CAROLINA BEACH — This weekend, a time honored coastal tradition is set to take place. The 32nd Annual Carolina Beach Music Festival combines beach music, dancing and plenty of beer in one of the longest-running beach music festivals in the country.
The event, set this year for Saturday, June 3, right off the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, is hosted each year by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. It’s been billed the “the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast.”
“Budweiser, I think it was Jacksonville Brewing, organized this event 32 years ago,” said Greg Reynolds with the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. “But it was kind of an out of control free-for-all when they started offering $1 beers on the beach, so we took over around the 12th or 14th year.”
This year, the festival will host three of the “hottest” beach music bands in the South. The day kicks off with “Band of Oz” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band” from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and “Jim Quick and Coastline” from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
“This kind of beach music covers everything,” Reynolds said. “There’s just something for everyone.”
According to a release from the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, these bands offer that laid-back style of rhythm and blues music, that has deep roots on the Carolina Coast.
A multi-generational event
The event, which is co sponsored by the Cape Fear Shag Club, is catered to party people of all ages. The group promises to “bring together a multi-generational family crowd that lets the music flow like the crashing of the waves where you can shag a little, boogie a little and smile a lot.”
Reynolds says the Cape Fear Shag Club is looking to keep the historic dance alive. Members will be showing off some of their moves and talking about the history of the Shag in between shows.
Good Hops Brewing company will be on hand to serve craft beer on the beach. If that isn’t quite your style, coolers are welcome and encouraged, just leave the glass at home. Glass bottles are not allowed on the beach.
Budweiser is also sponsoring the event: if you show up with an Anheuser Busch product, you can register to win some “Budweiser swag,” including a special edition bicycle.
If you need to beat the heat, Reynolds said that boardwalk restaurants will be open for business, offering air conditioning and nourishment for weary Shaggers.
The event is ticketed for 3,000 people, and according to Reynolds, it’s selling out fast.
“This event will sell out,” Reynolds said. “So don’t wait till the day of to buy them. Last year we had to turn away hundreds of people at the door, It’s a really fun time, and it’s growing in popularity every year.”
Reynolds wants people to have a good time, just make sure you drink responsibly, and have a designated driver to get you home.
“Our goal is to get everybody on the beach having a good time,” Reynolds said. “But we want to make sure we keep it in the right lane.”
Advance tickets are $25, and can be purchased on the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce website, through Eventbrite. Tickets are $30 at the gate, cash only. Glass and pets are prohibited, all ticket sales are final.
For more information, visit the website at pleasureislandnc.org, and follow the Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for the latest information.
