CLEARWATER, Fla. — BayCare Sound recently celebrated its one-year anniversary at Clearwater’s new Coachman Park.
Since the park opened, more than 150,000 fans have attended about 50 events, Ruth Eckerd Hall said.
What you need to know Baycare Sound celebrates one-year anniversary at new Coachman Park in Clearwater
Owners say they’re excited to see what year two will bring.
The venue is due to install new sound and lighting equipment soon.
Vice President of Entertainment Bobby Rossi reflected on the first year’s honors.
“We’ve been rated by Pollstar magazine as the fourth highest grossing boutique amphitheater in the country, behind only Red Rocks, which is the holy grail of amphitheaters. To be ranked fourth among such companies here in Clearwater in our first year of operation is truly amazing,” Rossi said. “We’re hosting our 50th event and have drawn festival crowds featuring every genre of music, from jazz to R&B to rock to classic rock to alternative.”
Local businesses say they welcome the large number of visitors.
“We’re bringing in entertainers that bring 50,000 to 10,000 people here, so obviously it’s a lot more exposure,” Downtown Pizza owner Dale Robinson said.
Some owners say they will be able to better manage the crowds that gather downtown in the future.
“Nobody knows where the parking is,” Robinson said. “There are some parking lots, but there’s not enough parking spaces or guidance to get to them.”
Rossi reminds us that we have choices.
“We have over 2,000 parking spaces in parking lots and open street parking, as well as free parking behind the venue downtown,” Rossi said.
Owners say they’re excited to see what’s to come in year two.
“I think there’s a lot of opportunity for the city and county of Clearwater to utilize this great venue,” said Dan Shawblin, co-owner of Clear Sky on Cleveland.
Rossi says fans can expect a variety of performances along with new sound and lighting equipment.
“The video screens here are two of three main screens that we purchased and will be available at the artist’s discretion for each performance,” Rossi said.