It’s time to get “The Den” at Sanders Beach swingin’ again…and “WOW” do we have the perfect event to kick it off!
The history of Sanders Beach comes alive again after being silent for several decades. Starting in the 1920’s, the community park at Sanders Beach played a large part of Pensacola’s community enjoyment. Folks from all over would come to Sanders Beach for all types of entertainment: outdoor movies, baseball, white sands, swimming in the bay, wrestling, dancing and more! In 1947, the city officially began running the park for the public after being leased to individuals to maintain and run for public and private events. Officially…”The Den” (the nickname given to the main building and its large hall) was born. That name, slowly being lost in obscurity, still resonates on the tongues of some of the original folks still living in Sanders Beach and Pensacola. And, it’s well over due to bring that name from the past into the future.
Even though the original building is gone (Hurricane Ivan in 2004), it’s replacement stands as a true test of the spirit of Sanders Beach. The Sanders Beach-Corrine Jones Resource Center is at the heart of where “The Den” once stood and will officially reclaim the name of its predecessor during this event and all to follow!
Speaking of dancing….the Sanders Beach community park has a long history (1920’s and on) of being the home for a LOT of Pensacola dancing events. And, a LOT of those events were benefit and charity dances for organizations, people and other Pensacola events. There is still one of those organizations around! The long-standing Frank R. Marston American Legion Post 33 held marathon dances in the late 1920’s at Sanders Beach to help raise money to construct a permanent building for the members of Post 33. Built in 1930, the building has withstood time, storms and neglect. But! In 2020, after being shuttered for over a year and in the midst of the pandemic, a new group of veterans came together and made it their mission to bring the Frank R. Marston American Legion Post 33 back to life and back into the lives of our veterans. So, it seems very fitting to make the first Community Dance (after a very long hiatus) at “The Den”, dedicated to helping restore the same building housing the same Post 33 who held benefit dances here almost 100 years ago!
This community event is FREE and all are welcome. Donations are gladly accepted by the American Legion Post 33 for their historic building restoration. The direct link for donations is here. There will be Post 33 members and representatives at the event who will be taking donations and answering questions as well. Their official website address is here. They will also be selling food, non-alcoholic beverages and merchandise with proceeds going to the restoration.
Pensacola…..LET’S SWING!