Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon is looking for a way to fill the void left by the cancellation of the Hangout/Sand in My Boots Festival.

The City of Gulf Shores announced earlier this week that the 2026 festival was called off. After hearing the news, Kennon spoke to Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft.

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“It's not necessarily that they have a desire to cancel it, but they want to be able to bring back something with a lineup like Sand in My Boots; they can't get it together before next year,” Kennon told 1819 News. “I think we all agree, and I am vehemently opposed to the old style of the festival with all the glitter, naked bodies and craziness, you know. So, if we have to lose a year and wait for the right kind of lineup that brings a little bit older crowd, a little bit more mature crowd that knows how to act and behave, then I think that's the best thing to do.”

During the COVID-19 crisis, Gulf Shores canceled the Shrimp Festival due to health concerns and volunteer shortages. Kennon created Freedom Fest in 2021 and has continued the event each year. However, he said he is not looking for a permanent replacement for the Gulf Shores music festival. He said he is being realistic and isn't expecting to create a festival to compete with Gulf Shores.

“I am going to talk with people and see if maybe we can put something together that would be fun,” Kennon said. “There are people in Orange Beach who have great Nashville ties, and I don't know if I could pull it off, but I'm certainly going to try. Not necessarily something to replace Hangout Festival, just maybe a smaller type thing.”

Kennon and Craft have both said they look forward to the Hangout Festival returning to Gulf Shores in 2027.

Since 2015, the festival, originally titled “The Hangout Festival” and renamed “The Sand in My Boots Festival” in 2025, has been a major economic driver for South Baldwin County. The festival brings people from all over to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley to stay, eat and shop.