The 2025 Roots Picnic, held at the Mann Center in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, experienced significant delays on its opening day, May 31, due to severe weather conditions. Heavy rainfall from midnight until early morning led to waterlogged grounds, necessitating extensive site repairs and resulting in a three-hour delay in opening the festival gates. 

Attendees reported prolonged wait times and overcrowding at entry points. The Philadelphia Fire Department confirmed that at least 57 individuals required medical attention during the event, with emergency responders facing challenges accessing those in need due to dense crowds. 

Despite these issues, the festival proceeded with performances from artists including Maxwell, Latto, Musiq Soulchild, and GloRilla. Organizers cited the event's "rain or shine" policy and the successful delivery of scheduled performances as reasons for not issuing refunds. 

Questlove, drummer for The Roots and co-founder of the festival, addressed the situation on social media, explaining that the team prioritized safety by delaying the event to repair the site. He expressed gratitude to fans for their patience and understanding. 

The Roots Picnic, established in 2008, is an annual music festival celebrating Philadelphia's Black musical and cultural contributions. 

Credit:
Based on reporting from Rolling Stone and HotNewHipHop, June 3, 2025.