‘Bama preparing for Mullet Toss Week

‘Bama preparing for Mullet Toss Week

Flora-Bama’s annual Mullet Toss weekend – officially The Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party – is more about tradition than the zany idea that spurred the annual event 33 years ago.
Scheduled the last full weekend in April every year, the main event consists of folks throwing a mullet, the only fish possessing a gizzard, out of a 10-foot circle from Florida towards Alabama. But for others, it is just as much about yearly reunions, family gatherings and fraternity bonding.
“We have less problems with crowds at the Mullet Toss than during the major holiday weekends,’’ Flora-Bama co-owner Pat McClellan said about the April 28-30 event on the Al-Fl. State Line. “It’s a tradition for a lot of people, and they respect that tradition and respect each other.’’
The cover charge, Gulfside only, begins Friday through Sunday at 9 a.m. each day. Cover is $10 for those 21 and over, and $15 for 13-20 year olds. Entry is limited to 21 and up only after 6 p.m. Membership Cards, available on line or at the door, are also accepted during the event.
Parking is $10 per car, and lots will be manned by local charities and youth sport groups.
Shuttles at $5 per head will be running non-stop starting at 7 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. Pick up spots are the Publix parking lot in Orange Beach and the Winn-Dixie lot in Perdido Key.
McClellan said many Mullet Toss patrons make condo and hotel reservations for 2017 while in town this year. “They could come here on July 4th or Memorial Day or Labor Day. But they decide that something we created was going to be their weekend to have a party, and they come back every year,’’ he said.
Cost to toss a mullet is $15, which includes a souvenir t-shirt. A portion of Mullet Toss proceeds benefit the Community Drug & Alcohol Council, Inc., local Boys & Girls Clubs, and youth groups on both sides of the State Line.
The Miss Mullet Toss bikini contests will be held on Friday & Saturday, with top finishers eligible for the $5,000 Miss Flora-Bama 2016 finals on Labor Day! Other events include bubble soccer, a corn hole bean bag series, and a special Mr. Mullet Toss Hot Body contest.
The Flora-Bama is, of course, located on the Gulf of Mexico at the Fla/ Ala state line. For info, call (850) 492-3048 or (251) 980-5118, or visit florabama.com