How long has Willie Nelson held the 4th of July Picnic?

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN’s coverage of when it was announced Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic concert would not be held in Texas in 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Willie Nelson held the inaugural 4th of July Picnic concert in 1973 ; however, the now-annual festival has had its fair share of incidents along the way.

During the second annual picnic, there was a fire which destroyed property. The following year, Nelson was fined $1,000 for violating the Texas Mass Gatherings Act.

Before additional security measures were added in the 1980s, the three-day concert in 1976 resulted in one drowning, four stabbings, four kidnappings and three reports of sexual assault. There were also 140 arrests made during the event.

In 2024, for the first time in 15 years, it was announced the picnic would not take place in Texas .

“This Fourth of July, the Philadelphia area will be the epicenter of music, history, and celebration as Willie Nelson’s renowned 4th of July Picnic descends upon the City of Brotherly Love,” the event’s website said.

In the past, the event has been held in Texas, excluding only a handful of times it was not. Prior to 2024, the most recent time it was held outside of Texas was in 2009 in South Bend, Indiana.

Other locations included:

• Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1977
• Kansas City, Missouri, in 1978
• Atlanta, Georgia, in 1983
• George, Washington, in 2007

The lineup for this year’s event includes Bob Dylan, duo Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples, Celisse and, of course, Willie Nelson and Family.

“From country to folk to rock ‘n’ roll, this year’s picnic this year’s picnic promises an unforgettable experience for everyone, uniting generations of music lovers in celebration of America’s birthday,” the event’s website said.

Attendees can expect a day filled with live music, food and drinks to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

The event takes place at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey.

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