Get ready to cheer, country fans. Rock the South will return in 2025 and return to Alabama on June 19 and 21.
Organizers confirmed new dates for the on Friday popular music festivalwhich typically draws thousands of country and Southern rock fans to York Farms in Cullman, 1872 County Road 469. No music acts have yet been announced for the 13th edition of Rock the South, but a press release promises “a robust and diverse lineup, created to reflect the spirit and passion of their audience and community.
The event remains a three-day affair and will take place from Thursday to Saturday in 2025. However, the time frame has been shifted from July to June. In 2024, Rock the South took place at York Farms from July 18 to 20. The rain had an impact on the festival site, but a wet weekend couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those who attended in 2024 as they slogged through mud puddles and stomped their boots. performances by Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Hardy, Parker McCollum, Oliver Anthony, Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson and more.
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Rock the South (formally known as Pepsi Rock the South) has attracted large crowds in recent years, with organizers estimating attendance at more than 35,000 for each day of the 2023 festival and more than 100,000 over the weekend. Normally the festival is held in June or July, with dates ranging from late May to mid-August depending on the year.
“This festival is more than just a weekend of music – it’s a celebration of community, tradition and the values that define Cullman,” organizer Shane Quick said via the press release. “Hosting an event of this caliber in my hometown is incredibly special. It’s a privilege to share this experience with the people I grew up with, and to see how it brings fans from across the country together to experience the heart of small-town Alabama. Every year we strive to make it even better, honoring our roots and the incredible community support that has made Rock The South what it is today.”
Rock the South started small in 2012, with a one-day lineup at Cullman’s Heritage Park with Dierks Bentley, Kellie PicklerBrent Cobb and Jon Pardi. The festival has changed significantly in 2013, when the new team of organizers replaced the city of Cullman and its parks department. Sara Evans and Jay Barker co-owned the festival from 2013 to 2015, along with Cullman concert promoter Quick. The couple broke with the festival in 2016, but Quick continued as owner and key organizer, along with Nathan Baugh of 46 Entertainment.
Rock the South moved from Heritage Park to York Farms in 2019, expanding the footprint to approximately 140 acres. The festival experienced some growing pains in 2019 with the arrival of a new location. The move to the acreage off Cullman County 469 caused long-term problems traffic disruption, delays and frustrations for fans on the roads leading to the festival. The new location was intended to accommodate growing crowds and allow camping, RV parking and more on-site parking. Organizers promised to listen to complaints, improve traffic flow and make things better for festival goers.
The festival was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but returned in 2021 for his ninth year and continued in 2022 And 2023 for years 10 and 11. Rock the South presented its 12th festival in 2024.
Big & Rich perform during day two, Duck Calls and Overalls, of the Rock the South festival in Cullman, Alabama, on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)Ben Flanagan
Previous acts at Rock the South include Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Alabama, Luke Combs, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Zach Bryan, Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, Riley Green, Jamey Johnson, Thomas Rhett, Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Alan Jackson, The Band Perry, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. Despite its name, the festival relies on various types of country music, mixed with some southern rock.
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Rock the South has raised more than $600,000 for area charities during his tenure. festival website. Grantees include Cullman City Parks and Recreation, Children’s of Alabama, The Link of Cullman County and more.
Theme days have become popular at the festival in recent years, with people attending in outfits that reflect fashion concepts such as Party in the USA, Duck Calls and Overalls, Cowboy Night or Star Spangled Saturday. There is also a social and political atmosphere: many festival goers opt for conservative ideas and candidates and wear T-shirts with political slogans.
Record-breaking crowds show up for country music, cold drinks and patriotism during the third day of Rock the South in Cullman, Ala., on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
Organizers expanded the Rock the South concept in 2024, teaming up with Kid Rock for a series of seven music festivals called Rock the country. The two-day events were held from April to July and took place in southern cities Mobile, Alabama; Ashland, KY; Ocala, FL; and Anderson, South Carolina.
Kid Rock performed at each event, along with country star Jason Aldean. Depending on the date and city, Rock the Country lineups also featured Miranda Lambert, Henk Williams Jr., Lynyrd SkynyrdKoe Wetzel, Brantley Gilbert, Travis Tritt, Lee Brice and more.
Rock the Country organizers encouraged fans to dress in red, white and blue for the first day of the fest in Mobile.Laurens Specker | [email protected]
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“We’re really touching on that side of the country where I would say they’re not afraid to say they love America, and they love our freedom and our military, and all the things that we stand for, that kind of personification of the country. Quick said of Rock the Country in a interview with AL.com. “I think our ‘why’ is special, allowing people to escape from all the things going on in the world. Getting together and uniting with people at a big, big party, with big bands and all the good stuff – good food and good beer and good music. I think a lot of good can come from that. That makes it even more exciting for us.”