KORN, BREAKING BENJAMIN And Others Forced To Cancel Performances At WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE Due To Thunderstorms

KORN, BREAKING BENJAMIN and SKILLET are among the bands who were forced to cancel their performances Friday night (May 20) at the Welcome To Rockville festival at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida after the event shut down early because of thunderstorms.

Shortly after 10:00 p.m., concert promoter Danny Wimmer Presents released a statement to fans on social media, saying: "We regret to inform you that the forecast currently has a high risk of continued weather over the next few hours. There is currently a break in the weather, so please exit the Grandstands immediately and calmly return to your vehicle or campsite. Regretfully, the remainder of tonight's performances have been cancelled. Thank you and see you tomorrow (Saturday) at 12:30 p.m."

The promoter's announcement came a little more than 30 minutes before KORN, the night's headliner, was slated to take the stage.

Earlier in the evening, it was announced that MEGADETH would not make its scheduled Friday night performance because of "travel delays."

Welcome To Rockville opened on Thursday and was scheduled to feature appearances by nearly 90 acts over four days through Sunday (May 22).

KISS headlined the event on Thursday, with GUNS N' ROSES scheduled to close the show on Saturday (May 21) and NINE INCH NAILS on Sunday.

40,000 fans daily were expected to attend the festival, according to the promoter.

Many fans who purchased tickets for Friday's performances were understandably upset about the cancelations, with some asking for a refund. However, as per the Welcome To Rockville web site, "No refunds or exchanges will be given as a result of weather conditions; and no refunds or exchanges will be given for inclement or severe weather that necessitates an evacuation, delay or cancellation in part or whole of the event."

It is not presently clear if the weather conditions will affect any of Saturday's performances. According to the National Weather Service, there is an 80% chance of rain throughout the day and evening, with rainfall amounts expected to be between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Tonight, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then isolated showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Welcome To Rockville was a popular outdoor concert festival fixture in Jacksonville for nearly a decade before being moved to Daytona Beach. Its May 2020 debut in its new location was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic before it returned for its 10th edition last November at its new home.