Monday, May 17, 2010

Despite delay, free tickets bring the crowds to Hangout Festival's last day

Michael Franti and Spearhead kicked off the revised evening slate, playing a sort of reggae-infused party music on the festival's largest, Gulf-front stage. At a single point, Franti invited a pair of crowd members on stage to play a rendition of Nirvana's classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with his band whilst he spirited off stage and into the crowd, exactly where he emerged on a sound riser to lead the crowd inside a sing-along.

"It's quite wild seeking out on the sea and considering there's a monster available ready to wash up on these shores," Franti explained.

On the opposite end in the beach, Ryan Miller, vocalist to the misty-eyed Boston pop ensemble Guster, recalled his last pay a visit to to south Baldwin County: "I grew up in Dallas, and one of my primary trips out in the state was right here," he explained.

To the first two days, the festival's predominant look was bikini tops for women, plaid or cowboy cut shirts for guys and bright, plastic-framed sunglasses for just about anyone. The predominant appurtenances Sunday shifted to ponchos, plastic bags and wet hair.

The rainy weather, however, did small to dampen the mood with the crowd, as well as city leaders and tourism officials, who mentioned they hope the festival will grow to be an yearly celebration in Gulf Shores.

"I'm only 1 person, but I believe it really is been hugely prosperous for our community," mentioned Gulf Shores City Councilman Jason Dyken although watching Franti's set. Festival organizer Shaul Zislin "delivered almost everything he promised and it really is been a world-class occasion."

Nearby, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft danced with his wife. Craft expressed apprehension from the fall when Zislin first proposed the event, but stated Sunday that his worries were unfounded and he anticipates the festival turning into an yearly celebration.

Grant Brown, who oversees Gulf Shores beaches and parks, was also emphatic in his praise of Zislin, a restaurateur and actual estate developer.

"I was incredibly early on convinced it could be profitable due to the crew he hired," Brown mentioned. "To see it come to fruition was verification of the vision that was a gift to Gulf Shores."

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