General discussion & info about South Walton, Florida.

All About SoWal

Advertise or find a business, discuss business.

Business & Services

Jobs

Festivals, classes, gatherings, activities.

Events & Music

Food & Dining

Marketplace

property, realtors, builders, development, infrastructure ...

Real Estate

Long Term Rentals

Vacation Rentals

SoWal Lounge

James Bentwood

Beach Fanatic

[QUOTE="Matt J, post: 937539, member: 4760"]
So apparently the rash of "can't make it" sales of tickets are due to the vaccination or testing requirement.
[/QUOTE]
Not surprised. I bet there's some stupid angry calls for refunds.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Matt J">So apparently the rash of &quot;can&#039;t make it&quot; sales of tickets are due to the vaccination or testing requirement.</blockquote>Not surprised. I bet there&#039;s some stupid angry calls for refunds.

PoppaJ

SoWal Insider

“All people who have purchased a ticket to the 30A Songwriters Festival in advance of the Festival weekend or at the Festival Box Office in order to attend all or part of the Festival are hereinafter referred to as Festival Patrons. All Festival Patrons MUST present a negative COVID test (within the previous 72 hours), along with a valid government-issued photo ID, to receive a 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL wristband. (Note: Festival Patrons may choose to present proof of full vaccination in lieu of a negative test).”

Jenksy

Whiny baby fascist Gaetz needs to shut up.

Leader of the Banned

[QUOTE="Jenksy, post: 937618, member: 22208"]
Whiny baby fascist Gaetz needs to shut up.
[/QUOTE]
It would take balls, and be costly, but I'd like to see the festival cancelled if those bastards prevail.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Jenksy">Whiny baby fascist Gaetz needs to shut up.</blockquote>It would take balls, and be costly, but I&#039;d like to see the festival cancelled if those bastards prevail.

[B]Isn’t the TDC funded via a bed tax paid by tourists?
The cruise I took last month departing from Tampa required proof of full vaccination and testing for all passengers prior to sailing. What’s the difference?[/B]


In his letter to DeSantis, Gated noted that taxpayer funds via the Tourist Development Council of Walton County are used to produce this event.

“Vaccine passports should not be funded by Florida taxpayers,” Gaetz says.

<b>Isn’t the TDC funded via a bed tax paid by tourists?<br />
The cruise I took last month departing from Tampa required proof of full vaccination and testing for all passengers prior to sailing. What’s the difference?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
In his letter to DeSantis, Gated noted that taxpayer funds via the Tourist Development Council of Walton County are used to produce this event.<br />
<br />
“Vaccine passports should not be funded by Florida taxpayers,” Gaetz says.

bob1

[QUOTE="Poppaj, post: 937629, member: 30199"]
[B]Isn’t the TDC funded via a bed tax paid by tourists?
The cruise I took last month departing from Tampa required proof of full vaccination and testing for all passengers prior to sailing. What’s the difference?[/B]


In his letter to DeSantis, Gated noted that taxpayer funds via the Tourist Development Council of Walton County are used to produce this event.

“Vaccine passports should not be funded by Florida taxpayers,” Gaetz says.
[/QUOTE]
Cruise companies make big donations while guvment threatens to sue?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Poppaj"><b>Isn’t the TDC funded via a bed tax paid by tourists?<br />
The cruise I took last month departing from Tampa required proof of full vaccination and testing for all passengers prior to sailing. What’s the difference?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
In his letter to DeSantis, Gated noted that taxpayer funds via the Tourist Development Council of Walton County are used to produce this event.<br />
<br />
“Vaccine passports should not be funded by Florida taxpayers,” Gaetz says.</blockquote>Cruise companies make big donations while guvment threatens to sue?

[QUOTE="bob1, post: 937636, member: 16511"]
Cruise companies make big donations while guvment threatens to sue?
[/QUOTE]
Norwegian was initially going to comply with DeSantis by allowing the unvaxxed aboard, but they were going to have limited access to the ship’s facilities and be separated from the fully vaccinated guests.
The festival should consider doing the same.
A more simple solution could be to give Gaetz a high school yearbook to divert his attention.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="bob1">Cruise companies make big donations while guvment threatens to sue?</blockquote>Norwegian was initially going to comply with DeSantis by allowing the unvaxxed aboard, but they were going to have limited access to the ship’s facilities and be separated from the fully vaccinated guests.<br />
The festival should consider doing the same.<br />
A more simple solution could be to give Gaetz a high school yearbook to divert his attention.

Beauford

Beach Lover

Matt J

SWGB

I'm so glad that our federal representative has nothing better to do than monitor local music venues, what a whiny little bitch.

I&#039;m so glad that our federal representative has nothing better to do than monitor local music venues, what a whiny little b**ch.

Bob Wells

[QUOTE="Matt J, post: 937639, member: 4760"]
I'm so glad that our federal representative has nothing better to do than monitor local music venues, what a whiny little b**ch.
[/QUOTE]
I am sure it was ma and pa or one of his supporters. ;)

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Matt J">I&#039;m so glad that our federal representative has nothing better to do than monitor local music venues, what a whiny little b**ch.</blockquote>I am sure it was ma and pa or one of his supporters. 😉

bob bob

It is good publicity for CAA and WalCo. I hope that they are calm about it and do the right thing.

[QUOTE="Bob Wells, post: 937640, member: 8392"]
I am sure it was ma and pa or one of his supporters. ;)
[/QUOTE]

He hangs out at Amavida cruising for high school girls, but you're probably right.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Bob Wells">I am sure it was ma and pa or one of his supporters. 😉</blockquote><br />
He hangs out at Amavida cruising for high school girls, but you&#039;re probably right.

[HEADING=2]Matt Gaetz Accuses Florida Music Fest of Requiring ‘Vaccine Passports’; Producers Say Congressman ‘Misrepresents Facts’[/HEADING]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://news.yahoo.com/matt-gaetz-accuses-florida-music-012441143.html[/URL]

<h3 class="bbHeading"><a class="u-anchorTarget" name="-matt-gaetz-accuses-florida-music-fest-of-requiring-%E2%80%98vaccine-passports%E2%80%99-producers-say-congressman-%E2%80%98misrepresents-facts%E2%80%99"></a>Matt Gaetz Accuses Florida Music Fest of Requiring ‘Vaccine Passports’; Producers Say Congressman ‘Misrepresents Facts’&#8203;<a class="hoverLink" href="#-matt-gaetz-accuses-florida-music-fest-of-requiring-%E2%80%98vaccine-passports%E2%80%99-producers-say-congressman-%E2%80%98misrepresents-facts%E2%80%99" title="Permanent link"></a></h3>
	

	<div class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--unfurl    js-unfurl fauxBlockLink"
		data-unfurl="true" data-result-id="1639" data-result-token="1792064313:e6ca1bc495b9e47b342dcaf710912545385e13ba2375f9593da2565cce12f103" data-url="https://news.yahoo.com/matt-gaetz-accuses-florida-music-012441143.html" data-host="news.yahoo.com" data-pending="false">
		<div class="contentRow">
			
				<div class="contentRow-figure contentRow-figure--fixedSmall js-unfurl-figure">
					
						<img src="https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/53f059423a98bbbaa6e5f8b3e355284a4ee611a1f6aed9cb908c69a14f19c184/lightyear_networkapi/resizefill_w1000_h562%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_jpg/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fvariety.com%2F16a6b10a192e23a75b2ffdc93e5d8812" loading="lazy" alt="news.yahoo.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-image" data-onerror="hide-parent"/>
					
				</div>
			
			<div class="contentRow-main">
				<h3 class="contentRow-header js-unfurl-title">
					<a href="https://news.yahoo.com/matt-gaetz-accuses-florida-music-012441143.html"
						class="link link--external fauxBlockLink-blockLink"
						target="_blank"
						rel="nofollow ugc noopener"
						data-proxy-href="">
						Matt Gaetz Accuses Florida Music Fest of Requiring ‘Vaccine Passports’; Producers Say Congressman ‘Misrepresents Facts’
					</a>
				</h3>

				<div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">Republican congressman Matt Gaetz wants to stop the music this weekend in Florida, when it comes to the 30A Songwriters Festival, an annual gathering that he contends is acting as a scofflaw when it c...</div>

				<div class="contentRow-minor contentRow-minor--hideLinks">
					<span class="js-unfurl-favicon">
						
							<img src="https://news.yahoo.com/matt-gaetz-accuses-florida-music-012441143.html/" loading="lazy" alt="news.yahoo.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-icon"
								data-onerror="hide-parent"/>
						
					</span>
					news.yahoo.com
				</div>
			</div>
		</div>
	</div>

Well maybe the festival won't comp his tickets in the future.  Seems strange that him asking for comped tickets isn't illegal.

Well maybe the festival won&#039;t comp his tickets in the future.  Seems strange that him asking for comped tickets isn&#039;t illegal.

Gaetz is just looking for anything to distract from the fact that he is an accused child sex predator.

“Regrettably, I write to inform you that within my congressional district there appears to be a blatant violation of Executive Order 21-81, “Prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccine Passports.” Your executive order allows entities to engage in COVID-19 screening, generally, but does not permit different treatment for the vaccinated and unvaccinated.“

On Tuesday afternoon, a representative from the 30a Songwriters Festival responded to the letter.

“The Festival has been co-produced by the non-profit Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County every January for 13 years,” said Russell Carter, Board Member for the Cultural Arts Alliance. “The Festival brings in over 200 nationally recognized touring artists to South Walton to perform in front of an estimated 6,000 paying customers who travel to Walton County from all over the country.”

Carter states that the Festival generates over $8 million in revenue to the resorts, hotels, bars, restaurants, rental home companies and other small businesses throughout the county, according to data from the Walton County TDC. 

    “This includes Festival Sponsors and Partners as well as every non-affiliated business in South Walton that benefits from the tremendous influx of music fans during this off-season extended weekend,” he said.

Carter says that Congressman Gaetz’s open letter to Gov. DeSantis misrepresented the COVID protocol adopted by the 30A Songwriters Festival for ticket-holders. 

[B]“Rep. Gaetz states incorrectly that there is a Vaccine Passport requirement,” said Carter. “This is simply untrue. The Governor’s office has previously reviewed the language we used for our COVID policy and stated publicly and unequivocally that it is acceptable.” [/B]

Here is the protocol for the festival posted on their website:

    “All Festival Patrons MUST present a negative COVID test (within the previous 72 hours), along with a valid government-issued photo ID, to receive a 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL wristband. (Note: Festival Patrons may choose to present proof of full vaccination in lieu of a negative test).“

Carter went on to reference this previous statement from Gov. DeSantis’ press secretary:

    “SB 2006 only prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from customers as a condition of entry or service,” said Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ press secretary. “If concert-goers can provide a negative COVID test instead of a vaccine passport, that is acceptable under the law. People who want to show proof of vaccination instead of a COVID test are free to do that. It just cannot be compelled.”

“Based on these stated guidelines from the Governor’s office, Live Nation and other big commercial promoters have produced concerts throughout the state with these legal protocols in effect and the support of the State of Florida,” continued Carter.  “Our local non-profit arts alliance deserves the same respect and support.”

As for the open letter, Carter says Congressman Gaetz could have called the Cultural Arts Alliance to clarify what their policy was. 

“Rep. Gaetz is no stranger to the 30A Songwriters Festival,” he said. “He represents our county and has attended the Festival at least twice in recent years.”

    “The event contributes to the livelihood of Rep. Gaetz’s own constituents, including local businesses who enjoy a boom in what used to be a very sleepy January,” continued Carter.

According to Carter, the festival brings in:

    5,600 room nights in Walton County hotels and rental accommodations.
    Employs over 200 staff and crew members.
    700 volunteers (who work for the festival in exchange for a weekend pass).
    Dozens of Walton County Sheriff’s Office off-duty officers.

“All of these people depend on the income, reward and personal enrichment the Festival provides,” ended Carter. “The 2022 30A Songwriters Festival begins at 4:00pm on Friday. We hope you will all join us for a weekend of amazing music.”

“Regrettably, I write to inform you that within my congressional district there appears to be a blatant violation of Executive Order 21-81, “Prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccine Passports.” Your executive order allows entities to engage in COVID-19 screening, generally, but does not permit different treatment for the vaccinated and unvaccinated.“<br />
<br />
On Tuesday afternoon, a representative from the 30a Songwriters Festival responded to the letter.<br />
<br />
“The Festival has been co-produced by the non-profit Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County every January for 13 years,” said Russell Carter, Board Member for the Cultural Arts Alliance. “The Festival brings in over 200 nationally recognized touring artists to South Walton to perform in front of an estimated 6,000 paying customers who travel to Walton County from all over the country.”<br />
<br />
Carter states that the Festival generates over $8 million in revenue to the resorts, hotels, bars, restaurants, rental home companies and other small businesses throughout the county, according to data from the Walton County TDC. <br />
<br />
    “This includes Festival Sponsors and Partners as well as every non-affiliated business in South Walton that benefits from the tremendous influx of music fans during this off-season extended weekend,” he said.<br />
<br />
Carter says that Congressman Gaetz’s open letter to Gov. DeSantis misrepresented the COVID protocol adopted by the 30A Songwriters Festival for ticket-holders. <br />
<br />
<b>“Rep. Gaetz states incorrectly that there is a Vaccine Passport requirement,” said Carter. “This is simply untrue. The Governor’s office has previously reviewed the language we used for our COVID policy and stated publicly and unequivocally that it is acceptable.” </b><br />
<br />
Here is the protocol for the festival posted on their website:<br />
<br />
    “All Festival Patrons MUST present a negative COVID test (within the previous 72 hours), along with a valid government-issued photo ID, to receive a 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL wristband. (Note: Festival Patrons may choose to present proof of full vaccination in lieu of a negative test).“<br />
<br />
Carter went on to reference this previous statement from Gov. DeSantis’ press secretary:<br />
<br />
    “SB 2006 only prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from customers as a condition of entry or service,” said Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ press secretary. “If concert-goers can provide a negative COVID test instead of a vaccine passport, that is acceptable under the law. People who want to show proof of vaccination instead of a COVID test are free to do that. It just cannot be compelled.”<br />
<br />
“Based on these stated guidelines from the Governor’s office, Live Nation and other big commercial promoters have produced concerts throughout the state with these legal protocols in effect and the support of the State of Florida,” continued Carter.  “Our local non-profit arts alliance deserves the same respect and support.”<br />
<br />
As for the open letter, Carter says Congressman Gaetz could have called the Cultural Arts Alliance to clarify what their policy was. <br />
<br />
“Rep. Gaetz is no stranger to the 30A Songwriters Festival,” he said. “He represents our county and has attended the Festival at least twice in recent years.”<br />
<br />
    “The event contributes to the livelihood of Rep. Gaetz’s own constituents, including local businesses who enjoy a boom in what used to be a very sleepy January,” continued Carter.<br />
<br />
According to Carter, the festival brings in:<br />
<br />
    5,600 room nights in Walton County hotels and rental accommodations.<br />
    Employs over 200 staff and crew members.<br />
    700 volunteers (who work for the festival in exchange for a weekend pass).<br />
    Dozens of Walton County Sheriff’s Office off-duty officers.<br />
<br />
“All of these people depend on the income, reward and personal enrichment the Festival provides,” ended Carter. “The 2022 30A Songwriters Festival begins at 4:00pm on Friday. We hope you will all join us for a weekend of amazing music.”

jhanes

When the left hand is waving around, look at what the right hand is doing!  This may just be  a Gaetz distraction to divert your attention from his ex girlfriend testifying in a federal court hearing in his investigation!

It’s just Gaetz being the ashole attention whore that he is.

[QUOTE="jhanes, post: 937725, member: 12036"]
When the left hand is waving around, look at what the right hand is doing!  This may just be  a Gaetz distraction to divert your attention from his ex girlfriend testifying in a federal court hearing in his investigation!
[/QUOTE]

Actual ex or the family house keeper he said was a girlfriend?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="jhanes">When the left hand is waving around, look at what the right hand is doing!  This may just be  a Gaetz distraction to divert your attention from his ex girlfriend testifying in a federal court hearing in his investigation!</blockquote><br />
Actual ex or the family house keeper he said was a girlfriend?

So apparently the rash of "can't make it" sales of tickets are due to the vaccination or testing requirement.

So apparently the rash of &quot;can&#039;t make it&quot; sales of tickets are due to the vaccination or testing requirement.

Gaetz Jabs 30A Songwriters Festival

Grayton BeachCam

Dune Allen BeachCam

Seagrove Beach SkyCam

Inlet BeachCam

Miramar BeachCam Majestic Sun

Santa Rosa BeachCam

Blast on the Bay

Walton County Fair

Harvest Wine & Food Festival: Celebrity Winemakers Dinners

Grayton Locals Market

Grayton Beach Wine Walk

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton

No beachcams yet

More cams

Include enough context for a reply on the first pass: who you are, what this is about, and anything time-sensitive we should know.

Write a clear note and we will route it fast

SoWal Contact Form

What helps the SoWal team reply on the first pass

Use these links when your request already has a clear destination.

Prefer a direct route before you write?

Use this when you are not sure where your request belongs and need the SoWal team to route it.

Questions, corrections, and quick help

Share newsworthy updates, corrections, community tips, or photography that can improve SoWal coverage.

Story tips, local leads, and photos

Reach the team for business visibility, partnership planning, or other commercial opportunities.

Listings, sponsorships, and business requests

Use this path for media coordination, press follow-ups, or requests that need a communications contact.

Press outreach and interview requests

Tell us what you need and how to reach you.

Send your note here and the SoWal team will route it appropriately.

Choose the quickest route for your message

Forum account areas

Log in to view member profile, alerts, messages, watched content, bookmarks, preferences, and staff tools.

Member-only forum areas use your SoWal forum account.

Use your forum username or email to post, reply, follow threads, and manage your account.

Log in to the forum

Log in to the SoWal forum

Find people and visit their public forum profiles.

Members

Enter the six-digit code sent to {email}.

Check your email

Join the conversation

Welcome to SoWal

Sign in to SoWal

Signature preview

Ads support our local stories, BeachCams, and community guides. If you use an ad blocker, allow SoWal, then check again.

Help keep SoWal local

Your feedback helps us make SoWal better.

How was this story?

Get local stories, events, and South Walton highlights in your inbox.

Stay close to the coast

Choose whether SoWal may use optional cookies. Necessary cookies keep the site working.

Your privacy, your choice

Site navigation

Submenu

Bite-sized stories, curated itineraries, and community events delivered to your inbox on the regular.

Gaetz Jabs 30A Songwriters Festival

Latest conversations

Write a reply

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026