Hangout Festival Rebranded with Morgan Wallen Cancels 2026 Return
Gulf Shores, Alabama, recently witnessed a significant shift in its musical festival scene. The Hangout Festival was rebranded as Sand In My Boots this year, with country music star Morgan Wallen at the helm. However, plans for a 2026 return to the festival have been scrapped.
Reasons for Festival Cancellation
Mayor Robert Craft explained the decision to not hold the festival in 2026. He attributed it to a shortage of available artists and the conclusion of a ten-year franchise agreement that the city had with the festival. Despite receiving overwhelming support from the community in 2023, the festival organizers determined that they could not execute a successful event within the compressed timeline.
Community Support and Future Plans
In a statement, Mayor Craft highlighted that although the City Council approved a two-year extension for the festival returning in May 2026, the timeline was inadequate for successful planning. The festival organizers chose to prioritize quality over haste. Craft remarked, “We appreciate that they are being thoughtful in creating a lineup that will be impactful to our local economy.”
- 2023 Festival: Successful community support
- 2026 Cancellation Reason: Insufficient time for planning
- Future Expectation: Return in 2027
Impact of Recent Festival Changes
This cancellation follows recent trends in the festival circuit. Notably, the Field & Stream festival in Winnsboro, South Carolina, which Wallen co-acquired with Eric Church, also faced cancellation for two consecutive years. This raises questions about the future stability and planning of music festivals associated with prominent artists.
As Gulf Shores prepares for 2027, all parties involved remain hopeful for a well-executed event that contributes positively to the community’s economy.
