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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
The twinkling lights in stores and on houses, the oversized plastic candy canes and snowflakes attached to the city’s light poles, the wreaths in the windows, the seasonal music in stores and on the radio . . . there’s no mistaking it—it’s Christmas time!
Share the holiday cheer with your neighbors at the City of Gulf Shores' Christmas Open House on Thursday, December 1, 2011.
Your entire family is invited to celebrate as a community (whether you are a resident or visitor) when the City of Gulf Shores opens its doors Thursday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m.
You’ll find an abundance of holiday joy spread among four locations, all within walking distance of each other: Gulf Shores Museum, Thomas B. Norton Public Library, Erie Meyer Civic Center and Bodenhamer Recreation Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, joined by some of their elves to help with photo opportunities (bring your camera!) and hand out treats. Whether listening or dancing, you’ll enjoy music by the Mobile Symphony Brass Quintet and Brent Burns. Crafts, stories, and activities such as a moonwalk bounce house will keep the children entertained, and everyone will marvel at the train sets, award-winning gingerbread houses and holiday village.
You can pick up a schedule of entertainment at any of the four locations mentioned above or South Baldwin Community Theater, or you may call 251-968-1172 for more information. And please plan to arrive with a gift to donate to Toys for Tots so that less-fortunate children also may feel the warmth of the holiday season.
Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Arts Visual, Charity, Children, Events, Food, Holidays | 2 Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, Brent Burns, charity, children, concert, exhibit, family, festival, free, gift, gingerbread house, Gulf Shores, holiday, island, Mobile Symphony Brass Quintet, music, Orange Beach, Santa, Train, village
Friday, November 4th, 2011
Seldom will you find a two-day festival with such variety—variety of entertainment, variety of educational and historical exhibits, variety of cultures, variety of time periods, variety of edible delights. But that’s exactly what you and your family will be treated to at the 11th Annual Heritage Harbor Days on November 5 and 6, 2011.
Huge variety of fun! Heritage Harbor Days in Foley, Alabama, November 5 and 6, 2011.
At Heritage Park in Foley (corner of Highways 59 and 98), discover antique tractors from family farms, take a ride on the L&N Depot event train, and thrill the children with a photo opportunity with Thomas the Tank Engine (Saturday only, 10:00, 11:30 and 2:00). Hear stories of the wagon-train days as you sample food prepared in a chuckwagon by cowboy poet/humorist/cook Kent Rollins. Watch for Davy Crockett, who will share tales of his adventures as he walks about the festival grounds.
Visit the many “buildings” of Heritage Village, an open replica of early 20th-century Foley. Explore a school, doctor’s office, home, general store, sewing shop and candle maker’s work area. Gather in the town square for music of the era and storytelling about Foley’s yesteryear.
Stage acts are scheduled non-stop on two main stages plus the Children’s Village. Banjos, bodhrins, fiddles and spoons share the stage with the Mexican Folkloric Dancers and Native American Dancers. Bluegrass and folk songs are interspersed with popular music of today, including Broadway, and the Navy Band will highlight patriotic music. Sunday’s Children’s Village stage line-up brings storytellers, dancers, martial arts, pageantry and batons. Check out the full entertainment line-up at the festival website.
Watch the experts shuck oysters and teach you how to eat them. Once you’ve mastered that skill, round out mealtime with favorite yummies such as gyros, po-boys, kabobs, corn dogs, funnel cakes, lemonade, waffle-cone ice cream treats, kettle corn, pork rinds and much more.
Experience the history of Foley at Heritage Village during Heritage Harbor Days.
Many local arts and crafts experts will be offering their handiwork, so be prepared to make at least a couple of trips back to your car with gifts for yourself, your friends and your family. And just when you think you’ve experienced all there is at the festival, the organizers toss one more popular family activity your way: Fireworks at dusk on Sunday create a perfect, timeless way to close out the experience-packed weekend.
Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Activities, Arts, Arts Performing, Arts Visual, Children, Concerts, Educational, Events, Food, Gifts, History, Presentations, Shopping | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, band, children, concert, destination, exhibit, family, festival, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores, Heritage Harbor Days, History, island, music, Navy Band, Shopping, Thomas the Tank Engine
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Yes! Bring the kids to the Shrimp Festival October 13–16, 2011!
Bring the kids and enjoy loads of family fun during Shrimp Fest, October 13–16, 2011, in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are encouraged to bring the younger set to enjoy this hugely popular event in Gulf Shores, Alabama. There is an entire section of the grounds dedicated to making the children’s days at the festival just as fun as the adults’ experience.
Free snacks of snow cones and popcorn will keep the kids fueled between meals. Many free events and activities will be provided, including sports inflatables, arts & crafts, video games, Build-a-Bear coloring books, jet ski simulator, face painting, make-your-own T-shirts, safety lessons and ID tags from the Alabama Marine Police. You’ll also find H2O Ballz, outdoor family adventures, and children’s clothing and accessories.
A full slate of live stage acts by or for children is offered throughout the four-day festival. Babin House of Party will supply free all-day entertainment on Thursday and Friday, October 13 and 14 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.), plus shorter stage segments Saturday and Sunday (see schedule below).
Local and regional acts fill out the weekend days:
Saturday
10–11 a.m. South Baldwin Dance Center
11–11:30 Melange Dance Company of Pascagoula, MS
11:30–noon Alabama International Girl Youth Development
Noon–12:30 Flip City
12:30–1:00 Babin House of Party
1:00–1:30 Southern Edge Dance
1:30–2:00 Wheeles Karate Academy
2:00–2:30 Southern Edge Dance
2:30–3:00 Babin House of Party
3:00–3:30 Flip City—Gulf Coast Little Princess Pageant Crowning
3:30–4:00 Gulf Coast Tae Kwon Do
4:00–5:00 Babin House of Party
Sunday
10:30–11 a.m. Alabama Entertainers Music Theater Group
11–11:30 Babin House of Party
11:30–noon International Miss Youth Development
Noon–12:30 Brandy Brown Studio
12:30–1:00 Miss Seafood Queens
1:00–1:30 kbDanz
1:30–2:00 Babin House of Party
2:00–2:30 Alabama Entertainers Music Theater Group
2:30–3:00 Alligator Alley
3:00–3:30 Alabama Entertainers Music Theater Group
3:30–4:00 –
4:00–5:00 Babin House of Party Grand Finale
Although not directly a part of Children’s Activity Village, the Sand Sculpture Contest on Saturday (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) offers a creative opportunity for age groups starting as young as 5 years.
So pack up the entire family for fun, fun, fun at the 2011 Shrimp Festival!
While at the festival, you won’t want to miss the wide variety of musical acts at both ends of the festival grounds. Take a look at the full line-up, including links to many of the performers, on our Shrimp Fest—East Stage and Shrimp Fest—West Stage pages.
Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Beaches, Children, Educational, Events, Food, Gifts, Shopping | 3 Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, babin house, band, Beaches, children, concert, dance, destination, exhibit, family, festival, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, inflatables, island, karate, little princess, music, musical, Orange Beach, Other Sports, Perdido Key, play, sand, Shopping, tae kwon do
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
The 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama is known not only for our favorite crustacean served any way you can imagine, but also juried art and arts & crafts booths, and two stages filled with live music throughout all four days.
Put your creative skills on display during the Shrimp Fest Sand Sculpture Contest on Saturday, October 15, 2011.
One of the lesser-known attractions of Shrimp Fest, though, comes by way of the beach. The white-sand setting of the festival makes it a perfect venue for a sand sculpture contest—and you are invited to participate.
Registration and building of masterpieces will begin Saturday, October 15, at 11:00 a.m., with judging starting at 3:00 p.m.
Competition is grouped into age categories: 5–10 years, 11–15 years, 16 years and older, or Family (mixed ages). Each group will compete for trophies and ribbons, and all participants will receive a sand bucket. The contest is sponsored by Ike’s Beach Service, Inc.
From basic shapes molded by buckets or by hand to complex artistic renderings, let your creativity shine as you enjoy a picture-perfect day at the beach and at Shrimp Fest 2011. Festival hours are Thursday–Saturday, October 13–15, 10–10 and Sunday, October 16, 10–5.
If you are bringing the entire family to Shrimp Fest—and we hope you are!–you’ll want to know what there is for the kids during the festival. Check out another page on this blog to learn about the Children’s Activity Village, including the kids’ stage schedule of entertainment.
While at the festival, you won’t want to miss the wide variety of musical acts at both ends of the festival grounds. Take a look at the full line-up, including links to many of the performers, on our Shrimp Fest—East Stage and Shrimp Fest—West Stage pages.
Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Arts Visual, Beaches, Children, Concerts, Dining, Events, Food, Gifts, Nightlife, Shopping | 1 Response »
Tags: Alabama, art, band, Beaches, children, competition, concert, contest, destination, exhibit, family, festival, Florida, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, gift, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, island, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, saltwater, sand, sand sculpture, sandcastle, Shopping
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
The 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival is here, filled with great food, live music on two stages, amazing fine arts and arts & crafts vendors, Children’s Village and more—all with a backdrop of our gorgeous white-sand beaches.
Save the parking hassle and fees—ride the shuttle to and from the Shrimp Festival.
As with any large public gathering, parking can be tricky. But the festival folks have made it easier to get around with the help of the Baldwin Rural Area Transit System (BRATS).
The transportation service will run Thursday–Saturday, October 13–15, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., and Sunday, October 16, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. A one-way ride is just $2 per person.
Multiple stops allow you to park away from the site and ride to the main entrance. The buses will run a continuous loop, so you won’t be waiting long at any pick-up point:
Running north/south along Hwy. 59 in Gulf Shores
Winn-Dixie
Bruno’s
Walmart
Running east of the main beach through Orange Beach
Gulf State Park Campground
Gulf State Park Pavilion (you MUST return BEFORE 10 p.m., as the pavilion lot is locked at 10 p.m.)
Winn-Dixie
Walmart Market
Flora-Bama
Publix
Running west of the main beach in Gulf Shores
Pier 33
Let BRATS take care of your transportation so you can soak up all the Shrimp Fest fun without the parking hassle.
Don’t forget to take time to hear some top-notch live music while at the festival. Take a look at the full line-up, including links to many of the performers, on our Shrimp Fest—East Stage and Shrimp Fest—West Stage pages.
Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Arts Visual, Beaches, Children, Concerts, Dining, Events, Food, Gifts, Nightlife, Shopping | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, band, Beaches, bus, concert, destination, exhibit, family, festival, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, gift, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, island, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, sale, saltwater, sand, Shopping, Shrimp Festival, shuttle
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
Fridays can be scary.
Great fun with scarecrows! Try your hand at pumpkin painting, Angry Birds crafts and catapult, caramel apple bar, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and a sing-along Friday, October 7, 2011 in Orange Beach, AL.
Well, maybe just this Friday.
Well, okay, maybe only if you are a crow.
Maybe I should explain.
For more than 3000 years, scarecrows of various forms have been used to keep birds from eating farmers’ crops. Originally just nets on poles, the Egyptians would scare wheat-eating quail into the nets, then take the birds home as their meal. Later, the Greeks (soon followed by the Romans) used carved wood modeled after the ugly Priapus, son of the god Dionysus and the goddess Aphrodite, hoping the unattractive mythological being would scare the birds away. It was the Japanese rice farmers who first made them human-like.
To celebrate the history of the scarecrow as well as the fall harvest season, the Orange Beach Arts Center—with help from The Friends of the Arts, Inc., the City of Orange Beach, and more than 40 local businesses—is hosting a Scarecrow Festival on Friday, October 7, 2011, between 4 and 7 p.m. You may not see these life-size creations on many farms today, but these hay-stuffed creatures on the OBAC lawn are sure to bring smiles to all who view them.
Attendees at this free festival will enjoy the company of 100 scarecrows and their proud creators. Fun prizes will be awarded, but it’s more about the family or team project than winning a contest. And the festival is for and about residents and guests in the community, not just the scarecrow builders.
Besides watching as raw materials become masterpieces with personalities, you and your family are encouraged to participate in pumpkin painting (yes, take yours home!), a sing-along, Angry Birds crafts and catapult, hot dog and marshmallow roasting, and a caramel apple bar. (Some activities require a small fee.)
Whether as a participant or a viewer, join your neighbors at the Orange Beach Arts Center, 26389 Canal Road, for a grand evening of old-fashioned fun.
If you’d like to make a scarecrow, you’ll need to call 251-981-2787 to reserve the frame, hay, paint and pillow cases; you provide the clothing. (At the time of this writing, only 5 are still available, so call now.) Scarecrows may be taken home after the festival or you may leave them on display at OBAC through Halloween.
Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Businesses, Children, Events, Food, Holidays | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, Arts Center, children, exhibit, family, festival, free, Gulf Shores, island, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Scarecrow Fest
