The celebration of country and rock music on the beach is almost here. Some beach areas in Gulf Shores are closed as crews set the stage for the 2025 Morgan Wallen's Sand in My Boots Festival. The festival will be May 16 – 18, replacing the long-running Hangout Festival.

Grant Brown, director of recreation and cultural affairs for Gulf Shores, said the beach area surrounding The Hangout and Gulf Place will be closed beginning May 12.

Gulf State Park and other areas will remain open.

"It's a big event that's coming, Brown said. "And even better news is that this year it is sold out, so we know it's going to be a big crowd."

Over 40,000 people are expected to attend the festival in Gulf Shores, which will bring added revenue to the city, restaurants, and local attractions.

Brown said the Sand in My Boots Festival sold out in 90 minutes.

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"I think the lineup really pairs well with our southeast customers," Brown added. "You've got to believe that it's a pretty good showing for people in the southeast, and we're all excited to see."

Local law enforcement is working alongside Gulf Shores Police.

Foley Police Chief Thurston Bullock said his team is offering mutual aid for safety and security. In Foley, additional patrols and traffic enforcement will occur before, during and after the event.

"We want to keep our roadways safe," Bullock said. "We ask that everyone traveling through Foley, whether going to the festival or not, be patient, obey traffic laws, and drive safely." 

National assets have been brought in to help with security and structural engineering to ensure the safety of festivalgoers.

This is the last year of the contract with AEG Presents, which has put on the music festival for 14 years. The city will evaluate how it goes and determine if a new contract will be executed. Brown said there will be opportunities for public input.

"Residents understand that it's important to our community and what this can bring in a town that lives and dies by tourism," he said. "You have to create demand at certain times of the year. Sometimes of the year demand just comes to you, but certain times of the year, you have to create it to bring in people. This is one of the things that turns May into a June as far as tourism."

Brown said the city wants to ensure residents feel safe and maintain the quality of life they are accustomed to.