GULF SHORES, Ala., — There was an ocean on the beach Sunday afternoon. Waves of beach lovers and music fans began making there way onto the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores early in the day in anticipation for the biggest concert event ever to happen in Gulf Shores.

In typical style — no shoes, wrist bands, bright colored T-shirt, and a big happy surfer’s smile — one of the Gulf Coast’s favorite sons, Jimmy Buffett, entertained the tens of thousands on the beach, not to mention the millions tuned in on CMT, during his free “Concert for the Coast.”

After postponing the concert, which was originally slated for July 1, due to weather issues related to Hurricane Alex, Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band had the crowd of all ages dancing all over the beach.

Rumors abounded as to who would replace Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney who scheduled to play on July 1.

Brad Paisley? Kid Rock? Brooks and Dunn? Alan Jackson?

As it turned out, it was just Buffett, although there were several tunes that featured New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, Mississippi native Jesse Winchester and Will Kimbrough, who is from Mobile.

True parrotheads enjoyed the Buffett classics like “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano,” “Come Monday,” and “Fins.” But Buffett threw in a few surprises as well like “Brown Eyed Girl,” a Van Morrison hit, and the Crosby, Stills and Nash hit “Southern Cross.”

After hours of busing fans from temporary parking lots all across the area and back, city officials could not have been happier with the way the day turned out.

“It was a proud day and an opportunity for us to demonstrate that we are not going to just stand there with our hand out,” said Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft at Monday’s city council meeting. “We are going to do everything we can to save ourselves.

"It was a proud moment. It is our job as city administrators to make sure that we have the right people in place that are capable of doing these kinds of things. We have trust and confidence in our staff and that allows us to try things that, maybe on the surface, seem difficult, and risky. But with this staff and the absolute confidence that we can overcome, gives us the power to take that risk.”

Craft said he hopes that more concerts will happen in the coming days to help economically salvage what has been a very difficult summer all across the Gulf Coast.

“We have environmental issues and they are a lot more difficult to deal with, but we can do things like this to help our city economically.”

Mark Acreman, director of Public Works for Gulf Shores said he was truly proud to be working for Gulf Shores during this time.

“I have never been more proud to work for the City of Gulf Shores, or more fulfilled in the job that I have after this past weekend,” Acreman said, addressing the city council. “Your vision, believing in us, believing in what we can do, and believing in the group we assembled to work together, and that includes the private sector and public sector all working together for the same cause. It is an honor and a privilege to work for this city.”

Although an estimated crowd size has not yet been established, it appeared that all 35,000 people who had a ticke, were present for the show.

“We were some of the lucky ones who were able to get through,” said Jimmy Harris of Hattiesburg, Miss. “We have been planning to come since the day this was announced and even after the postponement, we didn’t let it bother us. We just changed our plans.

"We’ve been coming down here for vacation for years, and we just felt like this was the best way we could help the folks down here right now.”

Mayor Craft reported that there were no problems with the crowds and most of those seeking medical attention had dehydration problems.