Organizers for the Texas Eclipse festival in Burnet have canceled the remainder of the festival hours ahead of this afternoon’s total solar eclipse. Citing incoming severe weather including high winds, tornadic activity, large hail, and thunderstorms, the Disco Donnie-produced festival has asked attendees to pack their belongings and be prepared to leave promptly after totality—expected at 1:34 p.m. local time.
“Your safety is our top priority,” the festival wrote on social media. “With the support and coordination of Burnet County officials, local safety agencies, and The National Weather Service, we’ve agreed to end the festival today in a calm orderly manner. Leave early for safety and to beat traffic. Guests may stay for the eclipse provided they pack and are prepared to depart after totality. This guidance may change based on weather.”
All music scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Texas Eclipse has been canceled, and no additional attendees will be allowed into the venue. Organizers stated that they are coordinating shuttle services to assist in the orderly departure and that attendees will receive an email with details on partial refunds. The festival also included a helpline for those with questions or ADA needs, reachable at 561-247-3339.
This announcement follows a weekend of widespread complaints about the on-site conditions at Texas Eclipse. Across social media, attendees have detailed stories of disorganization, insufficient supplies, and poor conditions at the festival and campgrounds. Some say they have had to walk over an hour to reach the concert venue and that the campgrounds are littered with rocks and cacti. The long travel times were exacerbated by a confusing festival map that showed north on the left side of the page, rather than the top. Some who purchased electric RV camping arrived to find the section oversold, resulting in refrigerated food going bad. Many have also complained of portable bathrooms going without regular maintenance as well as a lack of access to clean water.
One of the biggest concerns regarding the rough terrain is for those with ADA needs. Long wait times for shuttles have posed inconveniences for many festival-goers, but have made navigating the grounds almost impossible for ADA attendees.
In response to online complaints, on Sunday the festival posted that it was adding water stations, erecting clear signage in camping areas, and more shuttles. The festival also shared the same helpline included with Monday’s cancellation announcement.
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