ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — A three-day country music festival planned for St. Pete Beach is drawing pushback from residents who say the timing puts endangered wildlife at risk.
On Saturday, protesters gathered outside the Tradewinds Resort, urging city leaders to deny permits for the upcoming Country Thunder music festival, scheduled to begin May 8. Organizers expect thousands of people to attend the beachside event over three days.
Residents say the festival coincides with sea turtle nesting season and could threaten both turtles and shorebirds that rely on dark, quiet beaches to survive…