Coconut Festival attracts over 21,000 during three-day run
The 6th annual Coconut Festival had an overall attendance of 21,300 during the three-day event, which was held over the weekend on the grounds of Sun Splash Family Waterpark.
Special Events Coordinator Todd King said more than half of the overall attendance came out to watch Back in Black, an AC/DC tribute band, along with headliner Foghat between 5 p.m. and midnight Saturday.
“That’s how crowded we were,” he said.
King explained that Saturday night organizers conducted a safety pause, which stopped the flow of traffic into the park for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. He said the pause provided the fire marshall and police department with the opportunity to take an assessment of the park’s accessibility and safety, before re-opening the gate to accommodate more people into the festival.
“It was phenomenal,” King said. “The best entertainment package I have ever booked. This is an AC/DC, Foghat kind of town.”
The crowd roared after the bands played Saturday night, King said, which was exciting.
Next year, they are hoping to push the fencing north by 30 feet in order to expand the venue and accommodate more audience members.