'Blackfish' documentary threatens SeaWorld's 2014 'Bands, Brew and BBQ Festival,' Kid Rock and Allan Jackson support theme park
After the release of the revealing documentary about the treatment of Orcas in captivity, Blackfish, the theme park SeaWorld has been under a lot of scrutiny. One of the fallouts from the negative image portrayed in the documentary was the departure of many musical acts set to perform at this year's "Bands, Beer and BBQ Festival." Despite the other acts leaving the event and controversy surrounding the theme park, musicians Kid Rock and Allan Jackson have signed on to headline the festival.
"The bands and artists have a standing invitation to visit any of our parks to see firsthand or to speak to any of our animal experts to learn for themselves how we care for animals and how little truth there is to the allegations made by animal extremist groups opposed to the zoological display of marine mammals," SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck said when the other bands dropped out in November of last year.
Performers like Heart, Willie Nelson and other decided against supporting the theme park during this controversial time. This has not stopped Rock and Jackson.
The Orlando Sentinel reports:
The theme park announced the additions on Wednesday, three days before the event debuts. Jackson will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday, while Kid Rock will take the stage at the park's Bayside Stadium at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The remainder of this year's Bands, Brew & BBQ concert lineup was not revealed. Future performers will be announced during the week before the days they are scheduled to appear. The event will run on Saturdays and Sundays through March 9 as originally planned.