Jazz Fest did well in the weather department again as it bowed for it's second weekend. Temperatures were a few degrees warmer but the rain stayed away and a cloudier sky kept the heat from being uncomfortable.
Today was to have been the crowning achievement of the 50th annual fest: having The Rolling Stones bring its tour to the Fairgrounds for a special performance, with limited admission and all other stages shutting down 15 minutes before the Stones were scheduled to take the stage.
All that was rendered moot, of course, when the entire tour had to be cancelled because Stones front man Mick Jagger urgently needed a heart valve replacement.
Fleetwood Mac was quickly booked to take the Stones' time slot, and the rest of the fest schedule was expanded so the day would continue as normal. But then the band had it's health issue to deal with -- singer Stevie Nicks developed pneumonia while battling the flu -- and Fleetwood mac had to cancel its tour, too.
But with the jam band Widespread Panic added to the lineup, the rash of sudden cancellations ended and the second weekend opener that's come to be known as "Locals Thursday" went off without a hitch.
