Suwannee Roots Revival Cancelled Due to Damage from Hurricane Helene

Just over a week out from its highly-anticipated return, Suwannee Roots Revival has announced that its 2024 staging must be canceled due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene. The renowned bluegrass and folk festival was set to return for its eighth annual presentation on Oct. 10-13 at Live Oak, Fla.’s Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, drawing big names like Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and longtime staples Donna the Buffalo.

While no permanent destruction to the festival site has been incurred–meaning that other Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park events like Suwannee Hulaween will go on as scheduled–Suwannee Roots Revival’s cancellation is due to a lack of time to restore the grounds and adequately prepare before next weekend. In a release, the festival organizers explained, “Sadly, due to the severe impact of Hurricane Helene, a Category 4, Suwannee Roots Revival 2024 must be canceled.

“There are just not enough days between now and the festival date to repair the damage which has left the park with no electricity, no water, little cell service and an inestimable number of downed trees and repairs to be made,” the notice continues. “The safety of all attendees, artists and staff is our utmost priority. Refunds will be issued automatically at your point of purchase.”

Suwannee Roots Revival’s 2024 staging was to be the first iteration of the beloved event since the passing of co-founder Randy Judy in April. July was to be honored with Big Cosmo’s Sunshine Daydream Celebration of Life on the first day, in keeping with the festival’s efforts to center giving back to the community in all activities throughout the program.

For the festival’s official announcement, Co-Founder and Festival Director Beth Judy wrote, “From the very beginning, in 1997, with our first festival at SOSMP, we set an intention of a community of love and healing and music and positive impact on the lives of the people who were there. And we attracted those people who needed that in their lives, and many of them are still coming. The Suwannee Roots Revival is a current version of the events we began so long ago when music festivals were just starting to pop up again after Jerry’s passing… now we are gathering everyone together for the big Reunion and Revival of what commenced during those early years.”

Fans are looking forward to the festival’s return in 2025. For more information on Suwannee Roots Revival, visit suwanneerootsrevival.com.

The post Suwannee Roots Revival Cancelled Due to Damage from Hurricane Helene appeared first on Relix Media.

Please follow and like us: