Orange Beach & Gulf Shores: No spring break rowdiness
Orange Beach & Gulf Shores: No spring break rowdiness
The City of Gulf Shores, in an effort to get ahead of rowdy behavior from millennials here for spring break, will continue with is seasonal alcohol ban on public beaches from March 2 through April 28.
The City of Orange Beach has also vowed to crack down on drunk and disorderly behavior in a letter distributed to media statewide from Mayor Tony Kennon.
“For those looking for a party town during spring break, Orange Beach is not it. Underage drinking, illegal drug use, disorderly conduct or any disturbance of the peace is never tolerated here,’’ Mayor Kennon wrote. “There will be no warnings, no mulligans, pour-outs, or do-overs. If you are drinking under age, if you are doing illegal drugs, misbehaving or are publicly intoxicated, you will go to jail.
“We will not compromise our family-friendly brand for a buck. We respect our visitors and expect it in return. It is only fair. We are a sanctuary city for families, and pride ourselves on that.’’
“We’re anticipating a little bit of an elongated spring break this year,” said Gulf Shores Director of Cultural Affairs Grant Brown. “The schedules of various schools this year will mean that spring break activity will be more spread out.’’
Both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach market themselves as family friendly spring break destinations.
“While our population is always in flux, our traditional family values never waiver. The city council and I have made an intentional choice to preserve our family-friendly brand,’’ Mayor Kennon stated. “Come March, snowbirds are replaced by families enjoying spring break. While spring break is a special time for so many, unfortunately it is also a time when a few vacationers take advantage of our kindness and hospitality.’’
Restrictions began in 2016 in Panama City drove more spring break crowds to Pleasure Island, resulting in arrests and rowdy behavior that led the island’s two cities to implement new rules to avoid the island becoming what had become an out-of-control Panama City. Pleasure Island’s award winning Convention & Visitors Bureau has always focused on attracting families.