This was our first visit to the Zydeco and Crawfish Festival. They closed up a little early due to…read morethreats of inclement weather, which didn't really matter to us because it only took a little over an hour to see and do everything there. It's much smaller than most of the festivals around here. That's positive in a way because parking is easier. There were about 20-30 vendors set up and they had some cool and unique items for sale. My favorite local candle lady/photographer was there with her candles and wax melts. There were several people selling jewelry, paintings, and other things you typically expect to find at these kinds of events. The bands were good, but the stage was so close to a couple of the booths you could barely hear the vendors. Now for the negative... tickets for food and drinks. Are you kidding me? Everything you buy to eat or drink (except beer) is purchased with tickets, which are $1 each. We had to go look at different vendor booths, figure out what we wanted, then go buy that number of tickets. The beer is cash only and was like $5-$6 for domestic beer like Miller Lite. There were plenty of cool crawfish tables set up, but there was nowhere to wash your hands. Next year, we'll probably just eat before we go. There's room for improvement but we enjoyed it. All in all, it was worth checking out and we will go back again.

Okay this was great. Entertainment, sales booths and crawfish. Now we are northerners and I've…read morenever had crawfish but when in Rome.... lol. The people were great after impromptu how to eat crawfish I was off and running. I'm hooked I love em thanks to all the friendly people we met.

The St. Benedict German Festival, an annual event held at St. Benedict Catholic School in Elberta,…read moreAlabama, is a much anticipated gathering that brings together the local community. This celebration of German heritage and culture has taken place for over 50 years, today was the 51st, for a delightful experience for attendees of all ages. The festival was initially established in the early 1970s as a way to commemorate the rich German ancestry of many residents in the area. What started as a modest gathering has since transformed into a tradition, drawing thousands of people each year to partake in the festivities. The festival has a nice array of activities and attractions to delight and entertain its visitors. One of the main highlights of the event is the authentic German cuisine, including traditional sausages, sauerkraut, potato salad, goulash and an assortment of homemade pastries and desserts, such as strudels and kiffels. I had a big grilled brat in a bun, some excellent German potato salad and strudel, very nice!  In addition to the tasty culinary offerings, the festival has a diverse range of entertainment options. Live music performances was one of our favorites, Symone French, her second year here, encouraging festival-goers to dance and sing along. Arts and crafts vendors showcase their unique wares, with an opportunity to purchase unique local area items and support local artisans. For the youngsters, the Kids Village offers an engaging and fun-filled experience with a variety of games, face painting, bounce houses, and other activities. Meanwhile, adults can partake in the beer and wine garden, sampling a selection of imported German beers and other refreshing beverages. Over the years, the St. Benedict German Festival has evolved to become more than just a celebration of heritage; it is now a symbol of community spirit and unity. The event serves as a significant fundraiser for the St. Benedict Catholic School, with proceeds supporting various educational programs and initiatives. Bottom line: The St. Benedict German Festival in Elberta, AL, has successfully preserved and promoted the town's unique cultural identity for more than five decades. Its continued success demonstrates the importance of communal gatherings in fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and preserving traditions.  https://saintbenedict.net/news-events/german-festival/ https://www.facebook.com/StBenedictGermanFestival/

It's the 48th annual shrimp festival on Gulf Shores beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama (October 2019)…read moreLive music, 84° sunny weather, sandy beaches, arts & crafts, lots of food and oh yeah SHRIMP!! Me & my limpy sweetheart just chillin', eatin' & beachin' the afternoon away. Beach life is a good life, especially when you know you have earned it. For 48 years this volunteer-driven event has been a Gulf Shores tradition. Food, music, art, and so much more make up an event that draws over a estimated 250,000 people from all around the planet. The 1/4 million draw is a far cry from the humble beginnings which wasn't much more than a glorified shrimp boil that had a half dozen booths and lasted all of 6 hours. It really has evolved into a world-class event that last four days with over 300 exhibitors that has everything from fine art, arts & crafts, food demonstrations, and a retail marketplace plus vendor booths from Chevy trucks to memory foam mattresses and a lot more. It's an area that covers nearly half a mile with 4-6 walking double isles that stretch from the beaches edge out into beach boulevard, it's pretty darn big and keeps getting bigger. The Annual National Shrimp Festival remains a FREE event open to everyonesince its inception in 1971 when it began as a way to keep the tourist at the beach after Labor Day, which was traditionally the end to the season. Unlike areas, like Cape Cod, where many businesses close their doors until Memorial day, mostly due to cold weather, the weather in Gulf Shores is traditionally still very summer-like in October. Today on Oct 11th it was 89° and there were plenty of beach goers and even some who were having a hard time dealing with the heat. Mainly those folks working from early in the day behind those big tents with big fryers that find the midday heat a little hard to handle however there's plenty of places for event goers to find shade and places to sit, hydrate and catch the ocean breeze. Parking is tough because they close beach boulevard around the fest and lots of prime areas are taken up by vendors so every inch of available space is $10 to park everywhere. The exception is handicap parking which is pretty plentiful and free close to the fest. The good news is there's a lot of shuttles coming in from miles around in all directions. Wristbands for the shuttle can be purchased for $5.00 per day. CASH ONLY. Children 6 and under do ride for free. For all the particulars on shuttles visit their website at: http://www.myshrimpfest.com/shuttles.html Before I talk shrimp music is a big deal here and you can catch local talent and national recording artists on two different stages of during all hours of the festival performing everythinh from classic rock to country. You can bring your chairs & blankets for a good seat to any or all of the shows however be advised that there are no coolers allowed. Another note, everything is handicap accessible right down to all the restrooms with ramps at several locations throughout. Okay let's talk food. There's food vendors from one end of the fest to the other with everything from chicken, burgers, sausages, phillies, pizza, hot dogs, pasta, salads, bloomin' onions, nachos to gator & shark on a stick, Alaskan king crab, all kinds of crawfish, scallops, bunches of different fish dishes, jerky, fritters, lobster and of course a pltheroa of shrimp and a whole lot more. Yes there is beer vendors as well as lots if tea & lemonade stands everywhere and course lots of ice cream choices. We ate fritters, fried shrimp, grilled scallops with fried rice & fries and had some big fresh squeezed lemonades. [I have one complaint .... there's a bunch of Nanny's lemonade stands that advertise regular & sugar-free lemonade. I asked for sugar-free but them was told they only have swee n low, whaaaaaat? No other sweeteners? That is a serious southern thing that is not just not cool because that stuff tastes icky to me] no more complaints. Bottom line: The volunteers truly make this event a real hit because it's many locals, neighbors and muli-generational people who take pride in their hometown. The organizers also continue to push the limits in exhibits, entertainment, amenities and put a huge premium on safety and comfort. It's truly a world class event that appeals to the entire family year after year.

This is such a joke because you're hard-pressed to find any fresh shrimp. The only place that I…read morefound it was at the local grocery store that had fresh bowl shrimp and everything else is fried and the shrimp are coupled with fried green tomatoes and fried lobster and everything else fried you can imagine and they are all cooked in the same grease. Very few vendors sell anything with a shrimp on it. Basically this is just a county fair with no rides. I live down here and was excited because we hadn't had it for two years but never again will I waste my time!

I will be going back to the Hangout Music Festival for the third straight year during the summer of…read more2019. I can't tell you how excited I am to return. Part of that excitement is my wife and I go as Super VIP guests. We are 59 and 61 years of age respectively. At this stage in our lives we have the means to provide ourselves with this very special luxury. When you go to the Hangout Music Festival as a Super VIP guest, you have lunch and dinner catered by some incredible chef's from across the south. There is an open bar. You are in a raise exclusive area just to the side of the Hangout stage. There are four hot tubs for your use and the VIP pools. Golf carts take you from one end of the festival to the other. This past year they had a very small private beach area by the other main stage. I have gone to Bonnaroo Music Festivals for 2017 and 2018. The festivals are completely different even though the acts are usually very similar. To let you know how much I love the Hangout, I have decided to skip Bonnaroo this year completely. The price of the Super VIP tickets are very high however regardless of the ticket price, the Hangout Music Festival is the BOOM.

This just wrapped up last night here in Gulf Shores and it's a really big deal for the local…read moreeconomy. I volunteered to walk the beach for the turtles so didn't have to buy a ticket. The festival was first held in 2010 and has since become a major draw for music lovers of all ages. The three-day event takes place on the beach in Gulf Shores, with multiple stages set up to showcase a wide range of musical genres. Past performers at the festival have included some of the biggest names in music, such as Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Zac Brown Band, John Legend, Ben Harper, The Black Crowes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Mumford & Sons, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Dave Matthews Band, and Steve Winwood. In 2009, shortly before the festival's opening, the Gulf Coast was hit by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which impacted its attendance and general public perception of this area. The festival was attended by 13,000-15,000 people per day in 2010. But it was a huge hit and it's gotten to be a local phenom, as music festivals go, and there's 40,000 tickets sold every year and they sell out within hours, yeah pretty darn big. Ticket prices are a bit pricey $349 for General Admission, $569 for GA Plus, $1,299 for VIP and $2,399 for Super VIP. The Hangout Music Festival is one of the premier music events in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Held annually in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the festival attracts thousands of music fans from around the country who come to enjoy a diverse lineup of performers, as well as the beautiful beach setting and festive atmosphere. In addition to the music, the festival features a variety of food and drink vendors, art installations, and other activities to keep attendees entertained throughout the weekend. The festival is also known for its unique amenities, such as the "Hangout Hammocks" where attendees can relax and enjoy the music from a comfortable vantage point, and the giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the beach and surrounding area. One of the things that sets the Hangout Music Festival apart from other music events is its focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. The festival has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental impact, such as using compostable plates and utensils, providing recycling bins throughout the festival grounds, and partnering with local organizations to promote conservation efforts in the Gulf Shores area. Overall, the Hangout Music Festival offers a fun and unique experience for music fans of all ages. With its beautiful beach setting, diverse lineup of performers, and focus on sustainability, it's no wonder that the festival has become such a beloved event in the Gulf Coast region. Whether you're a die-hard music fan or just looking for a fun weekend getaway, the Hangout Music Festival is definitely worth checking out. The big downside for us locals are the influx of a lot of visitors from all over. Many of us go into a self imposed hibernation during the 3 day invasion. Roads and resident parking, as well as several restaurants are closed plus the traffic can be frustrating but it's a bihlg deal and we support tourism.

Since 2019 ​Alabama Coastal Foundation and Share The Beach hosts Turtle Fest, an annual event in…read morecollaboration with Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. It is held at the Gulf State Park Pier with festivities all about the amazing sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. You can learn about these marine animals from the naturalists during the Pier tour. Join in on photo ops, crafts, face painting, games, a scavenger hunt, pier walks and more! There's exhibits, talks, and everything sea turtles! The Alabama Gulf Coast hosts many varieties of sea life, including adult and juvenile sea turtles. Turtle Fest celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of these ancient an majestic animals. Cost: $3 per person, this will also allow visitors to sightsee on Pier. https://www.facebook.com/alabamacoastal https://www.facebook.com/groups/336764342893/ https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresPierFishing/

This is the coolest and very charming homegrown little museum I've ever had the pleasure of…read morevisiting and the fact that it's right here in my neighborhood rocks! We love stopping in to see what's new and they do get new items and exhibits loaned to them that keeps it fresh. Our visit yesterday was to support their open house that included some very nice refreshments. Besides some delish coffee, tea & excellent punch there was chic salad sandwiches, fresh fruit, veggies with dip and delicious cup cakes. Why am I reviewing food? Well I can't help myself LOL Okay before I talk about what's inside let's look at how it all came to be. Located at 244 W. 19th Ave. in Gulf Shores, AL the building has an interesting history. It was originally a beach house for the Mobile family of Valorie Cole dating back to before World War II. It was always here on 19th street, in fact, it was located on West Beach, and was donated to the city following Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The building has been in use by the city since 1982, first as the library, then as the youth center. It's kinda like the little building that could :-) The land was generously donated by Claude O'Connor, and Wade and Pat Ward. Also Oyster Bay Baptist Church donated their steeple in 1999 to watch over the garden which has dedicated benches and is quite zen-like. Out front is another donated item, a 40-foot mast donated by Walter Nelson and Jimmy Nelson of Nelson's Boat Yard that's used as a flag display. The mast was built in 1940 and was on a local shrimp boat the Sea Biscuit. They have done a great job making this place into a comfortable, warm and invitingly charming experience for the whole family. There's a couple rooms that really tell the story of Gulf Shores with some interactive displays, maps, photos and artifacts. A music section, a room dedicated to hurricanes, complete with a movie, and really a whole lot more. If you haven't checked it out when visiting or if you're a local you'll be glad you did once you see all they offer. Christie Shannon is the museum administrator and is VERY knowledgeable about everything inside and out of her charges and she's friendly, articulate and just a terrific representative of what I now refer to as "my little museum". She has always welcomed us and walks us through what's new and up and coming stuff as well. I know I keep using the term "little" but that's because I've made many visits to the many Smithsonian's in DC, and museums in Boston, Chicago & L.A. just to name a few and of course this one is in someone's former beach house, so relatively it is little. But they make use of every square inch and it's bigger inside than it looks. Bottom line: I highly recommend this great local museum. Explore new and permanent exhibits as well as seasonal programs and events. Admission is free to the public.  Follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresMuseum/

This little museum was better than I thought it would be. It is small, and city is only sixty years…read moreold but it was well put together and informative. The video on hurricane Ivan was outstanding and that raised them to four stars. If you have the time take it in. Also it is free.

My husband and I attended the Baldwin County Fair in Robertsdale on Friday, August 19, 2025 and we…read morewere so pleasantly surprised by the kindness shown right at the gate. As we walked up, the lady at the ticket table noticed my husband's veteran ID and asked if he was a Veteran. When he said yes, she kindly let us know that veterans were admitted free of charge. What an incredible gesture! It really touched us that the fair takes the time to honor and acknowledge our veterans in this way. The fair itself was wonderful--smaller, very family-oriented, and welcoming. The food was delicious, and we especially enjoyed the bucket of fries and a classic corn dog. Prices were very reasonable, even lower than what we're used to paying at our local fair in Mobile, and that was another pleasant surprise. This was our very first time attending the Baldwin County Fair, but it will certainly not be our last. The entire atmosphere was friendly and inviting, and it made for such an enjoyable evening. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who helped make the fair so special, and a very heartfelt thank-you again for honoring veterans. That one simple act of kindness made our night, and it showed us what a thoughtful and community-centered fair Baldwin County has to offer. Thank you for such great hospitality.

As beer festivals go, you could do a lot worse for the money. For the past few years, I've attended…read morethis Festival and had a great time. Weather permitting, it's usually a great afternoon sampling beers from all over the Southeast, as well as a few from all over the globe. If you can keep your cool in the hot Coastal weather, you'll have a great time mingling with home brewers, beer advocates and lushes while you sip on everything from American-style pilsners to Belgian trippels. There's even food and live music. If you're nice, you can pick up some great free schwag from the brewers, too.