On Monday, a ground breaking ceremony was held in Gautier, Mississippi for a new amphitheater that will become operational in 2024. The Sound Amphitheater will be located a short drive from Mobile and other parts of the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The $6 million dollar amphitheater holds more than 6,500 people and will host America’s top touring acts. The location will also focus on providing a great backstage environment through well-appointed dressing rooms, green rooms, promotion and tour offices, catering kitchen, and various other features. There will also be VIP seating, corporate box options, lawn seating, and a food truck area.
Gautier City Manager, Paula Yancey, discussed the name of the new venue.
“We were looking for one word that represents both our area and our purpose in this amphitheater,” said Yancey. “As you know, we are located on the Mississippi Sound, and now you will hear the sounds of major performers coming from this beautiful amphitheater, named The Sound.”
Yancy also spoke about the positive effect the new project will have on Gautier.
“We have worked with city leadership and entertainment specialists to make the design flawless,” the city manager stated. “We are so excited that we are finally breaking ground on Gautier’s new amphitheater. This enormous project will be great for our community, and Gautier will truly be the newest place for people to gather and enjoy performances.”
The City of Gautier became partners with 46 entertainment. The company focuses on all aspects of performance venues and live events.
Casey Vaughan, Mayor of Gautier, believes the positive economic impact will be felt not only in Gautier but throughout the area.
“When planning, we focused on the amphitheater itself and the on-site revenue, but that just scratches the surface of the actual impact,” said Vaughan. “The entire region will be significantly impacted as it relates to hotels, restaurants, bars and gas stations.”
Direct spending from the venue will be a positive economic stimulus for the area, but the greater revenue will come from spending that takes place outside of the amphitheater.
Seymour Engineering and Allred Stolarski Architects are leading the vision and design aspects of the new Amphitheater.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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