National Shrimp Fest: 10 a.m. ‘til 10 p.m. • Oct. 12-15 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 festival opens at 10 a.m. each day and runs through 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Brats Shuttle is $5 for all-day pass
Parking is first come, first serve basis at and around the festival site, with many businesses and property owners near the site offering parking for a fee on their parcels. Patrons also have the option to take advantage of the BRATS Shuttle. Cost is $5 per person for an all-day pass. Service is continuous from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Shuttles will run approximately every 15 minutes at each location. All shuttles are handicap accessible.
Wharf Pick Up & Drop Off
1.The Wharf,Canal Road, Orange Beach
North Pick Up & Drop Off
1. Pelican Place, 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway, West Lot, near Bed, Bath & Beyond
2. Erie Meyer Civic Center, North Lot, West 2nd St./ West 19th Ave.
West Pick Up & Drop Off
1. Pier 33 – Hwy 182 in Gulf Shores (west beach)
2. Sea Oats – 1872 West Beach Blvd. Hwy 182 in Gulf Shores
3. Waves Grocery & Package Store, W. Beach Blvd./ West 11th Street
East Pick Up & Drop Off
1. Gulf State Park Campground – 20115 State Hwy. 135 in Gulf Shores
2. Orange Beach Winn-Dixie
4. Flora-Bama Lounge, Florida/Alabama State Line
Sand sculpture contest has four divisions
The festival’s sand sculpture contest will be held on Saturday, October 14 at the west end of the beach at the public beach access. Registration and building begins at 11 a.m. Maximum 4 members per team. All participants will receive a sand bucket and shovel.
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, adult and family division winners will receive $100 cash prizes and junior and children’s division winners will receive $50 cash prizes. More info: myshrimpfest.com.
Fest 10K & 5K Runs at O.B. Sportsplex
The Oct. 14 Shrimp Festival 5K Run & Walk and 10K Run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14 beginning at 8 a.m. at The Orange Beach Sportsplex. Awards will be presented in all the usual divisions. All net proceeds of the Run will be donated to support education programs that benefit the children in our local schools.
Baldwin students will sing for scholarships
The Shrimp Festival Singing for Scholarships event was created in 2013 to support Baldwin County High Schools and its 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 willperform onstage on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the East Stage. Scholarships are awarded to the top three participants as well as to each of their high schools.
Everything from gator bites to tire swings
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.
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.
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.