I agree the risk/reward ratio for events is alot heavier on the risk and you can either just run away or lead the enemies around until event ends. The only benefit is farming mats from those enemies but even then your only going to be able to farm them if your overgeared.

Possible rewards (these are just random ideas to get the imagination going)
Survivng an event and actually clearing enemies gives longer respite from recurring events? In the same token, the ability to force an event?

Maybe clearing atleast a wave of enemies gives some reward that increases for every additional wave completed. Could be money, just to keep it simple, or depending which event could be some slightly helpful craftable item like some arrows? A metal bar? A crafted food item? A boss summon item? Nails? Fine wood? Complete like 10 waves maybe it just drops the mats for a random boat lol

Anyway keep the ideas coming a little reward I think is a good addition to events