FOLEY, Ala. — According to Gulf Coast Gospel Jubilee organizers, the inaugural event drew approximately 500 attendees to the Foley Soccer Complex Saturday.

“I thought everything went really, really well,” said the Rev. Joe Aldrete, Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Foley senior pastor.

The daylong event featured praise teams and choirs from churches throughout Baldwin County, as well as Elvis aka Shane Tucker and several artists from the University of Mobile. Plus, churches and vendors manned a variety of booths to raise funds for C.A.R.E. House of Baldwin County and the Lighthouse. Plus, Baldwin Emergency Management Agency and Gulf Coast Farmers and Fisherman’s Market were among vendors providing wares and information.

Aldrete said 500 was a good number for the event’s first time.

“When the Shrimp Festival started, they had 200 people,” he said.

Aldrete added that plans are already in the works for next year’s Jubilee.

“The event is now established,” he said. “The city of Foley put it on their Centennial Calendar.”

Plus, the senior pastor is organizing plans for the second annual event.