Those who ignored the ban were prosecuted under anti-hooliganism laws, and the festival ground to a halt. Then in 1985 came a nationwide crackdown on gangsters, forcing the Handans even further underground. It wasn't until 1989 with negotiation by some representatives of the county government and promises of gangsters not to cause trouble that the event made a comeback.
而後，在 1985 年實施「一清專案」後，更使得扮演寒單爺的兄弟們銷聲匿跡，直至 1989 年在幾位縣議員的奔走、加上道上兄弟們保證不滋事的情況下，活動才得以恢復。