The Daytona Beach Bandshell
History
Taken from :: http://www.bandshell.org/history.php
As early as 1921, a group of local residents began discussing ideas for improving what had become a run down section of Daytona Beach’s oceanfront. The Bandshell is the result . It was built as a community-use project by the Federal Government Works Progress Administration (WPA) designed to stimulate the economy during the depression. It cost the city $84,000 and the Federal Government $184,000. Construction of the 48′ x114′ natural coquina rock structure began in September 1936 and continued through 1938. However, by July 1937 enough had been completed so that, with great fanfare, a dedication ceremony could take place. The sound system, which had arrived in early June and was installed by engineers from RCA, proved state-of-the-art for that time. Sound was evenly distributed throughout the venue to the delight of the audience. In addition, five microphones rested on the bandshell platform, which were for future used of live radio broadcasts.
The Bandshell, with seating of 4,000, opened with a bang on July 4, 1937 sharing front page with headlines of Amelia Earhart’ s disappearance and a picture of the Dionne quintuplets. A record crowd of 25,000 was on hand in the city for motorcycle races on the beach, a baseball game in the ballpark, a parade on Beach Street, and the Bandshell Concert. The festivities continued onJuly 5th with another parade, and Bandshell activities including the Municipal Band, bathing beauty contest, vaudeville and boardwalk carnival dance. “Miss Daytona Beach of 1937” was crowned on stage at the Bandshell at 11:00 PM. For decades, it stood at the center of Downtown Daytona Beach. Once the City Band and Beauty Pageant ended, the Bandshell fell into disuse and disrepair.
The Daytona Beach Beachshell is a on the ocean and a perfect spot for watching free concerts and fireworks that are launched from the pier on Saturday evenings in the summer.
The AMA 200 monument can be seen here to the south and the restaurnat on Main StreetPier can be seen in the distance. The Band Shell is the center piece of the Board Walk in Daytona and it is frequently used for events such as the National Collegiate Cheerleading Competition, craft shows and free concerts.
Here is a close up of one of the ornate coquina walls at Mai Tais at Ocean Walk Center. What is Coquina you ask….??
Coquina (“co-KEEN-a”) is a sedimentary rock composed chiefly of shell fragments. Because shells are made of calcium carbonate, coquina is formally a limestone. It’s not common, but when you see it you want to have the name handy. Coquina is the Spanish word for cockleshells or shellfish. Coquina forms near shore, where wave action is vigorous and sorts the sediments well. Notice that the pieces are all broken and rounded by the abrasion of the waves.
We are in our condo at Ocean Walk – looking at the bandshell and Boardwalk
Beyond you can see the AMA monument and an edge of the Hilton.
To find upcoming events we recommend this site::
http://www.daytonabandshell.com/upcoming.html
Do you know of any concerts that will be hosted here during October 4-9. I would greatly appreciate this information. Thank You.
Would you have a Photo and article on Miss Daytona Beach of 1938. She is my sister-in-law and my husband and I would like a copy of the photo and article. Please send any reply or the article to my email address. Thank you so much
Alice Grant
My sister-in-law Virginia won the Miss Daytona Beach Title of 1938 and we would like to have the article with the picture emailed to me. I have requested this before and received no answer. Will pay if necessary, for your help.