Organizers canceled the remainder of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Friday evening, according to a post on the festival’s social media pages.
The cancellation came after intense rain and an hours-long weather delay that prevented music from kicking off Friday afternoon. Scheduled as a four-day event, Bonnaroo takes place at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee.
“Today the National Weather Service provided us with an updated forecast with significant and steady precipitation that will produce deteriorating camping and egress conditions in the coming days,” Bonnaroo’s post stated. “We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo.”
All one-day tickets and parking passes will be reimbursed, and four-day admission and camping purchases will receive a 75% refund. All refunds will be processed to the original method of payment within 30 days, according to Bonnaroo’s website.
This marks the second time in five years that Bonnaroo faced cancellation due to significant rainfall. In 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extreme flooding that resulted in a rainout, according to the Nashville Scene.
The rainfall destroyed campsites and dampened the hope festivalgoers had of the events resuming.
“Everything is soggy, everything is soaked, everything is flooded,” said Jack Campbell, a first-time attendee. “[We are not] happy. We have been ready since [noon], and we are decked out and everything. We are really not happy.”
And the cancellation resulted in many fighting muddy conditions to leave the grounds Friday night.
“Instead of listening to live music and having fun all weekend, I am sitting in my car in a line I have been in for about thirty minutes,” Natalie Stepien said. “I’ll probably be here for a couple of hours before I can make it home.”
While artists such as Wilderado, Marcus King and Luke Combs performed on Thursday, other headliners, including Tyler the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo and Hoizer’s performances were ultimately canceled.
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