The Beach is Calling

Throw a Few Fish at the Annual Mullet Toss and Beach Party

If you’re looking for a little something different to do on your next visit to the Gulf Coast, head down to the Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar April 27 to 29, 2012 for a competition all its own. In its 28^th year, the annual “Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party” will hit the sand for a weekend of friendly competition and live entertainment.

Located on the Alabama/Florida state line, the star attraction consists of competitors throwing a mullet from Alabama across the state line into Florida. More than two decades of games have proven that tossing a slippery, wet fish more than just a few feet can be a difficult, yet entertaining task, and champions come back year after year to defend their title. The children’s toss will begin at 10 a.m. daily and the adults toss is at noon. Admission is $10 for ages 21 and older and $15 for those under 21.

The weekend of events doesn’t stop with the fish toss. Throughout the three days, there will be three stages of live music, beach games and great food.  The annual event is a fundraiser by the Flora-Bama for local youth charities, including an education and prevention program by the Community Drug and Alcohol Council. Each year, the event generates more than $20,000 in donations.

If tossing mullet isn’t for you, there are plenty of other activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. From charter fishing to shopping or just simply relaxing on the beach, come on down and enjoy what the Gulf Coast has to offer you.

2012 Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash

If you have been thinking about a visit to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area, have we got good news for you! For two weeks you have the opportunity to enter the 2012 Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash, sponsored by BP for the chance to win a 4-day, 3-night vacation package for four in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana or Mississippi.

The contest started January 2, and is a two-week celebration of Gulf Coast seafood, culture and tourism in conjunction with the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 3^rd. It will include Gulf Coast seafood at official Allstate Sugar Bowl and Allstate BCS National Championship galas and pre-game parties; promotional announcements during the games; vacation giveaways to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana; seafood samplings for fans and media in New Orleans, and more. Locally, the Hangout will host a Beachside watch party for the big Alabama/LSU game on January 9^th.

For your chance to win, text GULFCST to 76060. Four prizes will be given away including a trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach valued at $7500. The contest concludes on January 13^th, so don’t delay. Each registrant may enter one time to win.  For more rules and information, click here.

 

 

We are on SCVNGR!

Welcome to the beach, smartphone users! We know how much you enjoy your apps  - and we are not talking about fried crab claws. To enhance your visit we have put several treks on SCVNGR that showcase some of the best things to do while you are here. When you finish the treks, we encourage you visit the Orange Beach Visitors Center. When you get there, we will tally your points and award a prize based on your efforts.

Here are the treks and what to expect:

Hangout Feast and Fest focuses on the annual music festival and includes restaurants near the Hangout. Sample the fare at the Hangout, the Pink Pony Club, The Shrimp Basket, Ribs and Reds, Mikee’s Seafood, The Steamer, Crico’s Pizza and Subs, DeSoto’s Seafood, and Old World Bakery.

History Rules takes you through a tour of interesting local historic sites including Fort Morgan, the Gulf Shores Museum, Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum and the Baldwin County Heritage Museum.

Creature Feature highlights animal adventures starting at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf State Park Pier, Hugh S. Branyon Back County Trail and even Alligator Alley.

Bird is the Word walks you through the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail at Fort Morgan, The Pines and three trails in Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

GS&OB Beach Trek takes you on a tour of several beautiful public beach access points from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach.

We can’t wait to hear what you have to say about these new adventures, so be sure to check them out, check-in and let us hear from you at the visitor center. For more information, and to download SCVNGR, visit thebeachiscalling.org.

 

Free Admission To The Elberta German Sausage Festival, Saturday, October 30th.

Bring your appetite and feast on Elberta’s famous secret recipe German sausage and sauerkraut, plus filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, baked goods and so much more. Then visit the Bier Garten for a fantastic selection of imported beers. Ongoing entertainment will include the Belleview Stumpfiddle band, the North End Stompers, plus polka dancing, cloggers, German and country music. There will be 250 arts and crafts booths and many fun attractions for the kids, too.

Admission is free but a small parking fee applies. Proceeds benefit the Elberta Fire Department, the town of Elberta and local non-profit organizations. The German Sausage Festival is held in the Elberta Town Park, just north of the intersection of Main Street and State Street (Country Road 83 and US Highway 98). It’s open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but come early because they’ve been known to sell out 7,000 pounds of sausage by 3 p.m. For complete information call 251-986-5805 or visit www.sausagefest.elbertafire.com and www.gulfshores.com.

For Thrill Seekers of All Ages - The Track Recreation Center.

Jump into one of the single or double-seated karts and race the Wild Woody – a three-story track with lots of twists and turns. Onto Blaster Boats -- where water cannons give you a good soaking as you bob along in bumper boats. Experience the Skycoaster -- a 110-foot free-fall skydive that can reach speeds of 70 miles-per-hour.

Kids’ Country at The Track boasts the most rides in town for little adventurers -- the Rio Grande Train, Kiddie Karts, Rookie Karts plus a Carousel, Ferris Wheel and more. Other cool features include River Boat Adventure Mini-Golf, a state-of-the-art video arcade, and a traditional kart track with overpasses.

Located at 3200 Gulf Shores Parkway, The Track is where it's at for family fun! For complete information go to www.gulfshores.com or visit www.gulfshorestrack.com.

Adventure Island Lives Up To Its Name!

 

A five-story high erupting volcano. Go-Kart racing, bumper boats and laser tag. A state-of-the-art arcade with over 100 video games and a Max Flight Simulator. These are just a few of the family-fun attractions you'll find at Adventure Island. Enjoy mini-golf, rock-wall climbing and the Coconut Climb. Just for the little ones - the Frog Hopper, a tug boat ride and mini-go-karts for ages 5 through 9.

 

Reasonably priced for family budgets, Adventure Island is open seven days a week during the summer, from 9:30 a.m. to 12-midnight. Easy to get to, it's conveniently located at 24459 Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach. For more information go to http://www.gulfshores.com/ or visit http://www.adventure-island.com/.

Photo from Adventure Island's website.

Have A High-Flying Time on Father’s Day

The 6th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, June 18 through June 20.

This year’s festival is bigger than ever before. It’s all happening at Foley Sportspark on Highway 98, Friday, June 18th, through Sunday, June 20th. But get there early because there’s so much to do and see.

At the top of the list – hot air balloon competitions featuring 46 spectacular balloons from across the U.S.A. New for this year’s festival -- the WHATAKITE stunt show with 60-foot kites soaring through the summer sky. Dog-lovers of all ages won’t want to miss the world-famous Disc-Connected K9's Frisbee Dogs show. Other on-the-ground fun includes arts and crafts, an antique tractor display, retail shopping and a free Children’s Village.

As always, the festival will have a wide choice of great local cuisine plus a Beer & Wine Tent. Music? Of course. There’ll be live performances by the Wes Loper Band, The Andy Smith Band, BUST, Soul Monkey and Cool Change. Admission & Shuttle Service to the festival is free with three pick-up locations. And there’s limited parking on the festival grounds ($2 per vehicle, per entry).

For complete details go to: http://www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com/