Cullman Police recorded a total of 18 arrests across the two-day span of Rock the South, which saw approximately 22,000 people per day descend on Heritage Park this past weekend for the annual country music festival.

There were 10 arrests on Saturday night, which included resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. The drug arrests were reportedly made at the festival gate.

Cullman Police Lt. Gene Bates said authorities also ejected other attendees on “several occasions” where arrests were not warranted. They were reportedly sent to either take a taxi home, or leave with designated drivers.

Those arrests are in addition to the eight arrests made on Friday, including public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and two public lewdness charges.

Officials were monitoring the weather closely on Saturday, and preparing an evacuation plan if needed. Thankfully, officials note the stronger storms missed the city.

“We were prepared to do what we did in a previous year, when the festival had to be evacuated,” Bates said. “Now, we’re already making notes for next year, which we’ve been doing ever since this thing thing started. It seems to go a bit smoother each year, and we want to keep that trend going.”

Medical treatments also dipped on Saturday, which Greg Smith, with Cullman Fire EMS, credited to the cooler weather and overcast conditions for much of the day. For the weekend, the medical tent recorded 13 heat-related issues, 26 general injuries, 17 traumatic injuries (i.e. twisted ankle, scraped knee, etc.) and two other calls. A total of 500 people came through the medical tent across the entire two-day festival, estimated from the amount of bandages and ointment used.

 * Trent Moore may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 134.