CULLMAN – This year’s record-setting Rock the South event is in the books, following a weekend packed with crowds, wild weather and superstar performances from the likes of country megastars Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt. The Tribune checked in with festival founder Shane Quick to get his thoughts on this year’s Biggest Party in the South.
Did the festival meet your expectations this year, as far as growth?
We created Rock the South in 2012 after the devastating tornadoes to help rebuild Cullman and remind everyone that we’re stronger together. Every year, RTS has grown, and every year we've been able to give more back to local charities that make our community an amazing place to live. This year we hosted nearly 60,000 people over the weekend—more than any other year! Because of that, we were able to raise nearly $100,000 for local charities and organizations. That's the goal. We want to have a lot of fun together, enjoy southern charm and make a positive impact.
What was the total number of concert goers this year?
There were 30,000 per night. Sixty thousand over both nights.
With weather a factor this year and a couple years prior, do you feel you all were better prepared for the storm evacuation?
Though weather paused some of our festivities, we are thankful to say every single artist played. Thanks to our amazing city workers and emergency management services, we were able to properly notify attendees of the lightning storms and give them ample time to take shelter in their vehicles.
Will RTS be renewing its contract with the City of Cullman? Or is that still in negotiations?
We’re already working closely with the City of Cullman’s amazing leadership, Mayor Woody Jacobs and the council, on how we can make RTS 2018 the best festival yet. We cannot wait to introduce some of our biggest headliners from the music industry!
A lot of flak was given regarding local vendors not being involved this year. What would you say to those who felt local vendors were left out?
We were founded six years ago to help the city of Cullman. We love this city, and the festival allows us to not only raise funds for people who make it such an incredible place to live, but to invite people to enjoy its true, small-town Alabama charm from all over the U.S. This year, we hosted people from 43 states and six countries! We work with local vendors from the city and across the state to offer that Southern charm and serve them to the best of our abilities. As we’ve grown, we have incorporated other great Alabaman classics from across the state to best serve the tens of thousands we host, but our focus is always to prosper Cullman. This year, we gave nearly $100,000 to local charities and organizations and have given nearly $600,000 since we started. The majority of the festival staff was local as well.
Clean-up efforts were underway Sunday. Some are complaining about field conditions due to the rain. What would you like the public to know regarding the soccer fields and softball fields?
Our clean-up team of nearly 100 people is working diligently to return Heritage Park to the beautiful green space we all love. We are working alongside turf specialists who work with SEC football as well as our parks and recreation office to make it even better than it was, as we have for the past five Rock the South festivals.
If you had to sum up this year’s event in one phrase, what would it be?
We’re grateful to live in Cullman, and it’s a privilege to get to bring world-class musicians to our backyard, show off our city to people from across the globe and raise thousands for local charities.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We were excited to work (with) World Vision this year to create a text-in system where people are sent a text listing ways to help during a natural disaster or major tragedy.
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