For the past three years, the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach has been one of the premier Labor Day weekend music festivals in the country. This year was proving to be no different, especially because of the superstar lineup.
Brad Paisley, Brett Eldredge, Granger Smith, A Thousand Horses, Mark Chesnutt, Dylan Scott, Jake Owen, The Band Perry, Sara Evans, Charles Esten, Darryl Worley, Craig Campbell, Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tyler Farr, Neal McCoy, and Colt Ford were all scheduled to perform.
According to an announcement on the festival’s Facebook page, “Panama City Beach officials and organizers of the 4th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam have been forced to cancel this year’s festival due to high winds expected Thursday night.”
A few of the singers took to Twitter to announce some bad news.
Super bummed to have to cancel, but all y'all please stay safe. https://t.co/xPFB3XsUVl
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) September 1, 2016
Sorry to all y'all that I'm gonna miss in my home state of FL at the @GulfCoastJam… Stay safe in that weather and I'll see you soon.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) September 1, 2016
Bummed that it's cancelled. Hoping for the best for the Gulf Coast. https://t.co/syZFu5gosN
— Craig Campbell (@craigcampbelltv) September 1, 2016
Tropical Storm Hermine is fast approaching the Florida Gulf Coast and because the festival takes about a week to set up, and they have to break everything down because of the storm, and will not have enough time to set it all back up again by the time the festival would have to start.
“Safety is the first concern for our visitors, country music fans and the festival organizers and sponsors.” said Panama City Beach Mayor Mike Thomas. “I truly appreciate all the planning and work that the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Producers, the Emergency Operations Center, PCB Police Chief Drew Whitman and city staff have done in preparation of having to make this difficult decision. We’re disappointed that we have had to cancel this weekend’s show, but hope all of the fans enjoy their weekend on the beach. We look forward to welcoming the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam back next year.”
In an update from WJHG-TV, they revealed the festivals’ Executive Producer “has said tickets will be refunded.” Tickets are valued at $399 + taxes and fees.
Check out the highlights from last year’s festival.