Book it to Alabama’s beaches for stacked summer schedule

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are home to a variety of events from June through August, including big-name concerts, athletic events and festivals galore

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Pack up the family and cruise to the coast for a summer full of activities throughout Alabama’s 32-mile white sand beach destination. From concerts and celebrations to festivals and fishing tournaments, each member of the family may discover a whole different state of activity in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Explore the following happenings taking place from June through August 2014 along Alabama’s beaches.

Celebrate summer fun at The Wharf during 100 Days of Summer presented by Pepsi with many happenings, including concert nights, Family Fun Zone and SPECTRA, a free sound and light spectacular, each night on Main Street. For more exciting details, check out www.alwharf.com.

Uncover historical treasures during hour-long Civil War Twilight Tours at Fort Morgan State Historic Site each Tuesday evening in June and July. Guests will observe historical interpreters as they portray life during the Civil War as the fort celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay. Each tour concludes with artillery firing. Visit www.fortmorgan.org for more details.

Learn about topics such as summer gardening, Christmas in July and more during Summertime Wonderful Wednesdays at Bellingrath Gardens and Home each Wednesday in June and July. Head to www.bellingrath.org for more information.

The Gulf Coast Songwriter Shootout, a six-week competition beginning in May, is set to take place each Monday night from 6-10 p.m. through June 30. Ten artists will perform each night with two weekly winners for five weeks. During the sixth week, all previous winners will be invited back for the final showdown. For more details, visit www.florabama.com.

The Wharf, nominated for Venue of the Year (medium capacity) for the 2014 Academy of Country Music Awards, will welcome several acts through the summer during its C-Spire Wireless Concert Series. Get “Chicken Fried” with the Zac Brown Band on June 5 followed by the Goo Goo Dolls with Daughtry and the Plain White T’s in concert on June 21, with both shows beginning at 7 p.m. On July 19, classic rock legends Peter Frampton and The Doobie Brothers are set to perform hits like “Baby I Love Your Way” and “Black Water” at 8 p.m. Then, rock out with jam band Phish on Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. for an improvisational blend of rock, jazz and funk. For tickets and additional information, including concerts newly added to the schedule, visit www.alwharf.com.

Experience the University of Alabama’s summer program, SummerTide Theatre, as it presents All Shook Up at South Baldwin Community Theatre from June 6 to July 5 with performances each Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. This year’s musical is inspired by the great Elvis Presley featuring classics such as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” For ticket information and more, check out www.sbct.biz.

Flora-Bama’s Shindig on the Sand is set to impress during the bar’s 50th year from June 6-8 with more than 70 acts and over 200 musicians, including Shawna P & the Earthfunk Tribe, Wayne Toups, Sugarcane Jane, Cornbred and Lee Yankie & Hellz Yeah. This year’s event is partnered with American Family Care and Flora-Bama’s Gulf Coast Musicians’ Assistance Fund (GCMAF) to offer local musicians access to affordable healthcare and other social services. Daily admission is $5, and on-site parking will be available. Flora-Bama taxis and shuttles are set to run to accommodate overflow parking. Additionally, Shindig will feature country music star Billy Currington on Saturday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. The “Hey Girl” crooner will perform this separately ticketed concert for $40 per person on the main stage on Flora-Bama’s beachfront. Individuals who purchase this ticket will be admitted throughout the weekend at no additional charge. Go to www.florabama.com for more details.

Craft beer connoisseurs can taste away at the Abita-sponsored Top of the Hops Beer Festival at The Wharf on June 7. General admission tickets cost $34.99 in advance and include a 2-ounce souvenir sampling mug, festival guide, unlimited sampling of more than 150 craft beers, live entertainment, games and access to the Samuel Adams University Tent with seminars on cooking with beer, beer pairings and more. VIP tickets cost $75 in advance and include early entry, private special beer tastings, complimentary food and access to the VIP Lounge in addition to general admission items. Those not drinking may obtain a designated driver ticket for $15 for general admission or $25 for VIP. Check out www.topofthehopsbeerfest.com/wharf for more information.

The Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo will hit the coastal waters from June 13-15 as the beach bar continues its 50th anniversary celebration. The “Gulf Coast’s Funnest Fishing Tournament” features catching categories such as fun fish, inshore, offshore, blue water, most unusual, largest mullet and lion fish. Tickets are $35 per angler with weigh-ins taking place at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club. For more information, head to www.florabamafishingrodeo.com.

The 10th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival presented by Tanger Outlets welcomes more than 50 hot air balloonists from across the country June 13-14. Guests may enjoy free, fun entertainment featuring something for every member of the family, including live music, Disc Connected K-9 World Famous Frisbee Dog Show, Kid's Fun Zone, food vendors, arts and crafts and more. For more details, visit www.southbaldwinchamber.com/gulf-coast-hot-air-balloon-festival-overview.

Foodies may savor the flavors of the Southern Grace Celebrity Chef Dinners at Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina featuring James Beard award-winning New Orleans-based chefs throughout the summer. Attendees can consume culinary concoctions from Tory McPhail on June 14, Sue Zemanich on July 17, John Besh on July 31 and John Currence on Aug. 14. Each dinner is set to begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception to meet and mingle with the chef and communal seating to encourage conversation. Four of the chefs have published cookbooks, and tickets for their dinners will include a signed copy of their book. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from each dinner will go to support the Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA), a non-profit organization based at the University of Mississippi’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture that documents, studies and celebrates the diverse food cultures of the South. Purchase tickets and find more details at www.fishersobm.com.

Batter up as the USSSA Global World Series for baseball, softball and coach pitch swings into action throughout the summer. See some of the best youth baseball and softball players in the nation take on rivals at the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley Sportsplexes during the following tournaments:

• Global World Series 1: June 17-22
• Coach Pitch World Series: June 23-28    
• Global World Series 2: June 24-29    
• Global World Series 3: July 1-6
• Global World Series 4: July 8-13
• Recreation World Series Softball Tournament: July 14-20    
• Global World Series 5: July 15-20
• Softball C World Series: July 21-27

For more information, go to www.gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com.

Celebrate America’s birthday with Fort Morgan’s Salute to American Independence as historical interpreters, dressed in period uniforms of the U.S. Army from different eras of the fort's occupation, conduct special guided tours on July 4. Guests will also see artillery, small arms and other demonstrations throughout the day. Visit www.fortmorgan.org for more details.

Lace up for The Shark Adventure Run beginning at the Flora-Bama on July 4. Participants will wear a “bait belt” and try to maneuver around the “sharks” along the two miles of road and 2.5 miles of beach running. The race begins at 7 a.m. and will be accompanied by a one-mile fun run/walk. For more information, go to www.active.com.

Rock out to tribute bands representing the likes of Led Zepplin, U2, Prince and more during the Rewind Fest at The Wharf on July 5. General admission and reserved tickets range from $15 to $29.50. The Gold Circle VIP Package is $49.50, including seating in the first three rows, meet and greet and photo opportunity with band of choice, event t-shirt, VIP parking and VIP Club access with complimentary food and private restrooms. Visit www.rewindfest.com/wharf for more details.

Continue the holiday weekend fun with a barbeque spread, fireworks, live music by the Tip Tops and more during the Independence Day Celebration at Perdido Beach Resort on July 5 at 6 p.m. Advanced tickets cost $26.95 per adult and $13.50 per child ages 5-12, and tickets on the day of the event are $32 and $16. For more information, go to www.perdidobeachresort.com.

Soak up the action during the Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf at The Wharf Marina from July 8-13. While entry to “The Greatest Show in Sportfishing” is sold out, spectators may enjoy live entertainment, the “Leader of the Park” start at Bimini Bob’s, weigh-ins, kid’s art clinics, Fashion Show Spectacular, celebrity chef competition, awards ceremony and more, as well as “Spectra,” The Wharf’s Sound Light Spectacular, each night. Reel to www.thewharfmarina.com/bmgc for all the details.

Reel in big fish during three Mobile Big Game Fishing Club (MBGFC) tournaments during the summer at Orange Beach Marina with the 15th Annual MBGFC Billfish Limited Tournament July 25-27, 37th Annual MBGFC Ladies Tournament Aug. 1-3 and 47th Annual MBGFC Labor Day Invitational Aug.29 to Sept. 1. Fishing fans are invited to check out the weigh in action associated with each tournament, and avid anglers are encouraged to enter the competition. For more information about each event, including registration, visit www.mbgfc.org.

Step back in time during the Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay and Siege of Fort Morgan from Aug. 1-3 at Fort Morgan State Historic Site. This weekend event is set to include artillery firings, reenactments, period music, special exhibits and much more. For more information on this event and all the fort has offer, visit www.fortmorgan.org.

Based on the 1951 Disney film and Lewis Carroll novels, the South Baldwin Community Theatre proudly presents Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. as part of its Youth Artists Series. Check out this musical adaption of the timeless classic on Aug. 1-2 and 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.sbct.biz.

Flora-Bama’s tribute to the Woodstock era, Sandstock, is set for Aug. 9 beginning at noon with tunes of the time. Attendees are encouraged to don hippie threads to receive peace sign beads while supplies last. Groove to www.florabama.com for more information.

Get ready for one of Southeast Tourism Society’s top 20 events, Thunder On The Gulf. This year, powerboat race fans are invited to see the action unfold on the waters of Orange Beach for the Flora-Bama Shootout on Aug. 22 at 1 and 3 p.m. and in Pensacola, Florida for the Inaugural Thunder Run Super Boat Grand Prix on Aug. 23 at 1 and 3 p.m. Other events surrounding the weekend include live entertainment, boat parade, golf tournament, motorcycle ride, locals fest, FanFest and more. For all the details, visit www.thunderonthegulf.com.

For more information on this family beach destination, visit www.gulfshores.com or www.orangebeach.com.  

xxx

Photos:
Download: http://bit.ly/1mGx3HB
Caption: The 10th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, featuring more than 50 hot air balloonists from across the country, takes place June 13-14 in Foley, Alabama.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

Download: http://bit.ly/1hAB8oK
Caption: Deemed one of Southeast Tourism Society’s top 20 events, Thunder on the Gulf, a powerboat racing extravaganza, will rock the waters of Orange Beach, Alabama on Aug. 22 and Pensacola, Florida on Aug. 23 with additional events surrounding the weekend.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

Media Contact:
Kim Chapman • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
kchapman@gulfshores.com • GulfShores.com/Media
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4625 (direct) • 251-752-8448 (cell)

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the Cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about the whole different state of discovery on Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand, visit either www.gulfshores.com or www.orangebeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (2012-2016).