GONZALES, Texas -- Organizers Tuesday morning announced the annual Float Fest this year will be relocated to Gonzales, Texas.

Gonzales is located about 70 miles east of San Antonio, in Gonzales County. Via a press release organizers said the annual festival will still include live music, camping and the opportunity to float on a river. Organizers say the property on which the festival will take place is three times larger than those used in past festivals.

“Float Festival is happening and we are excited about that. We have been working on another location for months. We have been thinking about moving the festival for some time now to allow for an expansion and more attendees, and a great opportunity presented itself with Gonzales,” Float Fest founder Marcus Federman said in a statement.

It's been a long road for Federman, first applying for a permit at its original home in Guadalupe County on the San Marcos River. In January, the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court voted to deny a permit for the sixth annual festival. The majority of the court ruled against the Float Fest permit for 25,000 attendees after more than three hours of discussion. 

READ MORE | Float Fest 2019 Lineup Announced

Ultimately, the impact on the roads around the Cool River Ranch where Float Fest was held was the deciding factor. About 10 community members spoke with various complaints about Float Fest, from being disturbed by the loud music and hearing profanity in the songs, to being concerned about the river. 

Federman set his sights on Gonzales, but was denied by the City Council, which cited a pending lawsuit against the venue Federman was interested in holding the festival at.

On Tuesday, Gonzales County Judge Pat Davis approved Federman's mass gathering permit, allowing Float Fest the opportunity to hold the music festival on the Guadalupe River.

"I feel that this will be a great opportunity to give the Float Fest community and Mr. Federman the opportunity to come to our great historical city and put on a Float Fest," Davis said.

Only one person spoke in opposition at Tuesday's hearing, citing concerns about river quality and explicit music.

"I spent a lot of time cleaning the river, a lot of money cleaning the river. We are a professional event that runs a first class operation," Federman said. "We're really excited about coming here and bringing the city and this county a lot of revenue."

That promise of revenue is what fueled the opinions of people who spoke at the hearing.

"An ungodly amount of money will be able to flow into our county on the economic side. I'm sure that even though some of the people won't leave, that some people are going to venture into town eat at our restaurants, to see what Gonzales has to offer." -- Gonzales County Judge Pat Davis

Holiday Inn Express manager Alison Rodriguez said the hotel went through some rough years, so she's in support of anything that could bring in sales and hotel taxes.

"We should at least give Float Fest and Marcus a shot. I have the same concerns but I really believe that this is going to be a good thing for Gonzales," Rodriguez said.

Attorney and Gonzales resident Noel Reese agrees with Rodriguez.

"We need revenue. The amount of sales tax that 10,000 to 20,000 people can bring to Gonzales over the weekend far outweighs the fact that some people don't like the choice of music," Reese said.

Davis also said looking at plans from Federman, he and law enforcement were able to determine where to staff emergency personnel along the roadways at peak times to ensure safety.

"It's very hard for me as judge to deny anything in reference to this because I believe all the bases are pretty much covered," Davis said.

Float Fest will be held on July 20 and July 21. If the festival plans to return in 2020, another permit hearing would need to happen to be approved. 

Organizers said that on-site river access will be available this year eliminating the need for shuttle buses. In addition, the camp grounds are a pecan orchard located near the Guadalupe River and 20x20 camping spaces will be available.

Past Float Fest performers include Weezer, Tame Impala, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Cage The Elephant. For more information, visit the Float Fest Website.