The South’s biggest party will be back this year, event organizers announced on Monday.
Rock the South is slated to return August 13-14, 2021, with a top-flight lineup of musicians that fans can enjoy hearing live from Cullman, Alabama. Last year’s event was unable to be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After intensive planning and research over the past several months, event organizers and the City of Cullman believe that late summer will be the perfect time to bring the high-profile event back for its tenth year.
“With the recent announcements made concerning Alabama’s mask ordinance ending on April 9 as well as The University of Alabama’s decision to return to traditional in-classroom instruction for fall 2021 and plans to open Bryant-Denny Stadium to full capacity for football games, we are following models that predict COVID-19 herd immunity will be achieved by late spring or early summer,” stated Shane Quick, a Pepsi Rock the South partner. “We feel confident that we are on the right track to safely hold our outdoor event in August.”
Pepsi Rock the South was founded in 2012 to celebrate the spirit of people helping people and continues to support charities that help people every day in our local communities.
“The spirit of giving has always been the backbone of our festival year after year and last year we were proud to give our ticket buyers the opportunity to donate their refunds to local partners,” said Nathan Baugh, also a Pepsi Rock the South partner.
Artist announcements will begin on April 5 at 8:00 a.m. CT. Tickets will go on-sale on April 9 at the same time. Ticket buyers who held on to their 2020 tickets will automatically be emailed tickets for the 2021 festival by April 19, per a press release.
“We are excited to welcome everyone back this August and are excited about the huge lineup for 2021,” commented Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs. “The health, safety, and well-being of our employees, guests, and event participants will remain a top priority for both the City of Cullman and Pepsi Rock the South organizers.”
The event’s return is a huge win for the Cullman area.
To gain an accurate account of the economic impact of the festival on the local businesses and governments of Cullman and Cullman County, Rock the South organizers have worked in the past with the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research and Younger and Associates, a respected economic analysis firm.
“An analysis of past festivals concluded that Rock the South has $13.4 million in economic impact per year,” advised Dale Greer, director of Cullman Economic Development Agency.
“The revenue that Pepsi Rock the South consistently brings to our area hotels, local small businesses, and charities are significant,” added Cullman City Councilman Clint Holingsworth. “Through the years, the event has donated or raised more than $600,000 for local charities and organizations from festival proceeds.”
During the seven years that the festival has been held, an average of 31,000 people attended each day of the festival, spending a total of $4.5 million in Cullman County over the two-day event.
“The overall impact of this event is tremendous for both the City of Cullman and the State of Alabama and we believe we can hold this outdoor event safely,” concluded Jenny Folsom, president of the Cullman City Council.
Rock the South will continue to follow CDC and Alabama state health guidelines.
Stay up-to-date with the event here.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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