NEWS
BY BRIAN RASH
Annual Hutto country music festival with big draw canceled The Texas Music Network issued a July 14 release stating Kokefest, a country music festival held each August in Hutto, is canceled for 2023. Kokefest was canceled in 2018 due to inclement weather, but a reason for the cancellation of the 2023 festival was not provided in the release or on the Kokefest website. The 2023 festival was scheduled to take place Aug. 4-5 at Adam Orgain Park, 1001 CR 137, Hutto. Information on the festival website states ticket holders will receive an email noti cation letting them know when their refund has been initiated. A message on the Kokefest website thanks its artists, vendors, supporters, fans, concert-goers, clients and listeners. It also states an outpouring of support over the years that has allowed the festival to continue since it began in 2017. Representatives from the Texas Music Network did not respond to multiple requests for further information about the festival cancellation, including the reason for the decision and whether
FESTIVAL IMPACT The 2023 Kokefest would have been the festival's sixth in Hutto. Below are recent key impact gures. 2022 • Attendance exceeded 20,000 • 26% of attendees were from out-of-state • 13% of attendees were from the Austin metro area • $100K was spent at local businesses as a direct result of the festival 2021 • Attendance exceeded 25,000 • 22% of attendees were from out-of-state • 21% of attendees were from the Austin metro area • $100K was spent at local businesses as a direct result of the festival
Attendees get ready to see live music at a recent Kokefest music festival. (Courtesy 613 Media)
SOURCE: KOKE FM COMMUNITY IMPACT
Kokefest will return to Hutto in the coming years. Acts booked at the 2023 festival included Whis- key Myers, Sammy Kershaw, William Clark Green, Kaitlin Butts, The Weathered Souls, Jon Pardi, Riley Green, Kolby Cooper, Kevin Fowler, Treaty Oak Revival, Jacob Stelly, Juliana Rankin and DJ Du. Kokefest has hosted several big-name country acts over the years, including Cody Johnson and Clay Walker, and has a draw of more than 20,000 attendees. In 2022, roughly 26% of Kokefest attendees were from out-of-state, according to
gures from KOKE FM, and it was named Festival of the Year at the 12th annual Texas Regional Radio Music Awards. Allison Strupek, director of communications for the city of Hutto, said city sta and o cials were as disappointed as anyone to hear the news. “We have no further information on what must’ve been a very di cult decision by Texas Music Network,” Strupek said. Community Impact will update this story as more information becomes available.
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PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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