DECATUR, Ala. (WAFF) - The Rock the South music festival scheduled for this weekend has been postponed to Oct. 1-4.
The City of Decatur and festival organizers announced the rescheduling due to unprecedented amounts of rainfall across Alabama this past week.
“The monumental amount of rain that has fallen at the event site gives us no choice but to postpone the festival. We are thankful that the headliners are available for the new dates, and appreciate the patience and support of all involved as we look to put on a great Rock the South later this year.”
— Festival Organizers
All three previously announced headliners remain on the lineup: Zach Top on Thursday, Oct. 1; Jason Aldean on Friday, Oct. 2; and Riley Green on Sunday, Oct. 4. The festival weekend will now expand to four days with a headlining performance from Jessie Murph on Saturday, Oct. 3 at no additional cost to ticket holders.
Most scheduled artists are able to perform on the revised dates. Festival organizers will announce the updated daily lineup in the coming weeks.
“The safety of our festival attendees, artists, and staff is paramount, and we’re confident that the rescheduled dates will ensure an enjoyable festival experience for all.”
— Festival Organizers
Festival tickets and camping packages for the original dates will be honored on the newly rescheduled dates. Festival organizers will email purchasers next week with details for those unable to attend Rock the South this October.
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“We were definitely ahead of schedule and everything was ready to go but there’s just no way to prepare for seven inches of rain in 24 hours,” Shane Quick said.
For the first time in 15 years, festival leaders say they have to push Rock the South back.
“Just having the ability to park everybody and for the fans out there to have this experience,” Shane Quick said. “And another thing too. If it were to rain again it would be at a level that wouldn’t be safe as people were out there. So our goal is to keep people safe and have the most enjoyment that they possibly can.”
Hotels and other accommodations are a different story. Customers will have to figure that out on their own.
“I was very shocked, i mean 48 hours, that’s not a lot of time for people coming from out of town that have booked hotels,” Candie Watson said. “I feel sorry for those people.”
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Candie Watson owns a business in downtown Decatur.
She says downtown shops have been preparing for the crowds of people to come in. They were relying on those sales.
But she says she’s remaining optimistic and hoping they come back in October.
“We had windows set up actually and we’ve posted on all the rock the south pages that we have rock the south gear,” Watson said. “We had boots out everywhere and hats out everywhere. So we were anticipating the sales.”
They have also added a day, making room for local talent Jessie Murph to become a headliner.
The daily lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
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