Willie Nelson’s July 4 Picnic in Austin to go on despite storm damage

The Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th-anniversary concert scheduled for July 1 in El Reno, Oklahoma, has been canceled due to significant storm damage sustained during a severe weather event in Ridgedale, Missouri. 

However, Willie Nelson’s highly anticipated Fourth of July Picnic in Austin is still expected to take place as planned.

According to a post from the Outlaw Music Festival’s official Instagram account, the weather event on June 29 at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena caused heavy rain and high winds that forced an evacuation. The storm left the band’s equipment and several artists’ instruments severely damaged and waterlogged.

“The potential damage has halted the festival production as they recover and replace what’s necessary for the tour to resume,” the statement read.

Refunds will be issued for the canceled July 1 performance at the Lucky Star Amphitheater in Oklahoma.

Despite the setback, the festival plans to continue the tour with its next stop at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on July 4. A representative for Willie Nelson confirmed to the Austin American-Statesman on Tuesday that the Independence Day show will proceed as scheduled.

Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic is an annual tradition that draws thousands to Austin and is one of the most iconic live music events in Texas. Fans can expect performances by Nelson and several other artists, celebrating Independence Day with music, food, and fireworks.