Fans at Rock the South 2018 in Cullman, Alabama. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
If you’re a newcomer to Rock the South, here’s what you need to know about this year’s music festival in Alabama. Veterans? It’s time to go over the details of the 2022 fest, to make sure your weekend goes smoothly.
When: Friday-Saturday, Aug. 5-6. (For the record, the festival’s official name is Pepsi Rock the South.)
Where: York Farms, 1872 County Road 469 in Cullman. The site is about 50 miles north of Birmingham, and a straight shot on I-65.
Parking opens: At noon, both days.
Gates open: 2 p.m., both days.
Lineup: Thirteen acts will perform on the single stage, ranging from Morgan Wallen to Anne Wilson. The lineup includes Dee Jay Silver, who’ll spin tunes between sets and get the crowd dancing with mashups.
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Country star Morgan Wallen performed at Rock the South in Cullman, Alabama, in 2019. He returns as a headliner in 2022. (Courtesy of Nathan Baugh/Rock the South)(Courtesy of Nathan Baugh/Rock the South)
Tickets: General admission is $139.99, through Thursday at 10 a.m. CT. After that, GA costs $150 at the gate. VIP tickets ($299.99-$369.99) and Front Porch Seating ($699.99) are sold out. Admission is free for kids age 2 and younger.
Parking: $50 for a weekend pass.
Car camping: $200, first come, first served. Check in Thursday and leave Sunday by noon. Tent camping only, no access to electricity, includes complimentary access to showers and bathrooms. No pets allowed. Price doesn’t include festival ticket. More info here.
RV parking: $550 and $650, limited quantities at each level. Check in starts Thursday at 4 p.m., leave Sunday by noon. No pets allowed. Price doesn’t include festival ticket. More info here.
Coming and going: Wristbands are provided at the gate and must be worn on site. Once inside the park, you cannot leave and re-enter the festival that day, unless you have a camping or RV wristband.
Seating: Bring folding chairs and blankets in the GA area. “Front Porch sections provide chairs. No chairs are provided otherwise this year,” the festival website says.
Weather: “While Rock the South is rain or shine, we work with Cullman Emergency Management Agency to coordinate and implement plans for severe weather that includes lighting, hail or other severe weather elements for our attendees, volunteers, sponsors and vendors,” the festival website says. “We work closely with meteorologists and our local EMS to coordinate possible evacuations.”
Just say no: Umbrellas, tents, pets, coolers, fireworks, laser pointers, professional cameras, chains/chain wallets and weapons are not allowed. No outside food or drink is allowed. “All patrons will be subject to search through metal detectors,” the festival website says. See the FAQs here.
Fans at Rock the South in 2014 in Cullman, Alabama. (Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com)
Background: Rock the South started off small in 2012, with a single-day lineup at Cullman’s Heritage Park that featured Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Brent Cobb and Jon Pardi. The festival changed significantly in 2013, when the new team of organizers replaced the City of Cullman and its parks department. Sara Evans and Jay Barker were co-owners of the festival from 2013 to 2015, along with Cullman concert promoter Shane Quick. The couple made a break with the festival in 2016, but Quick continued as an owner and key organizer, teaming with Nathan Baugh of 46 Entertainment.
Rock the South moved from Heritage Park to York Farms in 2019, expanding its footprint to about 140 acres. The festival experienced some growing pains in 2019, with the advent of a new site. Moving to the acreage off Cullman County 469 caused prolonged traffic snarls, delays and frustrations for fans on roads leading into the festival. The new location was meant to accommodate the growing crowds -- more than 65,000 people were expected in 2019, organizers said -- and allow for camping, RV parking and more on-site parking. Organizers pledged to listen to complaints, improve the traffic flow and make things better for festivalgoers.
The festival was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but returned in 2021 for its ninth year. Rock the South will present its 10th festival in 2022.
Fans at Rock the South in 2014 in Cullman, Alabama. (Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com)
Previous acts include: Eric Church, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Alan Jackson, The Band Perry, Sara Evans, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. Despite its name, the festival leans to bro-country and country pop, mixed with some traditional country and Southern rock.
RELATED: Rock the South: 20 big stars who played at the music festival in Alabama
Giving back: Rock the South has raised more than $600,000 for area charities during its tenure, the festival website says. Beneficiaries have included Cullman City Parks and Recreation, Children’s Hospital of Alabama, The Link of Cullman County, Alabama Forever and Cullman Caring for Kids.
Online: Rock the South has a website, Facebook page, Instagram page and Twitter feed. On TikTok, it’s @rockthesouth.
This map offers a look at ticket sections for Rock the South 2022.(Rock the South)
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