Orange Crush event organizers George Turner and Steven Smalls at the Tybee Pier on March 6, 2025 on Tybee Island, GA.(Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) By Adam Van Brimmer.

The Orange Crush beach bash brought tens of thousands of HBCU students to Georgia's coast, but its future is clouded by a dispute between the trademark owner and organizer.

The 2026 Orange Crush Festival permit application was denied by Tybee Island officials due to beach erosion concerns, staffing feasibility, and unapproved promotion of the event. Trademark holder ...

Shortly after the newly permitted Orange Crush Festival came and went with less fanfare and angst than in years past, Orange Crush trademark holder George Turner submitted the first permit ...

Historically, Orange Crush has been a source of both celebration and contention for the community. While the party brings energy and tourism to Tybee’s beach, it’s also been associated with ...

Historically, Orange Crush has been Tybee Island’s largest unpermitted event. The event started on the island in 1988 as a gathering for and sponsored by Savannah State University students.

Chris Wall, an inventor of the original orange crush and co-owner of Harborside Bar & Grill, said the crush belongs to Maryland. (Candy Woodall/staff) By Baltimore Sun Editorial Board.