Every day you’ll see the dust
(Too much, the magic bus)
As I drive my baby in my magic bus…
- Pete Townshend, “Magic Bus”

“I think this takes people back to their childhood,” says Beach Event & Party Bus entrepreneur Frank Sandro. “They haven’t been on a school bus in ages.”

But the Blue Bus—the first of what Sandro hopes will be a fleet of party vehicles—barely resembles those sweaty, crowded educational transports of youth. True, this bus was originally purchased from the Walton County School District, but the interior has been completely gutted and replaced with long, comfortable seats and seat belts. It is painted in vibrant colors, what Sandro calls “electric blue” and “key lime green.” There are strings of blue lights that come on at sunset, a flashing police light, and stripper poles (or, as a friend of Sandro’s calls them, “entertainment stanchions”). A top-of-the-line sound system booms out tunes, sometimes from the company’s collection, other times provided by clients.

Sandro started the company with Ron Romano and Andy Wiggins, two high school friends from Colorado. A former sales director with Watercolor, Sandro saw the need for a party bus to cater to beachgoers from Panama City Beach to Fort Walton.

“I took a cab from AJ’s to 30A, and it was 50 bucks,” says Sandro, who was able to start up the party bus company for $40,000. The Blue Bus hit the road in February with a series of parties for friends and family members. Spring break offered a steady flow of college kids, and Sandro says he has “a big contract with a sports team” going into summer.

“If you google ‘party bus,’ you’ll be amazed at what you find,” he says. “The ‘Fur Bus’ in Atlanta was kind of our inspiration, and there’s a company in Charlotte that takes you on the party bus to a party boat.

“There’s so many great things to do and great places to stay, but public transportation is nonexistent for the most part.” Sandro says the rates for the Blue Bus are about the same as a stretch limousine, but his bus can seat 30 people. “And when you’re on the beach, who wants to get in a stretch limo?”

Beach Event & Party Bus offers everything from kids’ parties to bachelorette shindigs—tonight, 15 girls will get on board in Sandestin and work their way down the beach. Sandro says the Blue Bus is ideal for prom, wedding, and corporate events, too.

“We just booked a group of 25 ladies to go to Ebro Greyhound Park on a Saturday,” he says. “We can put packages together, too. We did a Big Kahuna’s party and took care of logistics and tickets. We did a fun Hannah Montana birthday party with little girls dressed as rock stars—we had pizza and sodas on the bus, and saw the 3-D concert movie at the Rave theater.”

Older partiers can indulge in other refreshments, but Sandro says drinking responsibly is a must. Out of around 30 trips, there have been no problems with unruly riders. “Everyone has been very respectful of what we have going on,” he says.

“Feedback has been tremendous so far. People are saying it’s nice not to worry about drinking and driving. We prefer to drop everyone off at their door, to get them home happy and safe.”

Rising gas prices have affected the party bus a little, says Sandro. “Diesel shot up to $4.09 the other day, but that’s part of doing business for us. More reason to get out and carpool. Or ‘buspool’.”

(Photos by Christopher Manson)

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