Ticket Cancellation Chaos Amid Dukes of Hazzard Anniversary Celebration

Cooter's - Luray, VirginiaPhoto byCooter's Place, Luray

LURAY, Va. – The owners of Cooter’s Place, a local business dedicated to honoring the memory of a popular 1980s television show, has found themselves in a last-minute rush to re-issue tickets for a mid-July celebration that’s been years in the planning.

"The Dukes of Hazzard," a weekly show that premiered on CBS in 1979, followed the adventures of two good ‘ol boys in rural Hazzard County, Georgia.

Bo and Luke Duke, joined by Cousin Daisy and Uncle Jesse, were at constant odds with corrupt politician Boss Hogg and his right-hand man, Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. The show often included wild escapes and car chases, featuring a bright orange, souped-up Dodge Charger nicknamed “The General Lee.” After a successful run, the show’s last episode aired February, 1985.

Ben Jones, an actor who had played mechanic “Cooter” on the action-comedy, quickly threw his hat into the ring of Georgia politics. Running for Congress in Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, he won in 1986 and again in 1990. After serving in Congress, Jones briefly returned to show business with a few character roles and on Dukes of Hazzard reunion specials.

In 1998, Jones and his wife Alma Viator bought a farm in Rappahannock County, near Shenandoah National Park. In 1999, they created a "Dukes of Hazzard" museum and theme store called "Cooter's.” Even though the television show hadn’t been on the air for almost 15 years, it was an immediate success with fans and tourists alike.

In 2017, the museum moved to a much larger and more-accessible location in Page County. By then, there were also Cooter’s Place museums in Gatlinburg and Nashville, Tennessee. The new location was dubbed “Cooter’s in Luray.”

Since then, the Luray business has hosted several concerts, car shows, and annual celebrations featuring Dukes of Hazzard cast members. The location features a museum and gift shop, Cooter's tow truck ("the wrecker"), a General Lee Dodge Charger and Roscoe’s police cruiser. Fans can also enjoy hot comfort food at Cooter’s Country Kitchen, located on-site.

Over the years, the show has developed a cult-like following, as demonstrated by the thousands of fans who flock to the Luray location each year.

From July 19-21, 2024, Cooter’s in Luray will be hosting its 25th Anniversary Festival, which will include several big-name concerts, a car show, and autographs and photos with Dukes of Hazzard cast members. If social media buzz is any indication, anniversary celebration planning and announcements have caused growing anticipation from fans all over the world.

Friday’s events will be held at the Cooter’s Luray location on US 211 just outside of Luray. Saturday’s and Sunday’s events will be held at the Collins Avenue fairgrounds location within town limits.

Luray, a town famous for its caverns and proximity to Shenandoah National Park, seems the ideal location for Dukes of Hazzard fans who also want to enjoy local scenery, restaurants and shopping. Business owners have been stocking up in preparation for the incoming wave of “Dukes” fans -- grateful for the economic boost the festival’s traffic will bring.

Advertising for the weekend event has been substantial. Free tickets to the event have been available for months – with the website explaining the necessity of tickets. Event planners wanted to have an idea of crowd size and preparation of parking needs.

On the evening of Friday, July 12, just one week before start of the festival celebration, Cooters in Luray announced that tickets for the three-day celebration would be canceled. Fans would need to revisit the Cooter’s website to order single day tickets for Saturday and/or Sunday – the days the festival would be held at the Luray fairgrounds.

The reason given for the last-minute change is noted on the Cooter’s website as, “[The] City of Luray has requested that we have solid attendance numbers and that we limit attendance to 8000 per day.”

It was not immediately clear if the town felt that Cooter’s would violate a town ordinance if attendance reached more than 8,000, or if this had been a last-minute decision by administrators. It was also not immediately clear just how many free tickets Cooter’s had already issued for the three-day celebration.

Screenshot of July 12 Facebook announcement by Cooter's, Luray.Photo byT. Leicher

Comments expressing anger and confusion soon flooded the Cooter’s Luray Facebook page. While some fans expressed annoyance at the town’s decision, many posted that they were able to secure the new tickets online. The business’ Facebook moderator seemed to be working overtime answering repeat questions and reassuring fans (for example, there are still events on Friday, July 19 at Cooters Luray on US 211 – but no tickets are needed for that location).

Comments on social media expressed concerns about what happens to the “extra” (beyond 8,000) people who might show up for the festival – happily presenting previously-reserved-tickets, only to be told that are now invalid.

When Friday’s cancellation announcement had been made by Cooter’s staff, the Luray town office had already closed for the weekend. Members of the Luray Town Council have not yet been reached for comment. Ben Jones or Alma Viator have also not yet been reached for comment.

The show must go on. The Cooter’s Facebook page posted the following positive message late Friday:

“New ticket [sic] doesn’t change the fact we are going to have a great time. We just need to know how many are coming Sat and how many are coming Sun. Y’all get your new ticket and come celebrate with us. Thank y’all for your support.”

Travel plans have been made, vacation time has been scheduled and rooms have been booked. Cooter’s in Luray just hopes they can reach everyone in time.