Sol Fest is taking an indefinite hiatus.
The most recently Florida-located camping festival, which was marred by emergencies, arrests, and complaints relating to law enforcement last year, announced the news on social media today.
In a statement, organizers wrote that Sol Fest’s three-year journey was “filled with unexpected challenges” and cited “the heartbreaking loss of the CEO of our first venue and relocating in days” as principal struggles.
“We did whatever it took to create a new welcoming home, starting a year in advance meeting with officials and unexpectedly preparing the venues at our own expense,” a portion of their statement reads. “Through it all, Sol Fest has had our unwavering commitment, as we’ve poured our time, energy and resources into making this vision a reality. The road hasn’t been easy, but your support has been the driving force that kept us going.”
After holding its first two editions in Campbellton, Florida, and New Brockton, Alabama, Sol Fest relocated to Vortex Spring, a waterpark campground in Ponce De Leon, Florida, last year in a move that was allegedly subject to friction from local authorities.
“We thought we had a great relationship with the sheriff,” Sol Fest owner Alexus William told the Holmes County Advertiser prior to the event. “The community is against it. The big dogs start talking with everyone else and they start raising red flags.”
At a county commissioner’s meeting prior to the festival, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate said that though he had met with organizers “about a year ago,” he hadn’t been officially notified of the event until two months before it was due to kick off, according to the Holmes County Advertiser.
When Sol Fest eventually went ahead on May 2-5, 2024, a fire in the event’s general admission campground damaged four vehicles. No injuries were sustained related to the accidental blaze. Many attendees also publicly alleged security issues, an overbearing police presence, and excessive search and seizure tactics from local law enforcement at the festival.
During and after the event, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office published Facebook posts with the mug shots, full names, and charges of 26 detainees who were arrested at the festival site on charges of drug possession, some for “possession of THC vape,” “gummies” or “marijuana” alone.
According to the sheriff’s office, a Vortex Spring volunteer also attacked a deputy, attempted to take his gun, and bit the back of his head in an ensuing altercation. The sheriff’s office alleged that the man identified in a graphic Facebook post was “under the influences of multiple substances.”
Read Sol Fest’s full statement in the post below.
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Featured image from Sol Fest.
