Rock by the Sea’s annual charity music festival found a new home at Al’s Beach Club and Burger Bar at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island this year, with the venue donating a portion of its proceeds to support the organization’s mission.
- The four-day music festival, which took place May 1-4 at the Gulf-side venue after three years at Rick’s on the Island, featured an impressive lineup including Sister Hazel, Emerson Hart, Will Hoge, Brian Vander Ark and many more performers.
“Anytime there’s a change in venue, it’s stressful; however it exceeded all expectations,” said Beth Gosnell, president and founder of Rock by the Sea. “You can’t go wrong with the recipe that we had — music, beach, community and love. It was perfect.”
On Monday, May 19, The Boardwalk presented Rock by the Sea with a donation of $10,531 which represented 20% of gross sales from the festival, taken from both Floyd’s and Al’s locations.
“It’s fantastic,” said Clint Rogers, Director of Operations for Saltwater Restaurant Group. “We want to continue to be involved in the community, and we want to give back where we can to organizations that support local charities.”
Rock by the Sea, now in its 19th year, has donated over $1 million to various charities since its inception in 2007. The organization focuses primarily on children’s charities but also supports Hop on a Cure, an ALS charity founded by John Hopkins from the Zac Brown Band.
- “We’re a not-for-profit that hosts music events for charitable organizations that deliver direct services,” Gosnell said. “We tend to focus more on smaller charities because there is a little more bang for the buck.”
The volunteer-led organization hosts multiple events throughout the year, including music festivals in May, September and December.
“I like to say it’s the best music you’ve never heard because a lot of performers are up-and-coming,” Gosnell said.
Rogers said the event was exceptionally well-organized. “There’s always some highs and lows and some things that you have to work through, but this was so simple, so easy, and yet so entertaining and fun,” he said.
- Plans are already underway for next year’s event, scheduled for April 29-30 and May 1-3.
“I’ve already got some acts lined up,” Gosnell said, with Rogers adding they plan to “take what we did successfully this year and expand on that.”
Visit the following for more information on Al’s Beach Club and Rock by the Sea.
One Response
Thank you coming out to Al’s this morning! Rock by the Sea is ecstatic to be able to return to this beautiful coast and amazing venues next year! It’s going to be the best yet. We’re already planning!