National Shrimp Fest: 10 a.m. ‘til 10 p.m. • Oct. 10-13 at Gulf Shores Public Beach
If fest is open, music will be playing
Organizers have scheduled more than 100 hours of entertainment on two stages for this year’s fest at Gulf Shores Public Beach. As always, the acts range from blues, motown and southern rock to jazz, americana and country. The music begins as soon as the fest opens at 10 a.m. each day and runs through 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Park & Ride Shuttle Service
The City of Gulf Shores has stepped up to avert what could have been a major issue and there will be Park and Ride Shuttle Service available. Wristbands for the shuttle will be available for $5 per day. Children 6 and under may ride for free. Service is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will resume from 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday. Hours on Friday and Saturday are from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Hours on Sunday are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds go to the Gulf Shores City Schools’ Dolphin Athletic Club and Band Booster Club. Locations for the Park and Ride Shuttle Service are as follows:
• North – Pelican Place at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores; • The Wharf in Orange Beach; • Erie H. Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores; drop-off at West 2nd St. and Beach Blvd.
• West – Waves Grocery in Gulf Shores; drop-off at West 2nd St. and Beach Blvd..
• East – Rouses Grocery in Orange Beach; • Gulf State Park Swimming Pavilion in Gulf Shores (Parking there is an additional $10); Drop-off at East Gulf Place Public Beach Access.
Sand sculpture contest has four divisions
The festival’s sand sculpture contest will be held on Saturday, October 12 at the west end of the beach at the public beach access. Registration and building begins at 11 a.m. and judging at 3 p.m. Maximum 4 members per team. All participants will receive a sand bucket and shovel. Info: Myshrimpfest.com.
Age Categories: 5-10 years, 11-15 years, 16 years & up, Family (all ages)*
*If you wish to help your child/children please enter the “Family” category.
Prizes include trophies, ribbons and posters. In addition, there is a $100 cash prize awarded for both the Family & Adult categories adn a $50 cash prize for both the 5-10 yrs old and 11-15 yrs old categories.
Fest 10K & 5K Runs at O.B. Sportsplex
The Shrimp Festival 5K Run & Walk and 10K Run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 with the 10K starting at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K at 7:50 a.m. at The Orange Beach Sportsplex. Race day registration is $40 for adults and $20 for students. Awards will be presented in all the usual divisions. All net proceeds of the Run will be donated to support education programs that benefit local schools. Info: Myshrimpfest.com.
Plenty of hands-on-hoopla for little ones
The fest is a family affair, and that means there’s plenty of excitement and entertainment for the little ones. Youngsters will find all kinds of hands-on hoopla in this special area designed just for kids. Supervised activities include arts, crafts, games, entertainment and music.
Baldwin students will sing for scholarships
The Shrimp Festival Singing for Scholarships event was created in 2013 to support local schools and our talented youth. The singing competition will feature students who are each chosen to represent their high school. Each high school conducts its own contest and the best will perform onstage on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Scholarships are awarded to the top three participants as well as to each high school.
The awards are: 1st Place – $1,000 for student and represented school; 2nd Place – $500 for student and represented school; 3rd Place – $250 for student and represented school.
From gator bites to crawfish pistols
Shrimp is the star of this show, so it’s no surprise to find dozens of vendors serving our favorite crustacean. But there’s plenty of other seafood on the menu, from festival favorite crawfish pistols to crab claws and everything in between.
Loads of art, retail & outdoor marketplaces
The fest attracts high-quality fine artists from throughout the country working in a wide variety of mediums, from painting to sculpture. The fest’s intimate setting allows visitors to chat with artists about their inspirations. You can also find items from whimsical to wonderful and functional to just plain fun, you’ll find a wide variety of crafts at the fest’s retail marketplace. In addition, The Outdoor Village will be back again and will feature outdoor themed retail.
Thursday, Oct. 10
East Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Lisa Christian
12:00 – 1:30: Porch Ninjas
2:00 – 3:30: Ryan Balthrop
4:00 – 5:30: Tobacco Road
6:00 – 7:30: Style The Band
8:15 – 10:00: Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster
West Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Logan Lassitter
12:00 – 1:30: Hannah McFarland
2:00 – 3:30: Roxy & The Magic Johnsons
4:00 – 5:30: Bruce Smelley
6:00 – 7:30: David Jones & Friends
8:15 – 10:00: The Tip Tops
Friday, Oct. 11
East Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Top Hat & Jackie
12:00 – 1:30: Tracey & Alan
2:00 – 3:30: The Defrosters
4:00 – 5:30: Will Smith
6:00 – 7:30: Journey2Mars
8:15 – 10:00: Category 6
West Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Brent Burns
12:00 – 1:30: Christina Christian
2:00 – 3:30: Tiny Objects
4:00 – 5:30: Yeah Probably
6:00 – 7:30: The Wildflowers
8:15 – 10:00: Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster
Saturday, Oct. 12
East Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Elaine Petty
12:00 – 1:30: Ten Penny Gypsy
2:00 – 3:30: JoJo Pres
4:00 – 5:30: Miles Flatt
6:00 – 7:30: Cort Carpentor
8:15 – 10:00: Mustache The Band
West Stage
10:00 – 1:00: Singing for Scholarships
1:30 – 3:30: Elvis Remembered Tribute Band
4:00 – 5:30: Def Leppard Tribute Band
6:00 – 7:35: AC/DC Tribute Band
8:15 – 10:00: Velcro Pygmies
Sunday, Oct. 13
West Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Marcus & Ebony
12:00 – 1:30: Andy Smith
2:00 – 3:30: Wavelength
3:30 PM – 5:00: Groovinators
East Stage
10:00 – 11:30: Liberty Church Worship
12:00 – 1:30: Al & Cathy
2:00 – 3:30: Sandra Kaye & Legend Band
3:30 – 5:00: Voodoo Bayou
Pictured: Shrimp Fest entertainers include local favorites Ryan Baltrhop, Brent Burns, Elaine Petty, Top Hat & Jackie and The Porch Ninjas.