Hi,
That sounds like one very scary time you had there.
In the UK we must get to a tested standard of flying, focused on safety, before we can fly at a public display covered by the BMFA (British Model Flying Association). As part of every display a site survey is conducted and this must follow guidelines given by the BMFA or else no flying can take place. The size of display area you describe sounds like it would not be large enough to meet the min size required here. If all of the pieces are ok, area, qualified pilots, etc, then we are covered by the BMFA public display insurance which is £8 million, I think. This is free to members of the BMFA and when my club are asked to do a display we always follow this proceedure.
I am currently organising a display where the area is too small for 'normal' models so only indoor electric foam models will be flown, still by qualified pilots only. If on the day something looks wrong I will switch to a static show only. It's just safer that way.

Please don't take this as preaching, I'm just sharing.

You are right not to give up on the hobby, just learn from this and move on.

I hope you have much more enjoyable displays in the future.