National Shrimp Fest: Oct. 13-16 at Gulf Shores Public Beach
National Shrimp Fest: Oct. 13-16 at Gulf Shores Public Beach
If fest is open, music will be playing
Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster Tracy Lawrence and The Tip Tops will be featured musical acts during the 45th Annual National Shrimp Festival scheduled Oct. 13-16 at Gulf Shores Public Beach. As always, the more than 80 hours of musical musical acts at the fest will include blues, motown, southern rock, 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.
The festival will be featuring live music on two stages
One of the more popular acts is Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster with gigs scheduled Thursday and Friday. Doctor Zarr’s is a party band out of Memphis that plays on average 100 shows a year.
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 parker 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.
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 Walmart Marketplace
3. 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 15 on the beach at the southwest corner of the festival grounds. Registration begins on the beach at 11 a.m. and building occurs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Teams are allowed a maximum of 4 members. All participants will receive a plastic sand bucket and shovel.
The 4 team categories are: 5-10 years; 11-15 years; 16 years and up; family (All ages. If you wish to help your child, 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.
Students sing for scholarships Oct. 15
Baldwin County high school students will compete in an American Idol modeled talent show during the The Shrimp Fest Singing for Scholarships singing competition on Saturday, October 15. Performers from all Baldwin high schools will compete for scholarships for themselves as well as matching funds for their schools. Each high school conducts its own contest. The event will be held on the West Stage at 10 a.m. The winner will earn $1,000 for the student and represented school. Second place is $500 to the school and student and third place is $250 for the student and the represented school.
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. The Zatarain’s Seafood Sampling Tent will teach you the GOODS all Festival LONG! Numerous local chefs will be instructing on their perfect techniques on how to cook the best Gulf Seafood! Stay tuned for the schedule of chefs!
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.
The fest is promoted as a family affair, and that means there’s plenty of excitement and entertainment for the little ones. Youngsters find all kinds of hands-on hoopla around a special area designed just for kids. Supervised activities include arts, crafts, games, entertainment and music.
From whimsical to wonderful and functional to just plain fun, you’ll find a wide variety of crafts at the fest’s retail marketplace. The fest’s Outdoor Village will be back again and will feature outdoor themed retail.
Fest 10K & 5K Runs at O.B. Sportsplex
The Annual National Shrimp Festival 10K/5K Run will be held on Saturday, October 15 at the Orange Beach Sports Complex. Registration fees for the 5K Walk, 5KRun, and 10KRun are $40 for adults and $20 for students under 18. Participants can register at The Shrimp Fest booth on Thursday and Friday or at the Orange Beach Sportsplex before the race. The 10K will begin at 8 a.m. and the 5K approximately 30 minutes later. For all the details visit myshrimpfest.com or email shrimpfestivalrun@gmail.com. Net proceeds of the run will be donated to the Coastal Baldwin Educational Enrichment Foundation.