As I sit and write this now I can feel the heat setting in for one of the last days of the year WE HOPE. I feel the moisture seeping back into the air and the dry stale heat is clinging on a hold. We hopefully have some cooler temperatures on the horizon but this year was a historically hot and dry year.
I missed my favorite summer and even pre fall music festivals this year because of the heat and also I need wrist surgery badly. I cannot do that 100 plus heat. That is one of the reasons this decision was smart, both from a fan and a business standpoint.
Even if there is indeed FREE WATER which most festivals are providing, the lines for water are so long and without shade, if you have to wait long enough in line then you will die of thirst. I cannot do that heat in my medical conditions.
The saturation of the music festival market right now was another major factor that I looked at when I thought their choice was wise. The prices for everything from food to drinks has become astronomically large, and the crowds have become MASSIVE.
But not only have the crowds become massive, so has the overhead on the shows that require contracts from the venues, if you don’t know how much it costs to book Sierra Ferrell…go look?
However, the reason they didn’t do it (among others) was to implement the money for resources for people like me. Addicts. And they do it to CREATE people like me. Recovered and inactive adicts.
I am located on the other side of Kentucky and over here I am living an enjoyable last chapter of my working career in sobriety. But even I need mental help sometimes, and I have temptations and triggers as an alcoholic and addict. People like me NEED people like them to co exist in society at a responsible pace.
I have a responsibility to you in society as an addict to make sure that I do not relapse and drive drunk or act like a fool in public. I do not have the right to use my addiction as an excuse to be a danger to the public. Healing Appalachia gives people like me resources and direction to NOT feel that need to return to active use.
This was the public release from them
Dear Healing Appalachia Family,
For years, this festival has been more than music. It has been a living example of what is possible when recovery, hope, and community come together to create real impact across Appalachia.
Today, we want to share an important update regarding Healing Appalachia.
After careful consideration, Healing Appalachia 2026 will not move forward as planned. Current economic conditions and the rising costs of large-scale festival production compel Hope in the Hills to redirect resources to the recovery programs at the heart of our mission.
Healing Appalachia will return:
September 10 to 11, 2027
Boyd County Fairgrounds
Ashland, Kentucky
Although the festival is paused for this year, the need for investment in recovery is not.
Thank you to the artists, fans, partners, donors, and communities who continue to stand behind our mission.
By the close of 2026, with your support, Hope in the Hills plans to surpass 2 million dollars invested in recovery programs across Appalachia.
One of the most meaningful ways to support this work year round is by joining our Monthly Giving Club.
