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Photos by John Smithson Diane Hall and Ray DeMarquez were dancing to music provided by The Surf 94.9 as the announcement was made Saturday afternoon that Beach Fest 2026 was unable to be held due to the all-day rain. Sponsors were thanked, especially the NMB Rescue Squad for being there. The radio station DJ had just saluted the dancing couple for dancing the entire day to music provided by the station as they waited for the rain to stop. Hall stated that “we got here at 10 a.m. And we made the best of the day. There was rain and music, so we danced.”

Beach Music Festival was rained out

People attending the Beach Fest 2026 music festival waited for hours under umbrellas hoping that the rain would stop and let the scheduled marquee bands uncover their sensitive instruments and equipment and entertain with beach music. Unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled mid afternoon last Saturday due to continuing rain.

By John Smithson

The 9th annual Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival was expected to be a full day of live music from The Commodores, The Band of Oz and Jim Quick & Coastline, dancing, and good vibes, at the parking lot between Main Street and First Avenue South.

Instead, concert-goers who arrived at 10 a.m. were greeted by umbrellas, puddles, and a bandstand with instruments covered. There was music provided by The Surf 94.9 radio. Attendees set up their chairs close to the stage under umbrellas.

The event organizers hoped the rain would move out and allow the festival to get started. However, no matter how many times you looked at the weather radar, the blue color still covered the coast and the rain wouldn’t stop.

As the day wore on people started to leave and finally the announcement was made that the festival couldn’t go on. Jim Quick made an appearance and had the radio station DJ play “It’s Over” by Roy Orbison. There were still people dancing and making the most of their day, but the last of the crowd picked up their chairs, coolers and rain gear and promised themselves that they would try again next year.

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