If the cool weather that's been rolling through this spring and early summer has left you less than motivated to get out to the beach, you're in luck! Downtown Grand Rapids will be hosting the Sun of a Beach Festival, wherein attendees get to listen to a Jimmy Buffet cover band on a man-made beach in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. If you're looking for a quick, memorable mini-vacation right here in West Michigan, the Sun of a Beach Festival this Friday may be exactly what you're looking for!
The promoters are saying that they will be turning downtown into Margaritaville (that's a Jimmy Buffet reference for those too young to get it) for one day only. They will be bringing in sand, music, and vendors, and Mother Nature will hopefully provide plenty of sun! The two bands slated to perform at the Sun of a Beach Festival are Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, and ZBTB, a Zac Brown Tribute Band.
Food and drink vendors will be in attendance as well, so remember to bring state issued identification to ensure access to the tasty, cool drinks everyone will be sipping. One of the featured items, a new line of sparkling alcoholic beverages called Palm Breeze, is also a sponsor of the event. Given that their flavors are Pineapple Mandarin Orange and Ruby Red Grapefruit, these little boozy drinks will surely be a hit at a Jimmy Buffet and beach-themed party, such as Sun of a Beach.
The Sun of a Beach Festival is scheduled to take place this Friday, June 5th, 2015, in the parking lot of the 50 Monroe Ave building. The parking lot is going to be covered in sand, brought in by a cavalcade of trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chair and blankets, but not beach umbrellas. Event goes will get to enjoy sand, sun, and delicious drinks while listening to some incredible, upbeat music right in the heart of the city.
Tickets for the Sun of a Beach Festival are available for pre-sale now, at $10 per ticket. They can be purchased via Ticketleap. Those who pre-purchase their tickets instead of buying one on Friday will get a free alcoholic beverage included in their ticket price. Readers who are interested but can not attend the festival this year can also like Sun of a Beach Festival on Facebook to get updates in their social media feed about future cities hosting this unique and fun event.
If you enjoy tropical destinations, Jimmy Buffet music, or just need an excuse to break out the flip-flops while enjoying the Grand Rapids nightlife, Sun of a Beach is probably just want the proverbial doctor ordered! The gates open at 6 pm, and organizers are encouraging people to arrive early to ensure a great spot on the beach/parking lot. The party will last until 10 pm, at which point there are still plenty of other entertainment options in Downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets are available online and at the event on Friday (unless they sell out).