By Will Estell
If you’re a fan of world-class live music, and doing good while having fun, then you definitely want to make plans to be a part of Northwest Florida’s newest outdoor music extravaganza: The first annual DwightFest, happening December 7th and 8th right in the heart of world-famous 30A, at Gulf Place Green Space and Amphitheater.
This outdoor music festival is named in honor of 30A legend, and pottery artist extraordinaire, Dwight Ward. After suffering a severe stroke in 2023, Ward found himself unable to produce his art, after doing so for over three decades. Several of his friends decided a festival named in his honor was the best way to celebrate Dwight’s achievements while also helping him with his ongoing medical costs, and at the same time passing along Dwight’s lifelong willingness to help other artists also in need.
Besides seeing and hearing an array of both internationally touring and regional musical acts you’ll also be helping some very deserving recipients by attending. All profits generated from DwightFest will go toward financially supporting both Dwight Ward and other local artists – along with area service workers and entertainers- who have experienced difficult times due to various medical reasons.
Dwight Ward, along with many of his local artist friends, experienced the loss of their longtime art retail space, The Artists at Gulf Place huts, which Dwight himself founded back in 2002. Over the years the Gulf Place huts – or artists village as many came to know it as- became synonymous with local art, becoming a 30A go to for many locals and tourists alike who would shop the huts over their 20 plus years of existence. That all came to an end in 2023, thanks in no small part to a 2022 change of ownership that saw the artists, along with multiple local store owners, forced to relocate from the popular shopping staple as the mighty monster of corporate greed once again began overtaking what was once a sacred local treasure.
As for the music, DwightFest will bring a wide array of musicians and bands, from multiple genres, including the chart-topping sensation Paul Thorn, the talented Joanna Cotten of Eric Church’s band, Nashville’s Laura Lamb, two-time Grammy winner Timothy Bloom, world touring artist Grayson Capps, country singer Shelly Fairchild, local favorite Greg Barnhill, the chart-topping Emily West, and one of my personal friends and favorite singer songwriters – who also happens to be Dwight’s niece – Casey Kearney along with local 30A favorites, Queens Ransom.
In addition to loads of great music, the two-day weekend event will also include drink stations, food trucks, festival merchandise, and about as much fun as you can possibly have while also supporting such a worthwhile local cause.
Visit DwightFest.com or DwightFest.eventbrite.com for your general admission & VIP weekend passes, and check out DwightFest on facebook while you’re at it.
Full Lineup & Schedule:
Saturday December 7th Lineup
Band Bucket of Bullets Band 10am-11am
Waco Ramblers 11:20am-12:20pm Casey Kearney Band + Queens Ransom 12:40pm-1:40pm
Blue Mother Tupelo 2pm-3pm
Laura Lamb 3:20pm-4:20pm
Geoff McBride 4:40pm-5:40pm
Grayson Capps & Corkey Hughes 6pm-7pm
& Paul Thorn 7:30pm-9pm
Sunday December 8th Lineup
Pickled Pickers 11am-12pm
Timothy Bloom 12:20pm-1:20pm
Emily West 1:40pm-2:40pm
Percy Bady 3pm-4pm
Shelly Fairchild 4:20pm-5:20pm
Greg Barnhill 5:30pm-6:30pm
& Joanna Cotten 6:45pm-7:45pm
