5/18/20

Roots Festival Family,
The last eight weeks have been a trying time for communities across the nation and around the world. Our hearts go out to all those affected by COVID-19.

The music and culinary communities have been greatly impacted during this time, and our organization is no exception. We shuttered our year-round venue and home base, the Roots HQ on March 13, cancelling all upcoming events and concerts until further notice. We continue to watch as musicians, chefs, non-profit organizations, venues, festivals, and restaurants alike face an uncertainty like we have not seen in modern times. The musicians and chefs slated to appear at Roots are no exception. Many of the gigs the musicians depend on to “route” into the festival have been cancelled, and chefs are working to save their restaurants. While there have been times we have slipped towards despair over the future of music and the culinary arts, we are eternal optimists and have found most of our thoughts centering on positivity and hope for the future.

In 10 years of producing the Fayetteville Roots Festival, we have faced many obstacles. Through the support of the community surrounding Roots we have always overcome them, albeit not always as we planned. Some favorite moments over the years were when circumstances beyond our control forced a change, and our community, volunteers, artists, chefs, ticket holders, and supporters responded with love, kindness, and enthusiasm for the detour. Thank you for your relentless support and encouragement – it has always kept us going.

And with that, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 festival to August 26 – 29, 2021. It is the safest decision for our community, who come from over 30 states and countries and gather each August. The health and safety of our community is paramount.

We are working with the 2020 confirmed artists and chefs in hopes they will be able to join us in August 2021. We have great optimism that we will be able to keep the lineup the same. This will take time though, and we will make an official announcement about the 2021 lineup once we are able to do so.

2020 Ticket holders have received an email with the following options:
1. Keep your tickets for Roots 2021. All ticket holders will have their existing tickets (and seats if applicable) for the 2020 festival moved forward to the August 2021 festival. You don’t need to do anything. This option is vital to our financial stability. Thank you for sticking with us!

2. Request a Refund. We understand that some may need a refund. Email [email protected] to request a refund (by June 18th, 2020). Please include your full name and order number. Ticket holders requesting a refund will also have the option of a partial refund, donating a portion of their ticket price to Roots to help us during this uncertain financial situation and sustain our efforts in 2020, including our Roots Meals for Musicians program.

2021 Tickets & Donations
Now more than ever, as a non-profit, we could use your support.

Beginning today, patrons can purchase tickets for the 2021 festival, securring a spot while also showing support for the Roots organization at this critical time. PURCHASE TICKETS

If you are able, we invite you to make a charitable donation to help Rootsweather the storm.  DONATE HERE

This challenge and postponement will not keep us idle. In the coming months we will continue to contribute to our community in the following ways: 

ROOTS MEALS FOR MUSICIANS
We have spent the last 7 weeks serving musicians in our community via the Roots Meals for Musicians program. We have distributed over 1,800 meals to folks in need in the music community. This was only possible because of the tremendous support of numerous companies and individual donors. Safely, and with physical distancing, we distribute weekly meal care packages to anyone in the music community. The need has been steady and growing. This program will continue for as long as the community needs it. If you are interested in donating visit https://therootsfest.org/roots-meals-for-the-music-community/

ROOTS HQ
Two years ago, we returned to our “roots” of hosting small, intimate concerts and we opened the Roots HQ in a historic building on the Fayetteville square – the Gusinger Music House, which was a full-service music store from 1925 to 1981. The building is now home to the Roots HQ. We host community events and concerts that allow us to further our non-profit mission of connecting community through music and food. We never imagined that a small concert venue (90 seats at full capacity, 45 seats at physical distancing capacity) might be a saving grace during a pandemic. We are cautious, but we are also optimistic and excited to return to concerts at the Roots HQ when the time is appropriate. More info and updates about the Roots HQ will be posted via https://therootsfest.org/roots-presents/.

We have always been inspired by the strength and resilience of the Roots festival community. Many consider the festival a family reunion. As families do, we will get through this together. One day in the future we will gather, spread out a table full of food, and strike up the music.

Until then, be kind and be well.

Bryan & Bernice Hembree (Smokey & The Mirror)
and Chef Jerrmy Gawthrop (Wood Stone Pizza)
Co-Founders, Fayetteville Roots Festival