Words and Photos: Canonblue Lalley
Gulf Shores, AL – This past weekend, the beach down at Gulf Shores traded its usual Hangout Music Fest shenanigans for something a with a little kick, as the first-ever Sand In My Boots Festival dropped anchor on Alabama’s coast. With a vibrant blend of country, hip hop, dance, and rock energy, beach goers had plenty of eclectic playlists to keep them company no matter where they found themselves on the sprawling festival grounds.
Curated and headlined by Morgan Wallen, the three-day festival was a full-immersion summer ritual. A celebration of music and memory made in bare feet, sunburns, and slow-dancing on sand still warm from the day. From the first bassline that rolled over the dunes on Friday to the final note of Wallen’s Sunday night encore, the festival captured that familiar collective heartbeat that we’ve grown to expect from it’s predecessor.
And the festival attire? This wasn’t just about fans showing up, it was about them showing out. Whether they came for the music, the party, or simply to be part of something new, festivalgoers brought their A-game. Rhinestone cowboy boots filled with sand, local brews, and voices raised on every chorus, the energy was fun and laid back, even with the large crowd that hit around 100,000 people for the weekend. The addition of the Livin’ the Dream ticket tier had fans closer than ever to artists Paul Cauthen, ‘Ole 60 and Brooks and Dunn on the Sand In My Boots Stage.
