Some Shaky Knees attendees are asking for clearer emergency communication after Saturday night’s severe-weather evacuation at Piedmont Park. The festival later reopened for Twenty One Pilots, but some fans say they had already left after being told a restart was unlikely.
Atlanta News First spoke with attendees who described flooded roads, heavy rain and confusion after organizers ordered the park evacuated before 7 p.m.
Some fans left before the reopening notice
Attendee Haylee Solomon told the station she waited roughly 45 minutes and asked a staff member whether the festival would continue. She said the staff member indicated there was little to no chance of a restart, so she left to stay with family about 30 minutes away.
Later, attendees received a message that the gates would reopen for one headliner. Solomon said she was already away from the park by then.
Another attendee, Pam Hayes, said roughly two hours passed between the evacuation text and the reopening message, with no updates in between.
Safety decision versus communication
The criticism in the interviews focused on the flow of information, not the decision to evacuate during severe weather. Organizers had told attendees to leave the park, follow staff instructions and monitor official festival communications.
Atlanta News First said it contacted Shaky Knees organizers for a response and had not received one as of Sunday. The festival’s published ticket policy says sales are final and changes or cancellations to performers do not automatically trigger refunds.
