Just days before the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival was scheduled to kick-off in Tennessee, organizers have been forced to cancel the annual music festival due to unsafe conditions caused by Hurricane Ida.  Among those scheduled to perform were Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Jason Isbell, Phoebe Bridgers and Tyler, the Creator.

In a message shared via social media, Bonnaroo organizers explained that much of the area became so waterlogged from rain that the grounds have been rendered unusable and unsafe: “We are absolutely heartbroken to announce that we must cancel Bonnaroo. 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.”

The organizers went on to say: “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. 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! All tickets purchased through Front Gate Tickets will be refunded in as little as 30 days to the original method of payment.”

Bonnaroo had been dealing with other issues resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Just three weeks ago, the festival announced its COVID-19 restrictions, requiring all attendees to either have proof of vaccination or negative tests within 72 hours of first entering Centeroo, with all unvaccinated attendees asked to wear masks.