Gulf Shores Town Hall: Sand in My Boots Returning in 2027, Officials Tell Residents Over Coffee

GULF SHORES, Ala. — The “Sand in My Boots” music festival will return to Gulf Shores in 2027, city officials told residents during an informal Gulf Shores town hall on the outdoor deck of Happy Pappy Coffee Shop, where Mayor Robert Craft and members of his administrative team also took questions on sidewalks, growth, parking, stormwater and new fitness facilities.

The open, interactive session gave residents a chance to talk directly with city leaders in a casual setting. Residents applauded several of the announcements and thanked officials for the open communication.

Sand in My Boots coming back in 2027

The biggest news of the session came from city spokesman Grant Brown, who announced that the Sand in My Boots festival will return to Gulf Shores in 2027. Brown said the official artist lineup is set to be unveiled in November.

The country music festival, created by Morgan Wallen, debuted on the Gulf Shores public beach in May 2025 and drew large crowds to the city. Organizers did not hold the festival in 2026.

Craft said event security remains a top concern and that comprehensive safety details are being built into planning for the festival’s return. He also noted that in the year without the major festival, higher taxes were paid to the city.

Large beach festivals in Gulf Shores require extensive coordination among the city, police, fire and rescue, and organizers, including crowd management, traffic control, medical services and plans for severe weather.

Sidewalks, paths and TAP grants

Asked about expanding paths and sidewalks, Craft said adding pedestrian connections remains a high priority for the city.

Brown said Gulf Shores is actively pursuing Transportation Alternatives Program grants, known as TAP grants, to help pay for those projects and improve connectivity across the city. The federal program, administered in Alabama by the Alabama Department of Transportation, helps fund projects such as sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use trails and other improvements for people walking and biking. TAP awards typically require a local funding match.

Managing growth through the comprehensive plan

Residents raised a familiar concern: how fast Gulf Shores is growing. Craft said the city’s comprehensive plan is the primary tool for managing development and urged residents to fill out the city’s online community surveys, saying public input is vital to guiding future growth.

Gulf Shores is working on The Gulf Shores Plan, a 20-year comprehensive plan that looks ahead to 2045. A comprehensive plan serves as a city’s long-range guide for decisions on land use, transportation, utilities, parks and public investments, and it shapes later updates to zoning and subdivision rules.

On utilities, Craft praised Gulf Shores Utilities for doing an exceptional job keeping water capacity ahead of the city’s growing needs.

New fitness outlets at Gateway Community Park

City leaders also discussed plans for new recreation and fitness facilities. Brown said the 127-acre Gateway Community Park will be the targeted location for new fitness outlets and outdoor activity spaces.

Officials did not give a timeline or cost estimate for the additions during the session.

Airport called the ‘most exciting’ project

Craft highlighted progress at Gulf Shores International Airport as the city’s most exciting new project, pointing to the early success and popularity of commercial airline service.

Allegiant Air began commercial passenger service at the airport in May 2025 and is currently its only commercial carrier. The airport, long a general aviation field, also received a $2.5 million state grant earlier this fall as it works to expand. During Hurricane Isaias, the airport closed briefly before the storm and reopened without apparent damage, and it has since served as a base for a volunteer pilot group flying relief supplies to storm-damaged areas inland.

Parking, stormwater and finances

The conversation also touched on several other topics residents care about:

• Beach parking permits: Residents asked about local beach parking permits. The City Council has recently been weighing changes to how beach parking permits work.
• Stormwater: Residents raised stormwater management following recent heavy storms.
• City finances: Officials discussed the city’s overall fiscal performance.

Gulf Shores 101: Learn how the city works

To close the meeting, Craft encouraged residents to get involved in local government by enrolling in Gulf Shores 101, a seven-week civic engagement program hosted by Public Engagement Manager Lauren Trawick. The program is designed to teach residents how municipal operations work.

Programs like Gulf Shores 101 typically introduce participants to city departments such as police, fire, public works, planning and recreation, and to how the budget and council process work. Residents interested in enrolling can contact the city’s public engagement office or check the city’s website for details on upcoming sessions.

How to stay involved

• Take the community surveys: Craft urged residents to complete the city’s online surveys tied to the comprehensive plan.
• Attend council meetings: The Gulf Shores City Council holds regular meetings at City Hall that are open to the public.
• Watch for the festival lineup: The Sand in My Boots 2027 lineup is expected to be announced in November.
• Sign up for Gulf Shores 101: Contact Public Engagement Manager Lauren Trawick’s office for information on the seven-week program.