This weekend’s four-day Bonnaroo festival is canceled, but not because of COVID. As the remains of Hurricane Ida brought heavy downpours to Middle Tennessee for two days, organizers announced that the ground is too wet to be able to dry out in time for the festival, which was set to take place September 2 to 5 in Manchester, Tennessee, about an hour and a half outside of Nashville.
“We are absolutely heartbroken to announce that we must cancel Bonnaroo,” a statement reads on the event’s website. “While this weekend’s weather looks outstanding, currently Centeroo is waterlogged in many areas, the ground is incredibly saturated on our tollbooth paths, and the campgrounds are flooded to the point that we are unable to drive in or park vehicles safely.
“We have done everything in our power to try to keep the show moving forward, but Mother Nature has dealt us a tremendous amount of rain over the past 24 hours, and we have run out of options to try to make the event happen safely and in a way that lives up to the Bonnaroo experience,” the statement continues. “Please find ways to safely gather with your Bonnaroo community and continue to radiate positivity during this disappointing time. WE WILL SEE YOU ON THE FARM IN JUNE 2022!”
Refunds for tickets purchased through Front Gate Tickets will be refunded within 30 days, to the original method of payment.
As COVID cases continued to rise across the country, Bonnaroo earlier announced that they would require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to be admitted to the festival, with unvaccinated guests also being required to wear masks.
Dozens of artists were scheduled to appear at Bonnaroo, including the Foo Fighters, Nelly, Lizzo, Breland, Niko Moon and more.