Wakarusa 2016 Canceled

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/MICHAEL WOODS Wakarusa festival goers make their way to and from the main stage area during the weekend music and camping festival on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas.

UPDATE: Deadhead Productions announce Highberry Music Festival to take place during usual Wakarusa slot on Mulberry Mountain June 30 through July 3.

Wakarusa, Arkansas’ biggest music festival, will not return next summer because of an issue with their financial partners.

In a statement released Thursday, the organizers of the festival hosted on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark., said the festival had been “significantly damaged by partners claiming to share our vision. Sadly, they lied.”

The festival had been going strong for 12 years, and has hosted such acts as The Roots, Bassnectar, The Black Keys, Chance Tha Rapper, The Flaming Lips, The Avett Brothers and many more.

The organizers said this is a “hiatus” and hope to return following the resolution of their legal cases with their partners.

Here is the press release in full:

“It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that Wakarusa will take 2016 off.

‪#‎Wakarusa‬ has been a labor of love for all of us these last twelve years. We have been defiantly independent and unique since our inception. Together we created a magical 5 day event that stood out from the rest. We’ve taken great pride in what we’ve created with you and for you over the last decade plus. The Waka community (friends, family, fans, musicians, artists, performers, volunteers, staff) has really been the heart and soul of what Wakarusa IS. This community shares a natural passion for what is truly genuine. Wakarusa is wonderfully original – it is organic, mystical and always marvelously weird, and like Wakarusa, you too are decidedly different and perfectly magnificent.

As such, you deserve to know the principal reason behind our hiatus:

Wakarusa was significantly damaged by partners claiming to share our vision. Sadly, they lied. They are being dealt with appropriately through the legal system. Further, we have found that the universe is often much more effective in dealing with these perpetrators than the legal system. Regardless, it is our sincere hope and anticipation that what we have built together – we will once again enjoy on our beloved and magical mountain.

For now, we shall dust ourselves off. We must take time to recharge our faith and our energy. Passionate people do not throw in the towel because of a bump in the road. We look brightly toward the future. We will bring more music and more art and many more wickedly unrivaled memories. We know the world is a better place when there is more music and more love.

Our scrape with the unsavory has lead us to realize what is most important to us, which is all of YOU (you and you…and you too). So in our brief absence, please stay in touch and look out for each other. Take special care to really nurture what is most important in each of your lives. There is simply too much to be down or discouraged about in this world. Be the beacon of joy and hope – we need more of that in this world. So now we do ask that you share your positive energy with us. We’ll use it as our strength and inspiration to create an even better WAKA experience that is ever more magical. With your help, we will bring Wakarusa back to Mulberry Mountain.

Until then, be safe, spread your positivity and your light and remember to always remain marvelously weird!”