The Rock the South country music festival may be in a new home in 2019.

Rock the South co-owner Nathan Baugh said the festival has been looking at possible venue changes in a statement released Monday afternoon:

“Over the past couple of years, Rock the South has looked at various pieces of property all over Cullman County for a possible venue change for Rock the South.

“Any possible location undergoes a strenuous examination process including soil testing, wetlands survey, traffic studies, public safety engagement, resident engagement, and much more. Initial testing has been done on multiple pieces of property this year (and other years) within Cullman County. At this point, studies are still being completed on multiple pieces of property.”

Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett said his city has one of the sites that is being looked at as a possible location, with a 120-acre parcel of land located on County Road 616.

“We are in consideration, but there’s a lot of other places that are being considered,” he said.

Rock the South was launched in 2012 as a celebration of recovery from the devastating 2011 tornado outbreak that saw three twisters touch down in the area, including one that tore through downtown Cullman.

The two-day festival has been held in Cullman’s Heritage Park since its inception, and has grown to bring in an international crowd of more than 60,000 people.

In a study conducted by the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research, the 2017 Rock the South was found to have made a $10.1 million local economic impact, with 121 new jobs and more than $200,000 in sales tax revenue.

Bartlett said he and the City of Good Hope will always be happy to have Rock the South in the area, whether it stays in Heritage Park or moves elsewhere in Cullman County.

“We will support Rock the South anywhere they choose,” he said.

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.