RIP Bonnaroo arch: Landmark burned, dismantled due to 'structural issues'
Bonnaroo officials have confirmed that the festival's iconic arch was burned intentionally and dismantled due to "significant structural issues."
"The structure had aged beyond repair and was no longer safe to remain in place," festival officials shared in a statement to The Tennessean. "Its replacement will be revealed in a few short weeks as we welcome everyone back to The Farm for the 18th annual festival.”
As music fans prepare to descend on Bonnaroo in the coming weeks, social media reports emerged overnight Monday that the music festival's signature arch was burned.
Goodbye old friend! ❤️This incarnation of the Bonnaroo Arch had significant structural issues and needed to be removed. The Arch has changed throughout the years, and we're exited for it's newest incarnation - Stay tuned + share your favorite arch pic!
(📷 j_kelty on Insta) pic.twitter.com/ynJjhY8Du9— Bonnaroo (@Bonnaroo) May 21, 2019
The arch burning comes less than a month before the 2019 iteration of the festival, which takes place at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee, opens its doors for attendees.
The burning was first reported by social media outlets such as The Festive Owl. The page posted a photo of something burning on the farm and later reported that it was the beloved arch.
Something (the arch?) is on fire on the @Bonnaroo Farm.
Will update as more information is available. | 📷: Kerri Kahn pic.twitter.com/SjcuJX39sH— Festive Owl (@TheFestiveOwl) May 21, 2019
It's official -- RIP to the @Bonnaroo Arch. Your watch has ended.
Here's to something new to come. pic.twitter.com/0tpUDlqt3G— Festive Owl (@TheFestiveOwl) May 21, 2019
Many on Twitter and Facebook mourned the loss of the famous arch, sharing their photos of it throughout the years.
RIP Bonnaroo arch. Can’t wait to see the new one. pic.twitter.com/AIVD3IQ0aK
— caity (@caitydanielle) May 21, 2019
Rip to the arch #bonnaroo pic.twitter.com/eY5ixjfzIp
— Alejandra Llamas (@smilealwaysale) May 21, 2019
Others bid the structure farewell, while also acknowledging the need for a new one.
For what it’s worth, the old arch was in bad disrepair. Parts of it had been broken off and the wood structure was rotting.
It was time for a new one anyways. But still RIP, @Bonnaroo arch. You witnessed both amazing times and unspeakable debaucheries. Your watch has ended. pic.twitter.com/TRzL6v09kW— Roo Bus (@TheRealRooBus) May 21, 2019
Sad to see the Arch go but hearing stories of how much of a hassle it was reconstructing it every year with wasp and spiders infested, @Bonnaroo made the right move. Can’t wait to see what is new on the horizon.
— 🌕 (@Qade_em) May 21, 2019
The Tennessean reached out to Bonnaroo officials regarding the arch burning but have not yet heard back.
Reach Andrew Wigdor at awigdor@tennessean.com and on Twitter @wiggie5885.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: RIP Bonnaroo arch: Landmark burned, dismantled due to 'structural issues'
