This was our first visit to the Zydeco and Crawfish Festival. They closed up a little early due to…read morethreats of inclement weather, which didn't really matter to us because it only took a little over an hour to see and do everything there. It's much smaller than most of the festivals around here. That's positive in a way because parking is easier. There were about 20-30 vendors set up and they had some cool and unique items for sale. My favorite local candle lady/photographer was there with her candles and wax melts. There were several people selling jewelry, paintings, and other things you typically expect to find at these kinds of events. The bands were good, but the stage was so close to a couple of the booths you could barely hear the vendors. Now for the negative... tickets for food and drinks. Are you kidding me? Everything you buy to eat or drink (except beer) is purchased with tickets, which are $1 each. We had to go look at different vendor booths, figure out what we wanted, then go buy that number of tickets. The beer is cash only and was like $5-$6 for domestic beer like Miller Lite. There were plenty of cool crawfish tables set up, but there was nowhere to wash your hands. Next year, we'll probably just eat before we go. There's room for improvement but we enjoyed it. All in all, it was worth checking out and we will go back again.

Okay this was great. Entertainment, sales booths and crawfish. Now we are northerners and I've…read morenever had crawfish but when in Rome.... lol. The people were great after impromptu how to eat crawfish I was off and running. I'm hooked I love em thanks to all the friendly people we met.

Visiting the Gulf Shores area and wanted some fresh bread and produce, so we looked up the nearest…read morefarmers market and Coastal Alabama Farmers Market popped up, open 9AM-2PM on Saturday's. Not only was everyone friendly but there were a variety of vendors and a great selection of produce, vegetables, baked goods, and more. The setup was great, very organized and clean. Well laid out. We left with fresh sourdough, jalapeño cheddar bread, lemon cake, chicken salad, seafood salad, cookies, micro greens, parsley, and fresh strawberries that taste so sweet! We were both so glad we stopped here. And now we have lunch for the next few days!

So many great vendors. Went on a gorgeous day, got a coffee from southern cup. Picked up some super…read moresweet strawberries, a pastry bun and guava and cream cheese pastellitos

The St. Benedict German Festival, an annual event held at St. Benedict Catholic School in Elberta,…read moreAlabama, is a much anticipated gathering that brings together the local community. This celebration of German heritage and culture has taken place for over 50 years, today was the 51st, for a delightful experience for attendees of all ages. The festival was initially established in the early 1970s as a way to commemorate the rich German ancestry of many residents in the area. What started as a modest gathering has since transformed into a tradition, drawing thousands of people each year to partake in the festivities. The festival has a nice array of activities and attractions to delight and entertain its visitors. One of the main highlights of the event is the authentic German cuisine, including traditional sausages, sauerkraut, potato salad, goulash and an assortment of homemade pastries and desserts, such as strudels and kiffels. I had a big grilled brat in a bun, some excellent German potato salad and strudel, very nice!  In addition to the tasty culinary offerings, the festival has a diverse range of entertainment options. Live music performances was one of our favorites, Symone French, her second year here, encouraging festival-goers to dance and sing along. Arts and crafts vendors showcase their unique wares, with an opportunity to purchase unique local area items and support local artisans. For the youngsters, the Kids Village offers an engaging and fun-filled experience with a variety of games, face painting, bounce houses, and other activities. Meanwhile, adults can partake in the beer and wine garden, sampling a selection of imported German beers and other refreshing beverages. Over the years, the St. Benedict German Festival has evolved to become more than just a celebration of heritage; it is now a symbol of community spirit and unity. The event serves as a significant fundraiser for the St. Benedict Catholic School, with proceeds supporting various educational programs and initiatives. Bottom line: The St. Benedict German Festival in Elberta, AL, has successfully preserved and promoted the town's unique cultural identity for more than five decades. Its continued success demonstrates the importance of communal gatherings in fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and preserving traditions.  https://saintbenedict.net/news-events/german-festival/ https://www.facebook.com/StBenedictGermanFestival/

What an amazing event! The WFC is a Las Vegas transplant here in Orange Beach, and a foodie's dream…read moreweek! All in all, the event is well-run and draws a nice crowd. There's literally food (and really good food) EVERYWHERE, from top chefs all over the country-- with a few international chefs sprinkled in-- competing in different food categories for cash prizes, TV appearances, and the Golden Plate! I was fortunate to judge a few categories, Meet Bo Jackson, and also host a Yelp for Biz Owners session at the WFC this year. Great time to be alive, and leave the premises full as a tick, daily! Look forward to returning next and doing a better job of pacing myself-- it's a race, not a sprint! (lol)

Foodies from all over have assended upon Orange Beach at The Wharf to experience the championship…read morechefs doing what they love to do and that's cook, prepare and share their best creative dishes. It's a win win for every participant--the chefs are flexing and we are sampling until our heart's content. It's a food festival on steroids. Our swag bags are overflowing with great useful items. The sponsors and vendors were very generous. They are sharing their inventions, wares, and products and interesting synopses about how they got started and how great their items are. The lively music sounds great in background. The VIP Lounge is also incredible with chandeliers, plush couches and sectionals and beautiful furnishing compliments of Sea la vie Designs. The Pepsi bottomless pit beverage station is a fabulous feature as well.

a waste of our time. to start with the festival was to start on Thursday 10a.m. --- very few food…read morevenders which were not prepared at all. We waited for a soft shell fried crab sandwich for $25.00 and got our money back after 20 minutes. very little shrimp. a lot of venders with the same old stuff -- not impressed. came here as part of our vacation - won't do that again. beautiful area but no hotels on beach -- have to go to Orange Beach for a hotel on the beach. Been to many seafood festivals and this ranks about the worse -- totally overrated.

Well we visited Gulf Shores for the first time, and it was the weekend of their Shrimpfest. There…read morewas so much to look at. Yet I still did not find something unique. Which was disappointing, but well worth a walk through. The shrimp was good. I found a huge plate of Cajun shrimp for $10. Yummy! It helped that I researched the event online, and discovered the shrimp was all local Alabama shrimp. The city itself did an excellent job with crowd control. I don't know if I would make the trip for it on its own, but it was worth a couple hours off the beach. They also had a great stage and bands playing.

This just wrapped up last night here in Gulf Shores and it's a really big deal for the local…read moreeconomy. I volunteered to walk the beach for the turtles so didn't have to buy a ticket. The festival was first held in 2010 and has since become a major draw for music lovers of all ages. The three-day event takes place on the beach in Gulf Shores, with multiple stages set up to showcase a wide range of musical genres. Past performers at the festival have included some of the biggest names in music, such as Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Zac Brown Band, John Legend, Ben Harper, The Black Crowes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Mumford & Sons, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Dave Matthews Band, and Steve Winwood. In 2009, shortly before the festival's opening, the Gulf Coast was hit by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which impacted its attendance and general public perception of this area. The festival was attended by 13,000-15,000 people per day in 2010. But it was a huge hit and it's gotten to be a local phenom, as music festivals go, and there's 40,000 tickets sold every year and they sell out within hours, yeah pretty darn big. Ticket prices are a bit pricey $349 for General Admission, $569 for GA Plus, $1,299 for VIP and $2,399 for Super VIP. The Hangout Music Festival is one of the premier music events in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Held annually in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the festival attracts thousands of music fans from around the country who come to enjoy a diverse lineup of performers, as well as the beautiful beach setting and festive atmosphere. In addition to the music, the festival features a variety of food and drink vendors, art installations, and other activities to keep attendees entertained throughout the weekend. The festival is also known for its unique amenities, such as the "Hangout Hammocks" where attendees can relax and enjoy the music from a comfortable vantage point, and the giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the beach and surrounding area. One of the things that sets the Hangout Music Festival apart from other music events is its focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. The festival has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental impact, such as using compostable plates and utensils, providing recycling bins throughout the festival grounds, and partnering with local organizations to promote conservation efforts in the Gulf Shores area. Overall, the Hangout Music Festival offers a fun and unique experience for music fans of all ages. With its beautiful beach setting, diverse lineup of performers, and focus on sustainability, it's no wonder that the festival has become such a beloved event in the Gulf Coast region. Whether you're a die-hard music fan or just looking for a fun weekend getaway, the Hangout Music Festival is definitely worth checking out. The big downside for us locals are the influx of a lot of visitors from all over. Many of us go into a self imposed hibernation during the 3 day invasion. Roads and resident parking, as well as several restaurants are closed plus the traffic can be frustrating but it's a bihlg deal and we support tourism.

Kickass festival with a great location on the beach. Although they don't let you get in the water!…read more Liability risk I guess. We went with a big group, and even though the lineup wasn't my favorite we had a good time.

Ballyhoo festival kicks off the festival season here on Alabama's Gulf Coast every year with a…read morefocus on fine arts and cultural exchange from all across the southeast, local seafood, and lots of live music! It's a great event for young and old so bring the whole family and you can bring your puppies too! The location was formerly at Waterway Village but moved to Gulf State Park at Lake Shelby 2 years ago. In my 2020 review I said "I wasn't impressed because the organization seemed lacking, couldn't find many of their signs and, in my opinion, they could do a whole lot better better at their communications, maybe they'll do better next year." They have live music both Saturday and Sunday with lots of booths almost exclusively from local artists. The only downside that the state park venue is alcoholic beverages are not allowed there otherwise it's all a big step up. There were signs and ads everywhere around the area with a nice social media push, 9 food trucks and assorted programs on both days and terrific organization and was very enjoyable. On Saturday we were there for the tribal dancing with the Poarch Creek Indians. They are a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans and are descendants of a segment of the original Creek Nation, which once covered almost all of Alabama and Georgia. It was an excellent demonstration with great history and information. See more at: https://www.facebook.com/PoarchBandofCreekIndians We also enjoyed live music with "Rolling in the Hay and Sunday there was the Crosby Family with bluegrass music and a fiddle and banjo competition. Bottom line: It's a good time and super way to get the family-friendly season started. Recommended!!

Packed with local artists. Beautiful location by the water. Music and food trucks added to the…read moreexperience. I only wish I had more money to spend. Deciding what to leave behind was the only negative.