DwightFest

May 9, 2026, was an extraordinary day at Watersound Town Center in Santa Rosa Beach.
The music was incredible. The talent was exceptional. The atmosphere was electric.
But these picutres capture something even more meaningful.
It captures the heart behind DwightFest.
A belief that community matters.
A belief that local artists, musicians, hospitality professionals, service workers, and neighbors should never have to face life's unexpected hardships alone.
What began as a way to help one member of our community has grown into something much larger—a movement rooted in compassion, connection, and the power of people showing up for one another.
Every ticket purchased, every sponsor, every volunteer, every donation, and every song performed helped tell that story.
This wasn't just a concert.
It was a reminder of what's possible when a community comes together with purpose.
Thank you to everyone who believed in the mission, shared their gifts, and helped make this day unforgettable.
Together, we're building something special.
Together, we're making a difference.
This is DwightFest. ❤️


Photos courtesy of SOWAL.com many thanks to them for seeing our vision in this ever beautiful and growing community! SoWal

https://sowal.com/photos/dwightfest-at-watersound-town-center-2026

Dwightfest At Watersound Town Center 2026 On May 9th, 2026, DwightFest was quite the locals' jam at the Watersound Pavilion at Watersound Town Center on the east end of SoWal!

Good morning. Johnny and I just finished double checking the VIP count and we are indeed sold out on VIP seating.

We have about 100 General Admission spaces left. These are bring your own chair and a small cooler. Definitely bring your rain gear. If you want to bring tents (pop up canopies)to put up side by side in the green area to provide extra dry space feel free, but be prepared to share that dry space if you aren’t using it all. We want everyone to have a great time.

As we get more information, we will keep you updated. See you Saturday.

Mike

Hi friends. We believe we are out of VIP tickets at this time. We are doing a count and will review it tomorrow morning and will free up all we can.

We will be out early tomorrow morning evaluating the contingency plans we have developed for rain on Saturday. We hope we won’t need them, but we would be fools not to see the potential. That being said bring your rain gear. If you want to bring a tent to set up in the grass that would be fine, but be prepared to share your dry space. You can’t save everything you can cover for your group alone unless they fill your tent.

Lastly, gates open at 2. You can enter and get your space in general admission at that time. You will not be allowed to come in before then and put out your chairs. Thanks for cooperating on this.

You can bring a cooler with food or beverage of your choice. Don’t bring your big Coleman ice chest that takes a lot of room and blocks aisles. We cannot allow that for safe crowd management.

We will let you know what we have left tomorrow morning. At this point out best guess is no more ViP and maybe 100 GA. I’ll get you better information as soon as I have it.

Mike McCrary
Dwightfest Board Chair

Meet one of the most legendary musicians on the DwightFest lineup. Duke Bardwell is a Baton Rouge born singer, songwriter, and bassist who played bass on Elvis Presley's TCB Band Elvis Presley Music and has shared stages with some of the greatest names in music history.

Now calling the Emerald Coast home, Duke and his son TK are bringing that generational talent to Watersound Pavilion on May 9th from 3–8PM. Do not miss this one!

Grab tickets at: www.eventbrite.com/e/1983007138733?aff=oddtdtcreator

Walton County's finest goodtime string band is coming to DwightFest!

The Waco Ramblers bring their high energy bluegrass and rowdy good time sound to Watersound Pavilion on May 9th from 3–8PM. Come celebrate the hardworking locals who make the Emerald Coast so special with one of 30A's most beloved bands.

Grab your tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/1983007138733?aff=oddtdtcreator

We couldn't be more excited to have Dread Clampitt on the DwightFest stage this May 9th 🎸 If you're from the Gulf Coast, you already know, and if you don't, you're about to.

Born on the front porch of a Grayton Beach trailer back in 2002, Dread Clampitt has been cooking up something truly one of a kind ever since. Homegrownmusic Their sound is a homemade sonic gumbo of bluegrass, rock & roll, blues, jazz, and Louisiana Bayou funk, and they make it look effortless.

Featuring Mark Gillespie, Matt Miller, Kyle Ogle, and Balder Saunders, these guys are the real deal and we are so proud to call them home

🗓 May 9th, 2026 | 3–8 PM | Watersound Pavilion | DwightFest.com

Mark your calendars 🎶 DwightFest is coming May 9th, 2026 from 3–8 PM at Watersound Pavilion, and the lineup is STACKED.

Live music from Sam Bush and The Sam Band, Dread Clampitt, Waco Ramblers, Duke and TK Bardwell, and Saunders Boyz 🎸

Sam Bush is a progressive bluegrass legend, a mandolin master, Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the most electrifying live acts in the game. This is a bucket list show for any music lover on the Gulf Coast.

And it's all for a great cause, DwightFest is a music concert benefiting servers, artists, and musicians. Come out, enjoy incredible live music, and support the community that makes this place special 🙌

🗓 May 9th, 2026 | 3–8 PM | Watersound Pavilion

Tickets can be found at www.eventbrite.com/e/dwightfest-2026-tickets-1983007138733?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sorry had wrong poster.
Save the date this is going to be fun!
Tickets available soon!!!