The beachside music festival “Sand In My Boots” is officially returning to the Alabama Gulf Coast from May 20–23, 2027. While the multi-day event takes place on the shores of Gulf Shores, the economic wave from the festival will spread across South Baldwin County, bringing substantial revenue to Foley’s hotels, restaurants, and retail centers.
Originally debuting in 2010 as the Hangout Music Festival, the event underwent a major transformation in 2025 when country superstar Morgan Wallen and promoter AEG Presents rebranded it as “Hangout Presents: Sand In My Boots”. The inaugural 2025 edition shifted the musical focus toward country, Southern rap, indie, and rock, featuring headliners like Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, and HARDY alongside hitmakers such as Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman, and Ella Langley.
The 2025 festival was a massive success, selling out all 40,000 daily tickets within 90 minutes. City and law enforcement officials noted an orderly, well-behaved crowd, with arrests dropping to 37 compared to 94 during the 2024 festival.
Despite this success, organizers and local officials agreed to take a hiatus in 2026. Because contract negotiations and public input meetings extended into the summer, organizers lacked sufficient time to book top-tier talent. Skipping 2026 ensures adequate lead time to secure a premier lineup for 2027, which is scheduled to be announced this November.
Broad Impact for South Baldwin Businesses. While the music plays at the beach, the economic impact reaches every corner of South Baldwin County. Past festival iterations generated up to $60 million in total regional economic impact, with over $5 million in direct spending and tax revenues.
For Foley, the return of 40,000 daily attendees creates an influx of visitors seeking lodging, dining, and shopping outside the immediate beach strip:
- Lodging & Short-Term Rentals: Foley hotels, vacation rentals, and RV parks benefit directly from overflowing beach accommodations as fans seek convenient stays along the Highway 59 corridor.
- Dining & Hospitality: Local restaurants, coffee shops, and eateries in Foley experience high customer traffic before and after daily show times, mirroring nearby coastal dining spots that report business surges over 20% during festival weekend.
- Retail & Local Services: Foley’s commercial hubs—including shopping centers, gas stations, and convenience stores—see sustained demand as travelers stock up on travel supplies, beach gear, and groceries.
As municipal leaders and business owners look ahead to May 2027, the return of “Sand In My Boots” promises to serve as a vital economic engine for the entire region, boosting commerce across South Baldwin County well before the peak summer season officially begins.
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