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Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Valentine greetings have been popular since the Middle Ages. The first commercially printed Valentine cards in America appeared in the 1840s. Today, an estimated one billion cards are sent each year, often accompanying the popular gifts of candy and flowers.
Make Valentine's Day even more special when you bring your valentine to the beach.
Those gestures are wonderful, sweet, and certainly appreciated by anyone who receives them. But wouldn’t you like to do something a little different for your sweetheart this year? Say “I love you” by creating a wonderful memory together at the beach.
We can help by offering some love to your budget. When you take advantage of the Valentine Special through Meyer Vacation Rentals, you’ll receive TWO free nights. Rent a romantic 1-bedroom beach or bay property for four nights, but just pay for two. That’s a 50% savings!
If you prefer to celebrate the occasion with spacious, private accommodations for the whole family, rent a house for seven nights and get the sixth and seventh nights free.
Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use them for an early check-in and late check-out, allowing for more leisure time along the coast.
So instead of thinking red or pink this Valentine’s Day, think white sands and blue water—and a little extra green in your pocket. Your sweetheart will love you for it.
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.
Posted in Alabama, Beaches, Florida, Holidays | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, condo, couple, destination, Florida, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, getaway, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, house, island, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, rental, romance, sale, saltwater, sand, shoreline, special, Vacation Tips-Discounts, Valentine's Day
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
The environmentalist. The volunteer. The nature lover. The person who has everything. The proud local. The appreciative visitor. The ecotourist. The science teacher or student.
Your gift to a friend or family member also supports Weeks Bay Foundation programs.
Many of us fit into at least one of those categories. And we know of one particular gift item that will satisfy any or all of these folks.
When you give someone a 2011 Weeks Bay ornament that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the designation of the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, you give much more than a simple gift to a friend or family member. You also support the natural environments of our area and beyond.
Current programs of the Weeks Bay Foundation include submerged equipment, weather stations and sampling projects to monitor water quality. And their ongoing objective is to purchase land in the Weeks Bay watershed that may be added to the National Wildlife Reserve, or be set aside with a conservation easement such as to preserve a wildlife habitat, or create a buffer to conservation lands.
You have four options for securing this decorative item that depicts a fisherman in a kayak. The best value is a combination ornament and one-year membership in the Weeks Bay Foundation for just $50. Send an ornament with a holiday card that includes your personal greeting for just $20, shipping included. Ornaments alone are $15 online, or you may purchase them in person for $12 at Fairhope Pharmacy’s Christmas ’Round the Corner or the Weeks Bay Reserve at 11401 U.S. Hwy. 98 in Fairhope (251-990-5004).
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 Alabama, Birding, Boating, Businesses, Charity, Educational, Fishing, Fundraisers, Gifts, Holidays, Nature and Wildlife | 1 Response »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, charity, destination, exhibit, family, Fishing, Fort Morgan, fundraiser, gift, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, History, holiday, island, Orange Beach, saltwater, sand, shoreline
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Unique.
That’s what the 4th Annual Halloween Party at The Hangout will be. That’s what the costume contest judges are looking for. And that’s what the music is when it comes from the evening’s performers, Jermaine Quiz and Beats Antique.
Win your share of $2000 in cash and Hangout Fest tickets during the Halloween Party costume contest at The Hangout in Gulf Shores. Musical guests: Beats Antique and Jermaine Quiz.
The doors open at 9:00 p.m. this Friday, October 28, 2011, where Highway 59 ends in Gulf Shores. That gives you plenty of time to obsess over your costume and makeup—after all, $2000 in cash prizes and Hangout Music Fest tickets are at stake for the sexiest, the scariest and the most original costumes, so you’ll want to go all out.
Beginning at 9:30, Jermaine Quiz takes the stage with live horns enhancing his unique brand of “turntablism.”
At the stroke of midnight, Beats Antique will bewitch you with a seductive mix of electronica/world music created by classically trained David Satori and Tommy Cappel, and accompanied by ultra-fluid belly dance/ballet/modern movement expertly crafted by Zoe Jakes.
This out-of-this-world party is open to those 18 and older. Tickets can be purchased for $17 in advance or $20 at the door for those 21 and over. Those aged 18–20 may purchase tickets for $30 at the door; if purchased in advance at the $17 rate, a $10 underage fee will be collected at the door.
There’s no need to worry about driving home at such a late hour—grab a group of friends and share a vacation rental property nearby, such as a 3-bedroom condo or house in Gulf Shores. If you stay 4 nights or longer, be sure to enter the promo code 11FFN to get your 4th night free in a condo or 5th night free in a house!
Halloween Party 2011. The folks at The Hangout promise it’ll be a killer of a good time.
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, Beaches, Businesses, Dining, Events, Food, Holidays, Nightlife | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, band, beach, Beats Antique, concert, destination, Foley, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Halloween, holiday, island, Jermaine Quiz, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, sand, The Hangout
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
