WEST CHESTER TWP., Ohio — The popular Voices of America Country Music Festival will not be returning to West Chester in 2027, according to a release from the township.
The festival is coming up on its fourth year. It's set to run from Aug. 6 to Aug. 9 this year at Voice of America MetroPark.
According to the release, the township decided not to continue its license agreement with Further Festivals for use of the township property. The original agreement automatically renewed for 2025 and 2026, and would require mutual agreement of both parties to continue into 2027 or 2028.
"After considering the event's growing demands and reviewing the long-term capacity and fit at the current event site, the township decided not to approve the optional renewals," the release said.
The release said hosting the event requires "significant resources for public safety" as well as operational planning and property restoration.
"The festival has not produced a measurable local economic benefit sufficient to offset these impacts," the release said.
WATCH: Here's what township officials had to say about changes to VOA Country Music Festival
The West Chester festival made its debut in 2023, when around 80,000 country music fans packed the Voice of America MetroPark. The event was even more popular in its second year, with more than 100,000 attending to see the more-than 30 artists lined up throughout the day perform. According to festival organizers, the VOA Country Music Festival brought more than 100,000 people to Southwest Ohio for its festivities in 2025, when headliners were Carrie Underwood, HARDY, Bailey Zimmerman and Darius Rucker.
"Every year it's grown, and we feel like it's really gone beyond what the site can handle from a current operations standpoint," West Chester Township Public Information Director Brianna Wooten said. "We gave plenty of advanced notice to the event organizer to find a new location. ... We are happy to hear that they have so that they can find a new place to host the event next year."
Headliners for the 2026 festival include Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton and Jordan Davis.
WCPO 9 reached out to Further Festivals for comment about the festival's future location but has not received a response.
Weather safety plans in place for festival weekend
With storms expected to move through the region during the festival weekend, West Chester Township said it has plans in place to monitor severe weather and keep attendees safe.
The township said it will monitor lightning around the festival site while working with emergency management officials, public safety personnel and festival organizers.
If lightning gets too close to the festival grounds, officials said the event could be paused, and the area would be cleared.
Attendees would be directed to leave the venue and seek shelter, either in their vehicles or another safe location, before returning once conditions improve.
Despite the weather concerns, this year's festival is scheduled to continue as planned. Thousands of country music fans are expected to attend the four-day event, which will feature performances from some of the biggest names in country music.
