West Chester Township's run as home to the VOA Country Music Festival is officially over. The festival has signed a five-year contract to operate at the Butler County Fairgrounds through 2031.

Festival founder Tyler Wogenstahl, president of Further Concepts and Investors, LLC, announced the deal Friday, Sept. 4, alongside Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, Commissioner Don Dixon, Prosecutor Mike Gmoser and Hamilton City Manager Craig Bucheit, WCPO reported.

The contract spells out what the fairgrounds will earn. Further Concepts will pay $75,000 in annual rent, plus 40% of parking proceeds, 60% of camping proceeds and a $3 surcharge on every ticket sold. All payments are due within 30 days of each year's festival.

The fairgrounds can terminate the agreement after any festival year, with or without cause. If Further Concepts misses a payment or defaults, the deal ends immediately. Further Concepts must also cover all festival expenses, including utilities and property damage.

The deal came together fast. Fairgrounds officials told WCPO negotiations lasted about eight days.

If both parties want to extend beyond 2031, they must agree by Sept. 30, 2031.

The festival debuted in 2023 at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester Township, drawing about 80,000 attendees. Attendance topped 100,000 in 2024 and 2025. But the relationship soured over money.

West Chester Township issued a March 19 breach notice accusing organizers of late payments after the 2024 and 2025 events and demanding $19,274.21 still owed from 2025. Township Administrator Lisa Brown warned Wogenstahl on April 15 that the payment was 27 days late and would trigger termination if not received by 4 p.m. that day. Wogenstahl delivered a cashier's check, and Brown confirmed receiving the full amount.

In a July 30 statement announcing it would not renew the festival's license, the township said the event had not produced enough local economic benefit to offset the costs of public safety, operations and property restoration.

Commissioner Dixon said the county is not financing the festival but supports events that attract visitors and generate revenue. "This is just the beginning," Dixon said on Sept. 4. "You will not recognize that facility in a few short years."

Jones said the fairgrounds will not need renovations for the 2027 festival. Jones and other county officials are still developing plans for parking and traffic around the property, which straddles Hamilton and Fairfield Township. The fairgrounds already draw at least 12,000 people during some Butler County Fair events, Jones said, and organizers plan to use nearby parking areas, including school properties.

The new site also opens up on-site camping for the first time. Wogenstahl said Aug. 28 that the privately financed festival has cost organizers $24 million over four years.

The fifth annual VOA Country Music Festival is scheduled for Aug. 5–7, 2027, at the Butler County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. The lineup has not been announced.