More than 7,000 Rock the Beach with Doobie Brothers (UPDATED with PHOTOS)
OKALOOSA ISLAND – More than 7,000 people attended Rock the Beach, the first in a series of free summer concerts held to promote tourism in Okaloosa County.
Organizers accepted donations for the Emerald Coast Wildlife Foundation. The total amount collected will not be available until Monday.
“It’s definitely a wonderful turnout,” said Bill Leaman, coordinator of the event. “Seeing so many happy people, it’s just amazing. You have to admit, Kenny Loggins is just awesome.”
Read a story about the crowd's reaction to the concert here »
View a gallery of photos from the beach (will be updated throughout the day)»
Halfway into the show, Leaman had a list things he would change behind the scenes. Lt. Ken Christmas of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office also had a suggestion.
“We’ll have taxis on standby in the future,” he said.
Several intoxicated people were placed in cabs and sent home. Christmas said security had been lenient with people who were drinking until their actions disturbed others in attendance.
“Everybody’s pretty much behaving themselves. But it’s early,” Christmas said after Loggins wrapped up his act.
At press, only 10 people had been treated by EMS workers, said Darrel Wellborn, EMS shift commander.
Two of the 10 people were sent to the hospital, one with severe dehydration the other complained of chest pains. The majority of the other cases were lacerations and dehydration.
Crowds at the Rock the Beach concert swelled slowly Sunday afternoon. By 1 p.m., a few choice parking spaces at The Boardwalk could still be found.
“We’re the only tailgaters out here,” said Fort Walton Beach resident Ken Craig.
He and his friends backed their white Dodge Ram 1500 into their last-row parking space, careful to leave enough room for their party of six. They cranked up the radio, grilled up some hot dogs and shared memories of concerts on the beach and the last time they had seen the Doobie Brothers live.
“I haven’t seen them in years,” said Niceville resident Diane Williams. “I’m making the most of it.”
Ken Craig saw Heart, Molly Hatchet, Jefferson Starship and the Beach Boys at local beach concerts. He plans to attend every concert in the Rock the Beach concert.
“Why not? Supporting our area, that’s what it’s all about,”
Craig said, adding that BP should pick up the beer tab.
Matt and Diane Williams brought their 11-year-old to see Kenny Loggins and the Doobie Brothers for the first time.
“It’s nice that people are out there,” Matt Williams said.
“The beaches are still open and we need to be more positive.”
Destin residents Lynn Revels and Kathryn Ferlisi had another point of view to express. The pair propped up a sign that said, “Jesus is not alright with BP,” a play on the Doobie Brothers song, “Jesus is Just Alright.”
Ferlisi came in her swimsuit but had no plans to go swimming.
About 15 feet from her beach chair was a county-issued health advisory that supported those plans.
“Every time we go out here, we think it’s our last,” Ferlisi said.
Revels said she will keep coming to support the local beach – and she may even swim.
“We’re all scared and it’s the unknown that’s the most frightening,” she said.
See the story unfold.
7:20 P.M. - Kenny Loggins has completed his set and the Doobie Brothers are about to start their performance.
5:15 P.M. - Kenny Loggins has taken the stage, but hundreds of people continue to come in by shuttle.
Officials estimate the crowd to be between 4,500 and 5,000 people, but an official count isn't available, yet.
So far, only four people have visited EMS officials at the scene. One person was taken to the hospital with severe dehydration, said Darrel Wellborne, the Okaloosa County EMS shift commander.
"We're right on track of what we expected to be," he said.
4:50 p.m. - Officials have ordered all the umbrellas to come down on the beach as the final preparations begin for the concert.
The crowd has increased in size and there are only a few empty places left on the beach.
Many people continue to swim despite the red flags and a few boats have also pulled up to listen to the concert.
Kenny Loggins is set to kick off the concert in about 20 minutes.
3:50 p.m. - Ken Craig has seen Heart, Molly Hatchet, Jefferson Starship and the Beach Boys perform on Okaloosa Island and he plans to attend every concert in the Rock the Beach concert series.
“Why not? Supporting our area, that’s what it’s all about,” Craig said, adding that BP should pick up the beer tab.
Matt and Diane Williams brought their 11-year-old to see Kenny Loggins and the Doobie Brothers for the first time.
“It’s nice that people are out there,” Matt Williams said. “The beaches are still open and we need to be more positive.”
3:30 p.m. - Crowds at the Rock the Beach concert swelled slowly Sunday afternoon. By 1 p.m., a few choice parking spaces at The Boardwalk could still be found.
“We’re the only tailgaters out here,” said Fort Walton Beach resident Ken Craig.
He and his friends backed their white Dodge Ram 1500 into their last-row parking space, careful to leave enough room for their party of six. They cranked up the radio, grilled up some hot dogs and shared memories of concerts on the beach and the last time they had seen the Doobie Brothers live.
“I haven’t seen them in years,” said Niceville resident Diane Williams. “I’m making the most of it.”
3:26 p.m. - There is no opening act tonight. Kenny Loggins will hit the stage at 5:15 p.m. followed by the Doobie Brothers at 7:15 p.m.
3 p.m. - The sound check for the concert has begun, but people are still swimming and sitting under beach umbrellas. Kenny Loggins' band just finished with "Danger Zone," of Top Gun fame.
Out on U.S. Highway 98, traffic is moving at about the same pace it does every weekend and the shuttles are running on-schedule without any problems.
2 p.m. - The crowd has already started arriving for this evening's free concert on Okaloosa Island with the Doobie Brothers and Kenny Loggins.
Parking at The Boardwalk filled up by noon but there's still plenty of room on the beach for concert-goers.
Across the street at the Emerald Coast Conference Center, parking is still available, said Wes Fields, head of the center's security.
"We do (have parking) but it's filling up fast," Fields added.
Shuttle pickups have been set up at Uptown Station and the Emerald Grand in Destin.
Boardwalk vendors lowered their prices for food and drinks, said vendor Ashlee Hafner. Water is 50 cents, soft drinks a dollar and beers are $3.
