Summertime and the living’s beachy in Coastal Alabama

Media Contact:

Mary Sergeant • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • GulfShores.com/Media
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4605 (direct) • 251-509-3832 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – From nationally-recognized artists and collegiate athletes to fishing fanatics and history hounds, Alabama’s beaches are set to welcome thousands of visitors this summer. Below are the events happening in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from late April until early September.

Alabama Gulf Coast Slam
Date: April 20 – May 18
Time: Daily weigh-ins from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: Zeke’s Landing Marina (26610 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach) and Fort Morgan Marina (1577 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: AlabamaGulfCoastSlam.com
Phone: 251-609-1555
Registration: Prices vary; see website for details
Details: The inaugural tournament plans to be the ultimate fishing experience for saltwater anglers of all ages; tournament is open to recreational (on a charter boat) and private (on a personal boat) anglers and regular species catch limits apply

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date: May 3-4
Time: 2-10 p.m.
Location: Foley Soccer Complex (998 W. Section St., Foley)
Website: GulfCoastBalloonFestival.com
Phone: 251-943-5590
Admission: Free
Details: Featuring more than 40 hot air balloons from across the country; activities include tethered rides each night, Balloon Glows, entertainment, carnival attractions, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and the Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show at various times

NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship
Date: May 3-5
Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach (101 Gulf Shores Parkway)
Website: NCAA.com/Championships/Beach-Volleyball/NC
Admission: $20 for general admission day pass; $30 for courtside seating day pass; $50 for general admission all-session; $80 for courtside seating all-session; $225 for NCAA Experience all-session
Details: Watch the top eight women’s collegiate beach volleyball teams in the country battle it out on the Gulf Shores Public Beach for the fourth year in this NCAA-sanctioned event; youth and adult tournaments and clinics will also be taking place throughout the weekend

C Spire Concert Series at The Wharf

• May 9: Alabama with The Charlie Daniels Band
• May 10: Bryan Adams
• May 11: Jim Gaffigan
• May 25: Thomas Rhett with Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins
• June 6: Hootie and the Blowfish with Barenaked Ladies
• June 15: Dierks Bentley with Jon Pardi, Tenille Townes and Hot Country Knights
• July 3: Tedeschi Trucks Band with Blackberry Smoke and Shovels & Rope
• July 5: Rascal Flatts with Jimmie Allen
• July 19-20: Luke Bryan with Cole Swindell, Jon Langston and DJ Rock
• Aug. 17: Little Big Town with Midland
• Aug. 20: Pentatonix with Rachel Platten
• Aug. 22: Brad Paisley with Chris Lane and Riley Green
• Aug. 31: Chris Stapleton with Brent Cobb and The Marcus King Band
• Sept. 28: Lynyrd Skynyrd with Cody Jinks

Location: The Amphitheater at The Wharf (23325 Amphitheater Drive, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com/Amphitheater.php
Phone: 800-745-3000
Tickets: Ticket prices vary per concert
Details: From Grammy-nominated comedians and country stars to rock stars and jam bands, The Wharf has one of its biggest summer lineups ever

Orange Beach Billfish Classic
Date: May 17-18
Location: The Wharf Marina (4830 Main St., Orange Beach)
Website: OrangeBeachBillfishClassic.com
Phone: 251-402-8190
Registration: OrangeBeachBillfishClassic.com; weigh-in viewing free to the public
Details: One of the five high-profile fishing tournaments in the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series with more than 53 teams and 1 million dollars in prize money

Hangout Music Festival
Date: May 17-19
Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach at The Hangout (101 E. Beach Blvd.)
Website: HangoutMusicFest.com
Tickets: $259 (general admission); $1099 (VIP); and $1699 (Super VIP)
Details: Enjoy three days of live music from nationally-recognized performers, carnival rides, a roller skating rink, beach volleyball, delicious seafood and more at this annual kick off to summer; lineup includes The Lumineers, Travis Scott, Hozier, Cardi B, The 1975 and Vampire Weekend

NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship
Date: May 23-25
Location: Gulf Shores Sportsplex (19025 Oak Road W.)
Website: NAIA.org
Admission: $10 for day pass; $25 for three-day pass
Details: Watch as both male and female collegiate athletes from all over the country compete in various outdoor track & field events

Pepsi Ball Drop at The Wharf
Date: May 24
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free; extra costs to add on activities
Details: Kick off the summer season with a 5,000-beach ball drop (including a safe, child-friendly area to grab beach balls), surf simulator, bubble zone, bounce house, animals, live entertainment and prizes

Living History Memorial Day Tribute
Date: May 25
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-7202
Admission: Regular admission costs; see website for details
Details: Fort Morgan’s annual Memorial Day tribute includes a wreath laying ceremony in remembrance of the Tecumseh, living history groups spanning from the War of 1812 to WWII, guided tours, weapon demonstrations, artillery firing, and a photo gallery of WWI and WWII service members

LuLuPalooza
Date: May 25
Time: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s (200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores)
Website: LuLuBuffett.com
Phone: 251-967-5858
Admission: Free
Details: The ultimate start to summer including live music on multiple stages and family-friendly activities

Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo
Date: May 31 – June 2
Location: Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar (17401 Perdido Key Drive, Perdido Key)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Tickets: $45 for adult division; $25 for youth division (12 and under); daily weigh-ins are free to public
Details: “Every Mans” fishing rodeo features 30 categories with daily weigh-ins, live music and food; benefits Operation ReConnect (OperationReconnect.org)

20th Anniversary Art Market
Date: June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s (200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores)
Website: LuLuBuffett.com
Phone: 251-967-5858
Admission: Free
Details: Celebrate LuLu’s 20th anniversary and support the Gulf Coast Art Alliance all summer long with local art vendors, a $250 gift card raffle, birthday cake and the legendary West Indies Salad from the original Lulu’s Sunset Grill menu while it lasts

SummerTide Theatre presents: Forever Plaid
Date: June 1-28 (Tuesday-Sunday)
Time: 8 p.m. (Tuesday-Saturday); 4 p.m. (Sunday)
Location: South Baldwin Community Theatre (2022 W. 2nd St., Gulf Shores)
Website: SummerTide.org
Phone: 251-968-6721
Tickets: $20 for adults; $15 for children 12 and under; $15 per ticket for groups of 10 or more
Details: The University of Alabama’s theatre department follows the journey of Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie as they form their band “Forever Plaid” before they meet a tragic ending from which they return via the holes in the ozone for one final performance

Sea, Sand & Stars Science and Nature Center Summer Schedule
Date: June 3-27 and July 8-25 (Monday-Thursday)
Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Orange Beach Elementary School (4900 S. Wilson Blvd.)
Website: SeaSandAndStars.com
Phone: 251-981-5690
Admission: $5 minimum donation per person
Details: Center open to the public for viewing; staff members will be available for guided tours, night sky presentations, IMAX-style movies in the planetarium and more

Living History Evening Tours
Date: Tuesdays in June and July
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-7127
Admission: $10 per person
Details: History comes to life as historians and staff dressed in period clothing show what it was like to live on Fort Morgan during the Civil War, WWI and WWII along with weapon demonstrations and artillery shoots

WWI Photo Gallery Living History Event
Date: July 2
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-5257
Admission: Regular admission costs; see website for details
Details: Photo galleries will be showcased that include domestic life, recreation, military training and more as well as living history participants stationed throughout the fort to answer questions

Independence Day Street Party and Fireworks
Date: July 3
Time: 5-9 p.m.; fireworks begin at 8:45 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (4830 Main St., Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free but fees for special activities will apply
Details: The Wharf is celebrating July 4th with its annual family-friendly gathering on Main Street which will include live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, prize giveaways, SPECTRA Sound & Light Spectacular, fireworks and more.

City of Gulf Shores Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration
Date: July 4
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier (20800 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores)
Website: GulfShoresAL.gov
Phone: 251-968-1174
Admission: Free
Details: The City of Gulf Shores hosts is annual July 4th fireworks display along with food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities.

Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf
Date: July 11-14
Location: The Wharf Marina (4673 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach)
Website: BlueMarlinGrandChampionship.com
Phone: 251-224-1900
Registration: BlueMarlinGrandChampionship.com; free to view weigh-ins
Details: “The Greatest Show in Sportfishing” includes the Billfish Boat Show, The Wharf Street Party, nightly weigh-ins, presentation of millions of dollars in prize money and more

Commemoration of the Battle of Mobile Bay
Date: Aug. 3
Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-7202
Admission: Regular admission costs; see website for details\
Details: Commemorate the famous Battle of Mobile Bay that happened in August 1864 with living history staff and volunteers who will perform drills and demonstrations inside the fort.

Flora-Bama Sunset Beach Concert Series with Justin Moore plus Easton Corbin
Date: Sept. 1
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar (17401 Perdido Key Dr., Perdido Key)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Tickets: $49.50 for general admission; $59.50 for sandbar pit; $89.50 for VIP
Details: End the summer with award-winning country music star Justin Moore hits the beach as part of his summer tour with Easton Corbin

Bulls on the Beach
Date: Sept. 5-7
Time: Gates open at 6 p.m.; event begins at 8 p.m.
Location: Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar (17401 Perdido Key Dr., Perdido Key)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Admission: $40 for adults and $25 for teens (weekend pass); $25 for adults and $15 for teens (daily pass)
Details: Professional bull riders on the sugar-white sand beaches on the Florida-Alabama line; mechanical bull rides available to the public for $5

Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon
Date: Sept. 7
Time: 5 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Gulf Shores Main Public Beach/Gulf Place (101 Gulf Shores Parkway)
Website: Team-Magic.com
Phone: 615-415-3520
Admission: Prices vary; see website for details
Details: Thirteenth annual Coastal Triathlon includes a 1.5K swim in the Gulf of Mexico, 40K bike ride and 10K scenic run throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park; a “try-it-on” race is also available with a 300-yard swim, 10-mile bike ride and 2-mile fun run; pre- and post-race activities will take place at The Hangout

LuLu’s 20th Anniversary Locals Party
Date: Sept. 7
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s (200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores)
Website: LuLuBuffett.com
Phone: 251-967-5858
Admission: Free
Details: Celebration will include a $250 gift card raffle, birthday cake, inflatable slides and the Crazy Sista’ Juicy Pot Roast Sandwich from the original LuLu’s Sunset Grill menu; donate a backpack full of nonperishable food to Feeding the Gulf Coast and receive a LuLu’s backpack

Visit GulfShores.com/Events for a full calendar of events. For more information on this family beach destination, visit GulfShores.com and OrangeBeach.com.

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Photos:

Download: https://gsob.co/2RiQXcN
Caption: Hangout Music Festival hits the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama May 17-19, 2019 with The Lumineers, Travis Scott, Hozier, Cardi B, The 1975, Vampire Weekend and many more.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

Download: https://gsob.co/2G4Ouym
Caption: The Blue Marlin Grand Championship takes place July 11-14, 2019 at The Wharf in Orange Beach where millions of dollars and other prizes will be award to tournament winners.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

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 Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit either GulfShores.com or OrangeBeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization.