Pressure from environmental advocacy groups has pushed the upcoming Country Thunder Fest out of St. Pete Beach to a new venue in Clearwater.
On April 4, protestors lined the sidewalk in front of Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, hoisting signs calling for officials to “Protect the nest, move the fest.”
Activists were met with honks of support and applause from passersby, and Lisa Reich even slipped into a sea turtle suit.
Reich, CEO of Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group (CWAG), and others were speaking out against plans to hold the country music festival—set for May 8-10—on the beach during sea turtle and shorebird nesting season.
Today, two weeks after the protest, Country Thunder announced a move off the beach to Coachman Park in Clearwater roughly 20 miles north.
In a news release sent this morning, Clearwater officials said “all approvals (have been) secured and the path (is) fully clear for the three-day festival.”
“I am hopeful that they do have the event, because a lot of people have purchased tickets,” Reich told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “I also feel for all of the people that have purchased rooms in and on St. Pete Beach.”
Organizers have confirmed refunds will be available following the location change, and tickets for the original event will be honored at the new venue in Clearwater.
Kane Brown and Shaboozey, headliners for the final day of Country Thunder, are among the lineup’s biggest names. Zach Top, Gavin Adcock, and Max McKnown are also among the 13 artists on the bill.
St. Pete Catalyst first reported on friction between festival organizers and environmentalists two weeks ago, then discovered that the event had not cleared important regulatory hurdles.
Since the country fest was scheduled during sea turtle nesting season (beginning May 1), an approval from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in conjunction with a review from Florida Fish and Wildlife Association (FWAA), would be required to obtain approval to hold the event.
Additionally, St. Pete Catalyst reported that event organizers had not submitted sufficient information to complete their application for their city special event permit, which would also be required to go through with the event.
On social media, proponents of holding Country Thunder on St. Pete Beach pointed out that the festival would’ve brought heavy foot traffic into local businesses and restaurants.
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This article appears in Apr. 09 – 15, 2026.