Tybee Island Sets Conditions for Controversial Orange Crush Festival’s Return
Tybee Island, Georgia, intends to welcome back the contentious Orange Crush music festival in April, contingent upon organizers adhering to specific stipulations.
"Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Orange Crush Festival! We’re delighted to declare that for the first time in decades, we’re fully permitted and prepared to celebrate from April 18-20." – Orange Crush Instagram post.
The event had previously taken place in the popular Georgia beach town without official city permits, leading to concerns over security and litter.
City Council’s Conditional Approval
On January 26, the Tybee Island City Council issued a conditional letter of approval to Orange Crush organizer Steven Smalls, stating that a special events permit would be granted once all conditions outlined in the letter had been met to the satisfaction of local government officials.
Required Conditions
Conditions include:
- Specific event timing and placement to coordinate municipal services
- Preservation of public property
- Prevention of dangerous and unlawful behavior
- Safety measures for attendees
- Traffic control planning
Deviation from city requirements regarding the event’s scope, intensity, location, type, or size will result in permit revocation.
Festival’s Optimism
Despite the conditions, the Orange Crush Festival remains enthusiastic.
"Orange Crush Festival 2025 is bringing nothing but HEAT this year," according to a festival Facebook announcement. "This year’s event will be the BIGGEST Orange Crush Festival yet!"
Past Problems and Concerns
Last year’s festival took place on Tybee without an official permit. Social media footage captured violent brawls, women engaged in altercations, and piles of trash accumulating on the beach.
During the early 1990s, Orange Crush gained notoriety for being a weekend of rampant criminal activity, leading Savannah State University to disassociate with the event in 1991 due to numerous arrests and violence reports.
In 2021, the event relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, citing "lack of resources, limited parking, civil rights violations, and political injustices." The festival’s website has since been taken down.
Tybee Island’s Return
Orange Crush returned to Tybee Island in 2023 for the first time since 2020.
Participatory Reporting
Fox News Digital’s Chris Eberhart and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
