Fall Shrimp Festival

Thirty five years ago a group on individuals on our island (Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach, Alabama) decided that after the summer season it was time for the locals to party. They created the Shrimp Festival which was a big beach party with music and food and a general great time in honor of the importance that the seafood industry plays in our part of the coast. As the fun grew bigger and more people decided to join the locals more music, food, fine arts crafts were added. Now the National Shrimp Festival is a must on the fall schedule for 200,000+ residents and visitors. It was recently named one of the top twenty events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society and one of the top 5 tourist attractions in the state of Alabama. It is still held at the end of the highway (59) where the beach (and the fun) begins and there is still no admission price. It begins on Thursday (Oct 12) and I'll be there to buy a "seafood pistol",which is a wonderful cajun delight. I'll step a few feet to the boardwalk and watch the waves and the people walking along the shore. There I'll eat my first course and decide what to try next whether more seafood or maybe some dessert. After visiting some of my favorite artists and possibly picking out a special watercolor print I'll make my way to the music area to enjoy the bands. In the past 25 years I've never missed the National Shrimp Festival and this year will be no exception. Click here if you want to know more.