ENTERTAINMENT

New music festival coming to Navarre Beach

JENNIE McKEON
jmckeon@nwfdailynews.com

NAVARRE BEACH — Mark your calendars for the Navarre Beach Bash.

The Greater Navarre Area Chamber of Commerce (GNACC) has partnered with Broussard's Bayou Grill to create the inaugural music festival for the beach. The date is set for Oct. 13.

TJ Goulet, CEO of GNACC, said he has wanted to see a music festival come to Navarre Beach for years. There have been some attempts in recent years, but none have become an annual event. He hopes to change that.

"One of the chamber board members works with the Mullet Festival and got us in touch with the production company," Goulet said. "And then it very quickly became something we wanted to do."

Several local businesses and the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council have already signed on to support the event.

Although the bands have not yet been booked, Goulet said he's been getting a number of calls from promoters since the news of the Navarre Beach Bash was made public. Goulet said he's looking to feature about 10 bands throughout the day. In its inaugural year, the festival likely won't have any big headliners, but Goulet said it will be "good music and a good time" regardless. More details will become available in mid-July when tickets go on sale.

"We're not going to have Van Halen," he said with a laugh. "But we're looking to have all kinds of acts play throughout the day."

The Navarre Beach Bash is aimed to have a "broad appeal" with food and beverage stands, kids' activities and VIP seating. Tickets will be priced between $10 to $20. Goulet said he hopes to see the event grow into a two-day festival.

"We're looking to create an event that is a lot of fun and affordable," he said. "Make it appealing so that the big acts will want to come here over time. We're hoping this is the first Navarre Beach Bash for many many years to come."