The Hangout Fest kicks off huge weekend

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - TRANSFORMING THE BEACH

It’s an amazing transformation for the beach in Gulf Shores, and people walking by were literally gaping at the work going on.

”It’s pretty awesome. It really is. [I'm] just amazed how good these guys are on this machinery - how quick they are doing this,” a man visiting from Tennessee said.

Organizers are preparing for the sold-out Hangout Fest - a three-day mega-concert with more than 75 acts, all on the sugar-white sands of Gulf Shores. Hangout owner Shaul Zislin is overseeing the prep work.

”We’re good," Zislin said. "We’re on schedule. I know it looks chaotic, but it is controlled chaos. I feel good about it. I think we’ll get it all done.”

Zislin said they’re bringing more than just music to the beach. There’s carnival rides, kids games and even a massive sky bar overlooking the ocean.

”It will be a great three days and if the weather holds off and it’s like this. It’s exactly how we envisioned it,” Zislin added.

GREAT FOR BUSINESS

Landscaper Ron Kutter has been busy planting palms. In one spot he’ll stack them in so tight they’ll call it a rain forest.

”Just packed full of palm trees. I still have thirty more to put in here and there’s going to be hammocks and misting stations. It's something unique and different to the beach,” Kutter said.

Kutter, who lost a lot of business last year during the oil spill, said the Hangout Fest is great for him and other beach businesses.

”I think that everybody’s looking at this as a barometer for the summer to come. You know, it’s been sold out for quite a while, so I think that’s going to be an indication of what the beaches can expect for 2011,” Kutter said.

Of the nearly sixty rental companies and hotels in southern Baldwin County, less than a third have any availability this weekend.

The Hangout Festival isn’t the only big event going on. The NAIA Softball championship kicks off in Orange Beach, along with the Bama Cruise car show, and then there’s country superstar Kenny Chesney. He’s playing Saturday night at the Wharf. All of this in hopes of getting the economy kick-started for the upcoming summer season.