Statement from George Turner, Founder and Trademark Owner of Orange Crush Festival™

“Preserving a Legacy, Building a Future”

For more than three decades, Orange Crush Festival™ has represented community, creativity, and culture — a gathering that began as a student-led celebration of freedom and unity. Since its earliest days, this event has reflected the best of HBCU pride, beach culture, and Southern hospitality. My mission has always been to preserve that history while building a safer, more sustainable future for everyone involved.

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A Longstanding Partnership with Tybee Island

My collaboration with the City of Tybee Island extends back to 2016, when I first began working with city departments, law enforcement, and local business owners to find common ground and safe, organized ways to host cultural events on the island.

In 2025, I worked directly with Tybee Island officials to help secure the first formally structured and permitted Orange Crush Festival™ event — one that brought order, transparency, and professionalism to a celebration that had long been misunderstood. Building on that success, I continued working with the city throughout the 2026 planning cycle, developing community outreach plans, sponsorship frameworks, and operational compliance standards aligned with Tybee’s ordinances and public safety expectations.

This multi-year collaboration reflects my consistent commitment to building partnerships — not conflicts — with the City of Tybee Island and ensuring this cultural tradition remains beneficial to residents, visitors, and local businesses alike.

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Legal & Trademark Integrity

As the federally registered trademark owner of Orange Crush Festival™ under the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), I am the sole legal authority empowered to license, manage, and protect the brand. This ownership extends across multiple trademark classes, covering entertainment, live events, merchandising, education, media, and digital platforms.

To prevent consumer confusion and brand exploitation, my legal team has issued formal cease-and-desist notices to unauthorized parties misusing the Orange Crush name, including Dubbshakaz Entertainment and its affiliates.

In 2022, a limited, temporary use agreement was granted under specific conditions that have since expired. The agreement established an annual brand lease valuation of $50,000 per year — a standard commercial rate for the lawful use of the Orange Crush Festival™ mark. No renewal was granted, and all subsequent use constitutes unauthorized infringement and brand misrepresentation, subject to legal damages and penalties under federal trademark law.

These actions are not about rivalry; they are about protecting the public, maintaining honesty with city partners, and upholding the legal standards required for national sponsorships and federal nonprofit compliance.

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Political & Community Partnership Vision

The next chapter of Orange Crush Festival™ will focus on transparency, safety, and shared prosperity for all who participate. As a 100% Disabled Veteran-Owned Business and federally incorporated nonprofit, our objectives include:

• Strengthening multi-year partnerships with Tybee Island’s government, Chamber of Commerce, and public safety agencies.

• Supporting local economic development through vendor inclusion, sponsorships, and student internships.

• Funding college and veteran education initiatives through the Orange Crush University program.

• Expanding environmental and sustainability efforts such as beach clean-up, recycling, and green vendor operations.

• Providing music, arts, and tech opportunities for Georgia-based students and entrepreneurs through our statewide educational initiatives.

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Ethical & Cultural Responsibility

Orange Crush Festival™ has always been more than an event — it is a legacy of empowerment. Our commitment to ethical leadership ensures that this historic brand remains inclusive, transparent, and community-centered.

While others may attempt to rebrand or imitate, the original Orange Crush Festival™ will continue to stand for education, culture, and lawful community advancement. We welcome collaboration — but it must be rooted in honesty, accountability, and respect for the trademarked legacy that built this tradition.

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Call to Action: A Partnership for Progress

To the City of Tybee Island, local sponsors, and community stakeholders:

I invite you to partner with the official Orange Crush Festival™ organization as we move toward 2026 and beyond. Together, we can transform this annual celebration into a national model for responsible tourism, cultural respect, and economic inclusion that uplifts both the community and the coastline it calls home.

With respect and gratitude,

George Ransom Turner III

Founder & Trademark Owner

Orange Crush Festival™

Federally Registered Trademark • 100% Disabled Veteran-Owned Nonprofit