CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) — An annual summer tradition that has called Cullman home for the past 14 years is now heading to north Alabama.
Organizers of “Rock the South” say the country music festival will return in 2026 in a new, permanent location in Decatur. On Thursday afternoon, CBS 42 stopped by the Busy Bee Café in downtown Cullman to talk with those who work there and with diners. Darlene Holder, who has been serving up breakfast and lunch to hungry music fans for the past 12 years will miss the influx of customers.
“Business was good, we got a lot of customers from Australia, Texas, Georgia, they come here every year,” she explained. “Really, really nice people. So that’s what we’re going to miss.”
One diner CBS 42 spoke with who lives in Cullman did not mince words when asked how he felt about Rock the South’s exit from Cullman:
“There’s trash everywhere,” he said. “Streets are a mess, I’m glad to see it go.”
Phillip Clemons said he and his wife stopped attending the festival two years ago.
“It gets a little too rowdy at Rock the South, you know sometimes,” Clemons said. “At times security’s really good, and sometimes it’s not.”
The city said Rock the South reported $150 million in economic impact over 14 years and that it had donated $2 million to local charities.
Mayor Woody Jacobs released a statement on Thursday, which reads in part:
“Rock the South has been a tremendous event in Cullman for 14 years and we are certainly disappointed the musical festival is leaving our community. We are proud that Cullman played a role in growing the festival billed as the Biggest Party in the South to a point where a new permanent location was needed.”
The 2025 Rock the South took place on 90 acres of land at York Family Farms in Cullman. It’s new location in Decatur will sit on a 150-acre parcel of land, according to the city. President & Co-Founder of live events at Peachtree Entertainment, Shane Quick, said the opportunity to own the festival’s property outright played a big role in their decision to move:
“Sometimes you’re dealing with extreme heat, sometimes you’re dealing with dust, sometimes you’re dealing with water, and mud and so being prepared for all of those elements, having full control over a piece of property to do that is a big help for sure.”
The Decatur location is promising expanded campgrounds with professionally engineered drainage. Last year, festivalgoers had to contend with muddy, rain-soaked fields. Quick said the landlords they’ve been working with for years in Cullman have just been amazing, some of the hardest-working working good, down-to-earth people.
He said the usable square footage puts them in a different position to grow the festival.
“I think people are going to love it, the city of Decatur has rolled out the red carpet, and we’re really going to work together well with them to bring the biggest party in the south once again.”
Quick said Rock the South will continue to support charities in Cullman, along with select charities from Decatur.
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