Local's Night in Gulf Shores

Beginning Thursday (October 11, 2007) as many as 300,000 visitors will migrate to the public beach in Gulf Shores (Alabama) to experience the excitement of the National Shrimp Festival (Oct 11-14). The majority of visitors will not be aware that local residents and business professionals head to the Shrimp Festival on Thursday night for what we consider "Local's Night."

We throw on our jeans and let our hair down to feast on shrimp and other festival delights. We carefully survey the rows and rows of art, crafts and commercial merchandise and often purchase what appeals to us this year. Of course we'll buy our souvenir T-shirt, hat, visor, etc. to add to our yearly collection of Shrimp Festival memorabilia. Most of us will volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce to work in the retail booths or some other needed job at some point in the 4-day event but tonight is our night. We run into one another up and down the boardwalk and talk about how delighted we are that the festival has grown to this size and received awards and national recognition. We'll also comment that we are happy that we can still enjoy this night. Large groups of locals will mix with visitors to dance and sing to the bands at two music stages. My choice will be the Tip Tops, a high-energy band from Mobile. Don't be mistaken about our claim for this beginning night at the Shrimp Festival. We are thrilled that the crowds for this first day and night have grown but forever it will considered local's night.

By the way it's not too late to join us and receive a Shrimp Festival Special from Meyer Real Estate. The weather is going to be perfect festival weather with sunny days in the 80's and cooler nights in the 60's. The gulf front condos in Gulf Shores are reserved but there are gulf front houses still available as well as near-beach condos. Plus you'll find available vacation rental properties in Orange Beach that are just a shuttle ride away. Properties in Perdido Key, Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island provide other great getaway choices.