MANCHESTER, Tenn. (WKRN) — After being forced to cancel most of this year's festival, some Bonnaroo fans have been left wondering what the future of the festival could hold.

Last Friday, Bonnaroo organizers announced that the remainder of the music festival would be cancelled due to severe weather. On social media, some people have wondered about moving the festival to a later date, relocating the festival out of Manchester to an area with better infrastructure or just accepting the fact that some days of bad weather just happen.

Many have also pointed the blame at the event’s organizer, Live Nation Entertainment, for not investing more into the site and addressing possible problems. One woman who sees the good of Bonnaroo even when canceled is Manchester native and restaurant owner Renee Holt.

When asked if she could ever imagine Bonnaroo being somewhere other than Manchester, she said she couldn't really see it as a possibility.

“Can you imagine Bonnaroo not being in Manchester?” asked News 2. 

"I mean, I love the festival. I love embracing the people..." Holt, who owns The Mercantile Cafe in downtown Manchester, said. “I hear about, ‘Oh, you’re from Manchester? Isn’t that where Bonnaroo is?’”

Holt admitted the festival can be hit and a miss for some local businesses. She said she knows plenty of locals who stay out of town when Bonnaroo returns because of the massive influx of people.

Her feelings this year are quite simple: Mother Nature doesn’t always align with our plans.

“There’s no way we can control some of the things that happen — especially if it’s weather-related,” said Holt. “And I know, I’ve seen the videos from out there, and it did look pretty rough. I've heard talk of moving it to a different time of year… I don't know that much about weather patterns, but it may be something that's worth looking into.” 

Holt described herself as a glass half-full person, adding that she knows Bonnaroo put Manchester on the map, and she believes their visitors always enjoy themselves — even last week.

The mayor of Manchester told News 2 he wouldn't speak about Bonnaroo as of publication. He said the data on the economic impact of the festival's cancellation is still being gathered, but should be ready by next week.

Bonnaroo’s organizer, Live Nation, did not respond to News 2's request for comment as of print.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/whats-next-bonnaroo/