ORANGE BEACH — The Aug. 12 Orange Beach mayoral debate, hosted by 1819 News, has sold out three times already before being expanded to the current capacity of 1,100 attendees.

Erica Thomas with the outlet said she and the news team were surprised when the initial 500 tickets sold out within hours of the website going live. The event was expanded to 750 tickets, which sold out, and then 1,000 tickets, which sold out. The capacity now sits at 1,100 tickets.

"Before it's over, I wouldn't be surprised if it got up to 1,500," Thomas said. "… I was surprised by the reaction to this event. It speaks to the character of the people in Orange Beach and how much they care about their city."

However, the guests will not just be from Orange Beach, a city of around 8,700 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Thomas said Baldwin County residents from as far as Bay Minette have reserved a spot to attend the debate.

The Orange Beach Event Center facility pricing chart for the entire space states there is a maximum of 2,000 people allowed for theater seating, which will be used at this event.

The free tickets for the event are, as of press time, still available with limited numbers. VIP package sponsorships have sold out, and expansions are not set to be added at this time.

Thomas said the debate questions will focus on infrastructure, growth, transportation, land annexations and the "real issues that impact the people." She said there will be no questions that "would get them heated."

"There are two good candidates to choose from," she said. "They are wonderful people who are very passionate about Orange Beach."

The types of questions to be asked, Thomas said, will show residents the differences in mayoral candidates, current Mayor Tony Kennon and Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Boyd, as the two have served alongside each other for multiple terms and often vote in alignment.

Kennon was first elected mayor in 2008, and Boyd was elected to council in 2012. Kennon previously told GCM the two have been friends for 20 years.

A reception with a meet and greet will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the debate is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Thomas said a recording will be released "very quickly" after the event. It will not be livestreamed.

The municipal election will be held on Aug. 26. The last day to register to vote is Aug. 11.

Gulf Coast Media will publish a voters' guide in The Baldwin Times on Aug. 15. It will include details about polling places, what you need to bring to the polls and what to know before heading there, as well as Q&As with candidates in contested races across Baldwin County. Every candidate is being offered a Q&A with those in the same municipality being given the exact same questions. Read more 2025 municipal election articles at www.gulfcoastmedia.com/election/.

The Gulf Coast Media Voters Guide to the 2025 Baldwin County Municipal Elections will be mailed to every subscriber and inserted into racks, as well as being published as an e-edition online and sent to The Wave readers, GCM's bi-weekly email newsletter, reaching in total tens of thousands of people. New subscribers can get 50% off through Aug. 31 with code VOTE at www.gulfcoastmedia.com/subscribe.