| Exercise your appetite, dust off your dancing shoes, | | | | all the territory. |
| and shimmy up to your shopping bags at the National | | | | And then there's the music - a crucial part of what |
| Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. | | | | makes this festival so unique. This part of the Gulf |
| Southern Living readers rank it among the South's top | | | | Coast is known for its local and regional musical talent, |
| 10 festivals, and the Southeast Tourism Society calls it | | | | and the Shrimp Festival celebrates them all with more |
| one of this October's top 20 events. You should call it | | | | than 30 live acts performing throughout the weekend. |
| your perfect easing-out-of-summer, easing-into-fall | | | | From blues and acoustic performers to national |
| family getaway. | | | | showstoppers like classic rock legends Foghat and |
| With the kids back in school and schedules | | | | country crooner Lee Ann Womack, there's something |
| accelerating, opportunities for a final beach vacation | | | | for everyone, and plenty of new artists to discover. |
| are slipping away. Make your last trip one to | | | | Outside the festival gates, there's still plenty to do in |
| remember by heading to the Alabama Gulf Coast | | | | Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. October is among the |
| October 8-11 for a festive weekend of surf, sun, and | | | | most beautiful times of year along the Gulf Coast, with |
| seafood. | | | | clear skies and low humidity providing welcome relief |
| Held each year during the second full weekend in | | | | from summer heat, while still allowing sunbathers to |
| October, the National Shrimp Festival has been a | | | | enjoy sugar-sand beaches and warm Gulf waters. |
| Pleasure Island fixture since 1971, when the first | | | | From deep sea fishing and dolphin cruises to a national |
| celebration attracted about 20 artists and 1,500 visitors | | | | wildlife refuge, world-class golf, shopping, and luxury |
| to what was then a sleepy fishing village. This year, | | | | spas, you won't have trouble passing the time. |
| more than 300,000 locals and visitors are expected to | | | | Other worthwhile events include Saturday's early |
| attend this four-day food and fun fest presented by | | | | morning 10K run/walk along the beach. Open to adults |
| Zatarain's Cajun-style food, devouring thousands of | | | | and children, it's a great way to mingle with the locals, |
| pounds of Alabama wild shrimp and other southern | | | | enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, and counteract |
| delicacies cooked up every which way. It's heaven on | | | | some of the weekend's indulgences. |
| earth for foodies of all stripes with fresh, local | | | | When making your travel plans, take your pick among |
| ingredients taking center stage. | | | | island accommodations including full-service RV parks |
| After filling your stomach, you'll want to fill your | | | | and campgrounds, luxe resorts, high-rise condos, hotels, |
| shopping bags with unique finds from the open-air | | | | motels, and private beach cottages. First-timers and |
| marketplace featuring more than 300 fine art, retail, | | | | returning visitors take note: book your |
| and arts and crafts vendors from across the United | | | | accommodations well in advance, as the weekend is |
| States. It's an ideal chance to get a head start on your | | | | typically a complete sell-out. |
| holiday shopping list. And don't leave town without an | | | | For folks sticking closer to home, the Shrimp Festival |
| official Shrimp Festival poster, a collector's item | | | | makes a great day trip for those heading in from |
| created by a different artist each year that often sells | | | | Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana, or from points east |
| out quickly. | | | | like the Northwest Florida towns of Pensacola, Fort |
| But this is a family event, right? So what's here for the | | | | Walton Beach, or Destin. Wherever you're coming |
| kids? The coastal communities of Gulf Shores and | | | | from, you'll find continuous shuttle service to the festival |
| Orange Beach have earned a reputation as a great | | | | from spots all over the island. And at just $1 per |
| vacation spot for families, and the Shrimp Festival | | | | person each way, you'll save time and gas while |
| celebrates that status with a sprawling Children's | | | | avoiding parking hassles. |
| Activity Village. Featuring free arts and crafts, a real | | | | With free admission, magnificent weather, and |
| F-4 cockpit from the National Naval Aviation Museum, | | | | unbeatable people-watching, there's no better place to |
| touchable marine life from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, | | | | spend an early autumn beach weekend than the |
| a sand sculpture contest, face painting, a climbing wall, | | | | National Shrimp Festival. |
| and more, children will have a wonderful time covering | | | | |