Rock the South organizers announced Monday morning that the 2021 dates for the event are August 13-14. Performers are set to be announced on April 5, with tickets going on sale on April 8. 

Ticket buyers who held on to their 2020 tickets will automatically be emailed tickets for the 2021 festival by April 19.

Last year’s Rock the South was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the concert’s organizers have decided that August would be the best time for it to return to Cullman. 

“With the recent announcements made concerning Alabama’s mask ordinance ending on April 9 as well as The University of Alabama’s decision to return to traditional in-classroom instruction for fall 2021 and plans to open Bryant-Denny Stadium to full capacity for football games, we are following models that predict COVID-19 herd immunity will be achieved by late spring or early summer,” RTS Partner Shane Quick said in Monday’s announcement. “We feel confident that we are on the right track to safely hold our outdoor event in August.”

Rock the South was founded in 2012 to celebrate the spirit of people helping people and continues to support charities that help people every day in our local communities.

“The spirit of giving has always been the backbone of our festival year after year and last year we were proud to give our ticket buyers the opportunity to donate their refunds to local partners,” said RTS Partner Nathan Baugh.

To gain an accurate account of the economic impact of the festival on the local businesses and governments of Cullman and Cullman County, Rock the South organizers have worked in the past with the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research and Younger and Associates, a  respected economic analysis firm. 

“An analysis of past festivals concluded that Rock the South has $13.4 million in economic impact per year,” said Dale Greer, Director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency.

“The revenue that Pepsi Rock the South consistently brings to our area hotels, local small businesses, and charities are significant,” said Cullman City Councilman Clint Holingsworth. “Through the years, the event has donated or raised more than $600,000 for local charities and organizations from festival proceeds.” 

During the seven years that the festival has been held, an average of 31,000 people attended each day of the festival, spending a total of $4,500,000 in Cullman County over the two days.

“The overall impact of this event is tremendous for both the City of Cullman and the State of Alabama and we believe we can hold this outdoor event safely,” said City Council President Jenny Folsom.

In response to COVID-19, the Rock the South team will continue to monitor the situation and follow CDC and Alabama state guidelines.

Event organizers encourage attendees to review updated policies and procedures prior to their arrival.

The event’s website, rockthesouth.com, will include full details on the protocols the City of Cullman and Pepsi Rock the South event staff are enacting at this year’s concert.