support their organizations. It’s my hope that you’ll help me shape this event. Please post your suggestions for a “thank you” event in the comments.
Thanks again.
Your friend and community member,
Danny Beeman"
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A controversial Kern River party event has been canceled following safety concerns, organizers announced Friday.
The annual "Boobz and Tubez" event -- scheduled for September 2 -- was canceled Friday, as announced on the event's Facebook page.
The development came under scrutiny by Bakersfield Fire officials, who also took to Facebook Friday to say the event posed a "significant hazard."
BFD posted an update after the initial notice, addressing concerns about the name of the event -- and underscored their fears about the river's dangers.
"BFD Firefighters apologize for the colorful event title, but we felt our warning posted to that event site was important enough to share as a warning to our followers that might be considering participating, and as a general reminder to everyone to PLEASE not enter the Kern River," fire officials posted Friday.
