Party Cajun-style at The Hangout this Labor Day Weekend!

Unless you are from Louisiana, you may not even know what “Cajun” means, much less what kind of celebrating it might describe. If so, it’s time to change that! This Labor Day Weekend is your chance to party like a Cajun, whether as second nature or for the very first time.

The folks at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama—yes, where Highway 59 ends, right on the beach—are making it easy to live it up. The three-day festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. this Friday, August 27, and each night it doesn’t wind down until 2:00 a.m.

During this time, you’ll enjoy Cochon de liat, a traditional pig roast. You’ll also be treated to zydeco music all weekend, including dance music from the Mermaid Stage. A free family show by Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. Saturday’s special guests are Don Fontenot and Lez Ami de La Louisianne beginning at 7:00 p.m. And Sunday at 8:00 p.m. is another lively show with Wayne Toups.

It’s not too late to plan your road trip to the party. In fact, Meyer Real Estate has teamed up with The Hangout for the weekend and beyond, offering 50% off accommodations plus a $50 Hangout gift card. See the details and reserve your beach headquarters online. This is a celebration you don’t want to miss!

Residents and visitors used to hear (or shout) this quite often along the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach shorelines. When laws were drafted to require our little and not-so-little four-legged friends to be kept on leashes and away from the public beaches, state park, Fort Morgan and wildlife refuge, that command faded away. But now both cities offer a welcome alternative.

Let your best friend play freely at a dog park in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama.

Recently opened is a fenced area near Sportsman Marina on Canal Road. The Orange Beach Dog Park makes it possible for your pet to enjoy unleashed playtime within its boundaries, thanks to the many folks who donated money and/or time to make this possible. Those in charge obviously had a sense of humor, as the park boasts strategically placed fire hydrants!

Just across the street from the Adult Activity Center and just south of the Bodenhamer Recreation Center in Gulf Shores is the Beason Wilkes Dog Park. Water is available in the small fenced area that will accommodate dogs of all sizes, with smaller dogs in the front and larger dogs just behind it. And yes,  fire hydrants are available there, as well.

If you are planning to bring your dog with you when you visit the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast, Meyer Real Estate will be pleased to help you locate dog-friendly vacation rental properties.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Upon learning of the fundraising effort, some of Jimmy’s friends offered to help out by donating their talents, as well. Joining Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band for this free show are the Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Sonny Landreth, Allen Toussaint and Jesse Winchester.

A large stage will be erected at the west end of the Gulf Shores Public Beach, where attendees will be able to enjoy the performances accompanied by the gentle sounds of the surf on Sunday, July 11. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m., and the first performer will take the stage at 5:00. Cable channel CMT will broadcast live from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.

More information will be shared as it becomes available, including other star-studded, benefit beach concerts this summer.

Although admission is free, a ticket is required for entrance—and we can help. If you have a reservation with Meyer Real Estate, you are eligible to register for a pair of tickets. Multiple pairs are available, so your chances of winning are very good! Simply have your confirmation handy, and fill in the registration information by no later than 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, July 6. Winners will be notified on Wednesday, July 7.

To help you enjoy the free concert even more–or to make your summer vacation more affordable–Meyer Real Estate is now offering a great savings opportunity: Stay between June 24 and August 6, 2010, and take advantage of a 40% discount on condos or 30% discount on houses. Call 877-887-0461 or book online and use promo code XJUL40 for condos or XJUL30 for houses. See online for details.

(Psst…Just for the concert, 1-night reservations may be made by calling 877-887-0461. Reservations for 2 nights or longer may be made via phone or online.)

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

The beach offers an escape from the everyday life, even if only for a few days.

What if we offered you a chance to get a free night in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, Alabama, or Perdido Key, Florida? Meyer Real Estate always gives you the seventh night free. (Actually, you can get your sixth and seventh nights free if you stay by May 26 – click here to get the scoop.)

Are time constraints keeping you from enjoying an entire week at the beach?

No problem! Stay just three nights or four. If you choose a condo, your third night is free. Opt for a house and you’ll get your fourth night free.

Your schedule will only allow two or three nights? Just use your free night as an extended check-out. Sleep in on that last morning, spend the afternoon at the beach, and maybe hang around for dinner before heading home again.

Not once, but TWICE in the next four weeks you’ll find a commemorative day paired with a special offer of third or fourth night free:

* Celebrate Mother Earth when you opt for the Earth Day special and stay between April 20 and 26, 2010. Enjoy nature-related activities such as hiking, biking or birding.

* Celebrate family ties when you opt for the Mother’s Day special and stay between May 5 and 11, 2010. Let Mom choose to shop, dine out or admire items at an arts & crafts fair.

Let Meyer Real Estate’s specials and extra-large variety of vacation properties make it easier to reward yourself with a much-needed beach escape!

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Get your tickets TODAY for the biggest beach music festival around!

Performance dates are May 14 through 16, 2010, but don’t wait too late to get your tickets or to make your condo or house reservations!

At just $159 for 3 days chock full of top-notch performers, the tickets are selling quickly. Think about what you’d pay for three of your favorite concerts. Now consider that you’ll have the opportunity to hear approximately 60 concerts AND take part in special activities AND enjoy the gorgeous Gulf Shores island beach at the same time. This is a deal you definitely don’t want to pass up!

You also may choose to treat yourself to VIP passes at a $500 or $900 level. These passes include special seating, private bar, preferred parking and many more perks.

For a list of bands (including Zac Brown Band, Trey Anastasio and TAB, John Legend, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Flaming Lips, Gov’t Mule and many, many more!), ticket information and further details, visit Hangout Music Festival. Also read more at Meyer Muse and Discover Alabama Beaches, plus see the newest bands added to the list at this post from Discover Alabama Beaches.

Planning for the festival is easiest when you make your lodging reservations through Meyer Real Estate. Choose from the island’s largest number of houses and condos on or near the beach. Stay in Gulf Shores for easy festival access. Or get the fourth night FREE in Orange Beach, Fort Morgan or Perdido Key when using the promo code XMUS. (Limited shuttle service is being planned by the festival committee.)

Three days of non-stop concerts on four stages at The Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 14-16, 2010.

The first major music fest to be held at the beach on Alabama’s Gulf Shores island is scheduled for May 14-16, 2010.

The four stages for The Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival will highlight some pretty terrific talent over the three-day event, with music playing non-stop from noon to 11 p.m. each of those days.

Some of the acts are still being finalized—the plan is to have more than 60 bands—but you are sure to find some favorites among this initial slate:

Public three-day passes cost $159. One-day passes may become available at a later date. For details on ticket purchases, as well as more bands and other to-be-announced activities, check out The Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival website.

Planning for the festival is easier when you make your lodging reservations through Meyer Real Estate. Choose from the island’s largest number of houses and condos on or near the beach. Stay in Gulf Shores for easy festival access. Or get the fourth night FREE in Orange Beach, Fort Morgan or Perdido Key when using the promo code XMUS.