Update: The Wildwood Police Department announced the festival reopened at 9 p.m. Thursday
With all of New Jersey bracing for strong thunderstorms and the sky overhead turning an ominous gray, Barefoot Country Music Festival attendees were urged to evacuate the festival grounds Thursday evening.
The massive multi-stage event, which began Thursday and runs until Sunday, has been known to draw as many as 30,000 people to the beach in Wildwood.
The festival has previously faced issues due to inclement weather.
“Lightning has been detected within 8 miles of the festival,” the event’s online page posted at close to 7 p.m. Thursday. “Exit the festival grounds immediately and seek shelter.”
In photos posted to social media, disappointed festival-goers could be seen making for safer areas.
All 21 counties in New Jersey were placed under a thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. Thursday. Two counties, Atlantic and Cape May — where the music festival is held — are also under the more-severe thunderstorm watch.
Severe Storm warning. Please seek shelter at this time. https://t.co/uin9ohX7AW
— Wildwood Police Dept (@WildwoodPD) June 19, 2025
Wind gusts as high as 60 mph along with large hail, drenching rain and frequent lightning were expected Thursday.
Local police told Barefoot Country Music Festival visitors that the National Weather Service believes strong storms are imminent for the area.
“All festival-goers are urged to return to your home, hotel, or vehicle now,” the Wildwood Police Department said in its own alert. “If conditions worsen and you are unable to reach these locations, please seek shelter in a business, or under the boardwalk as a last resort.”
Forecasters said the storms were set to be more widespread than Wednesday’s storms, and they could spawn isolated tornadoes because of the heat, humidity and intense wind shear.
Wind shear, the change of wind speed and direction at different heights in the atmosphere, is a key ingredient in the formation of tornadoes.
The Barefoot Country Music Festival told attendees Thursday to stay tuned for further updates.
Headliners for the 2025 music festival include Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean and Lainey Wilson.
Stories by Steven Rodas
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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Bluesky at @stevenrodas.bsky.social.