Festival beats: Seventh annual Ormond Beach Live brings vibrant, eclectic vibe

The Songwriters Showcases of America presented the annual original music and art festival for over 100 musicians and 70-plus vendors.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 3:00 p.m. October 2, 2025
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Neighbors
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For the seventh year, the Ormond Beach Live original music and art festival descended on the Casements, Rockefeller Gardens and Fortunato Park. Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda were kind enough to keep the rain to a bare minimum as the grounds erupted with music, dancing and art on Saturday, Sept. 27. 

The event was presented by Songwriters Showcases of America, which was founded by Phil Weidner in the 1990s. Weidner created the nonprofit organization after becoming frustrated with the lack of support for musicians. The SSA was born out of a need for bands and songwriters to have the opportunity and space to perform.

Over 100 musicians played 14 stages amid vendors’ tents and the tantalizing smells of food from a variety of sweet and savory delectables. Festivalgoers could imbibe at sponsor S.R. Perrott’s Yuengling tent or grab a bite at the locally owned Wabi Sabi Hibachi on Wheels. 

Additional sponsors were the Daytona Auto Mall, Ormond Beach Observer, Southern RV, Sandman Law, Turkey Run and WHOG 95.7.

I wanted to do this because of my mom. She's the human juke box. She gave me everything."  — KOLBE CORDON, Sober Cafe lead singer

Over 70 booths were available to peruse including first timers Salty Drip IV Hydration. Owner Heather Vincent recently moved her business to Aliki Plaza where she started a collective which includes Honey Bee Beauty, LA Luxe Co. Lash & Hair, Chill n Glo and Celestial Embers. Owners Melissa Geyer, Lizzy Mons, Chelsea Doyle, Gloria Doyle and assistant William Mons were on-hand to assist at the event.

Return vendor, Palm Coast resident Courtney Catalino, owner of Wick’ed Salem’s Candle Company, said this was her second year at the event. She started her year-round Halloween business five years ago during COVID. 

“I love this event,” she said. “I’m in a really good spot this time...by the main stage.” 

Kids participated in their own activities at the festival including Natasha Azari’s Save the Art Movement mural wall where they could add their own artistic flair and a karaoke contest held by Mufasa in the drum circle tent. There was also a youth art contest, which was exhibited in the Casements.

This was Marilyn Welch’s second year entering the contest. She entered in the third through fifth grade category and, for the second year, she took first place. Last year she won with a painting of The Casements and this year she won for her depiction of the Ormond Garage which included a historic race car and a palm tree in front.

Welch said she learned the history about the garage when she was looking up historic cars.

“I wanted to do something old-fashioned,” she said. “Every single day I go to Dance Depot and we pass it (Ormond Garage) every single day.”

Ormond Beach-based band Sober Cafe just got together in April. This is their first year performing at the festival. Lead singer Kolbe Cordon credits his mom for getting him involved.

“I wanted to do this because of my mom,” he said. “She’s the human juke box. She gave me everything.” 

 

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