Beale Street Music Festival: Fans allowed back in fairgrounds after temporary evacuation
Stormy weather ended the music temporarily Saturday night at Beale Street Music Festival.
Around 10 p.m., concertgoers were temporarily evacuated from the Fairgrounds in Liberty Park as lightning could be seen in the area. Fans could take shelter at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Some chose to shelter in their vehicles, while others left.
About an hour later, officials announced the evacuation order had been lifted.
Fans quickly headed back toward the stages, some taking the opportunity to ring the bell at the stadium on their way.
By around 11:15 p.m. stereo music played on the Terminix Stage while crews set up for Smashing Pumpkins.
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Things should return to normal on Sunday, with no threat of rain in the forecast, according to National Weather Service Memphis. Gates will open at 1 p.m. for the last day of the festival. Sunday's performers include Lil Wayne, Weezer, Moneybagg Yo and Modest Mouse.
Thousands flocked to the Fairgrounds in Liberty Park on Friday for the first day of the festival, which featured performances by Three 6 Mafia, Van Morrison, Sammy Hagar & The Circle, Sarah McLachlan and many others.
Beale Street Music Festival returned this year for the first time since 2019, following two years of pandemic-related cancellations.
About 90,000 tickets were sold for this year's event, which is expected to have a $75 million economic impact on the city.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Beale Street Music Fest: Fans back in fairgrounds after weather evacuation
