Pensacola Beach is celebrating one of its most famous frozen drinks with a full weekend of live music, souvenir cups, a popular road race and plenty of Bushwacker fun.

Bushwacker Fest returns to the Sandshaker from Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2. The weekend also includes the Bushwacker 5K on Saturday morning, followed by a beach party at Bamboo Willie’s.

Bushwacker Fest Returns to the Sandshaker

The Sandshaker, known as the home of the original Bushwacker, is celebrating the drink all weekend with live music and special Bushwacker festivities. The bar regularly features live music with no cover and is open daily on Pensacola Beach.

Limited edition Bushwacker cups will also return and will be available while supplies last.

The festival flyer says the weekend will help raise money for cystic fibrosis awareness.

Bushwacker Fest Music Schedule

Friday, July 31

Brandon Sandefur

Count the Years

Saturday, August 1

Paul Killough

Beach DOGZ

BUZZCUTT

Sunday, August 2

Paul Killough

Vinyl Revival

Sandshaker plans to share additional updates and performance details throughout the weekend.

Run the Bushwacker 5K Saturday Morning

The Bushwacker 5K begins at 7:30 AM sharp on Saturday, August 1.

The point to point course begins on Gulf Breeze Parkway and finishes in the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk parking lot in front of Bamboo Willie’s. Both runners and walkers can participate, with registration currently listed at $50.

Organizers are also celebrating 40 years since the first Bushwacker 5K.

Over the years, the race has helped raise more than $100,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters and more than $200,000 for other charitable organizations.

Register for the Bushwacker 5K

Where the Race Starts

The starting line is located on Gulf Breeze Parkway.

Participants parking at Live Oak Village Shopping Center should plan for approximately a nine tenths of a mile warmup walk or run along the bike path to reach the official starting area.

Live Oak Village Shopping Center is located at 1143 Gulf Breeze Parkway.

Free Race Transportation

Free buses will transport participants from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk flagpole to the starting line between 6 and 7 AM.

The final bus leaves at 7 AM. Anyone arriving after that should drive directly to Live Oak Village Shopping Center.

Return transportation from the Boardwalk to Live Oak Village will operate between 8:30 and 10 AM.

Packet Pickup Information

Friday packet pickup will be available from 3 to 6 PM at Running Wild Pensacola, located at 3012 East Cervantes Street.

Race day packet pickup will be held from 5:45 to 6:45 AM at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk near the finish line.

Celebrate at Bamboo Willie’s After the Race

The race finishes directly in front of Bamboo Willie’s, where participants can walk straight into the post race party.

The celebration includes free popsicles, cold towels, live music and a Bushwacker served in a souvenir cup. Participants can also cool off with a quick dip in Santa Rosa Sound.

Make a Weekend Out of It

Start Saturday morning with the Bushwacker 5K, stay for the party at Bamboo Willie’s and then head to the Sandshaker for the second day of Bushwacker Fest.

With three days of live music and one of Pensacola Beach’s most established running traditions, this weekend offers plenty of opportunities to celebrate the Bushwacker.

If this guide helped you plan your trip, you can support Must Do Pensacola by grabbing a sticker.

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Bushwacker Fest and the Bushwacker 5K Take Over Pensacola Beach This Weekend