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Thursday, December 15th, 2011
The holiday season is filled with opportunities for giving and for fun for all ages and interests. But the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores has it all covered in one place.
Talk with Santa and play with the animals at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo's Christmas Party Saturday, December 17, 2011.
Saturday, December 17, is their annual Christmas Party with Santa. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., admission for children 10 and under is free with a paying adult. Bring your camera, as Santa is eager to pose for pictures and chat with your young one. Refreshments will be served, and some of your favorite animals will be making appearances.
Most of us have a soft spot for animals, so why not bring a gift or two for your favorite creatures? Your generosity will help feed, clean, house or offer entertainment to some of the residents of “The Little Zoo That Could.” If you’re not sure what gifts to bring, choose from the many items on the wish list. Another idea is to bring gift cards from Lowe’s or Home Depot, or simply make a donation.
If you are still searching for gifts for the humans on your list, the gift shop is filled with items from clothing and accessories to toys to books and more. Perhaps an Individual, Friendship (2 people), Family, Grandparents or Group (up to 6 people) membership would bring the most enjoyment, as it means your recipient gets unlimited, free admission for a year. Memberships begin at just $40 and range up to $120.
Where else can you get your fill of Santa and animal fun for the kids, feel great about giving much-needed assistance to a wonderful organization, and complete your gift shopping all in one place in one day? For many reasons, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is the place to be at the holidays or any time of year.
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, Charity, Children, Educational, Events, Holidays, Nature and Wildlife | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, children, exhibit, family, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, gift, Gulf Shores, island, Orange Beach, Shopping
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, June 29th, 2011
The official holiday may be July 4, but at The Hangout in Gulf Shores you are encouraged to celebrate all weekend long.
Celebrate with games and music all weekend at the All-American 4th of July event at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Be a kid again as you participate or cheer on competitors in the wiffle ball tournament. Get your fill of watermelon without worrying about how much ends up on your face, arms or clothes when you compete for top honors in the eating contest. Try your hand at tossing water balloons—it may be harder than you think! Show your strength and agility during the limbo, hula-hoop and tug-of-war games. Find out whether wearing a frozen T-shirt on a hot day is refreshing or just downright cold. Test your skill at tossing whipped cream pies, and play in the foam mountain or sand pile.
You can be as engaged or as separated from the activities as you choose in this spacious indoor/outdoor setting where Hwy. 59 meets the beach. Either way, the weekend will be underscored by great music each evening. Catch the band Crooked 11 on Friday at 7:00, then stay for Mario Mena at 11 p.m. Saturday’s schedule has The Park Band at 7 followed by Foxy Iguanas at 11. Sunday brings Rumor Mill to the stage at 7:00 and Mario Mena at 11:00. Monday’s lineup begins again with Rumor Mill at 7:00 then features Crucial Rhyme at 11 p.m. (Must be 21 or older after 11 p.m.)
All ages will have a great time escaping from the daily routines and worries. That’s what The Hangout is all about! No matter what hour—starting with breakfast that includes Pirates and Princesses shows at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30, and ending with late-night music until 2:00 a.m.—you’ll find The Hangout a lively change of pace for kids and the kid inside.
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, Children, Dining, Events, Food, Holidays, Nightlife | No Responses »
Tags: 4th of July, Alabama, American, band, Beaches, children, concert, destination, family, festival, Fort Morgan, free, Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores, island, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, sand, Shopping, shoreline
