Should Morgan Wallen come back to Hangout? Gulf Shores wants to know what you think

Following the first ever Sand in My Boots music festival, which Gulf Shores representatives are calling “a successful event,” the city will be bringing the public in to help decide its future.

Organizers originally presented Sand in My Boots as a one-year takeover of the Hangout Fest.

But long before the gates even opened, the newcomer had quickly usurped its predecessor’s success, selling out just two hours after general admissions tickets opened up.

“From the safety perspective, the financial return, and the volume of supportive comments from locals and guests, the event seems to have been a home run,” Gulf Shores Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Grant Brown said.

“We still have to get through the breakdown and return of the beaches for general public use prior the holiday weekend, but even that seems to be going well.”

County music singer Morgan Wallen, part of the team that put the festival together, indicated he would be open to a repeat performance.

He told crowds during his closing night performance that he’d “heard nothing but great reports” about the weekend and added that he and his team would “try to do it again sometime.”

Before either one can return, organizers and Gulf Shores city leaders will have to come to terms on a new franchise agreement, as the old one expired with this year’s event, according to reports from AL.com’s Lawrence Specker.

And that’s where the public comes in, Brown said.

“As for what’s next relates to the franchise agreement…we plan to host an opportunity for public input so the mayor and city council, along with city staff, can listen to the thoughts and opinions expressed about the festival and its continuation,” he said.

“If sentiment is for a renewed franchise agreement, the particulars will be drafted and presented to the City Council in a public meeting to be voted on. We hope to have all this occur within the next few weeks.”