The popular free concert series was due to end its 84th season on Sunday, August 29.
After 9 amazing performances at Stern Grove this summer, the Stern Grove Festival has been forced to cancel its grand finale event due to extensive water damage that has rendered the site unusable. A major water main ruptured on Sloat Avenue yesterday, dumping over 700,000 gallons of water into the park and completely flooding the site’s grassy amphitheater.
Sunday’s Big Picnic event, a fundraiser and grand finale that was going to feature Tower of Power, Too $hort, and DJ Shortkut, has been canceled. The Festival and SF Rec & Parks continue to assess the damage, but the venue is “unsafe for events of any kind in the immediate future,” according to a press release.
“We are devastated to announce the sudden cancellation of our season finale and annual fundraiser with Tower of Power and Too $hort,” said Executive Director Bob Fiedler. “This was definitely one of our most highly anticipated concerts of an incredible season, but the damage is too severe to move forward safely at this time. We are grateful that no one was hurt, and we are proud to have overcome so many challenges this year to have presented nine exceptional concerts for more than 50,000 people. We look forward to restoring the Grove and being able to welcome the community back next year.”
Stern Grove Festival will soon announce two 1-hour specials featuring performances from throughout the 84th season. They’ll air on KPIX/CBS in the near future – check back on the Festival website for updates.
The Grove is currently accepting donations in an effort to rebuild the area. Fans can donate at sterngrove.org or text STERNGROVE to 56512.
Stern Grove Festival has hosted free summer concerts for over 84 years. Headliners have included everyone from Grammy winners to rising stars, including names like Mitski, The Doobie Brothers, Carlos Santana, Pink Martini, and more. This summer hosted Ledisi, Perfume Genius, the SF Symphony, Thievery Corporation, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, X, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Thundercat.
Featured image: Courtesy of Stern Grove Festival