13 Festivals to Catch this Fall

Summer may be our favorite time of year, but Fall is surely the next best thing.

This Fall, the Gulf Coast has a LONG list of Festivals in the works. Plan a Fall Break vacation and enjoy one of these awesome parties right here at the beach! 

1. Top of the Hops @ The Wharf  August 13

    Whether you want to learn more about the craft beer industry, or you just enjoy drinking beer of any kind, Top of the Hops will be a great time! General Admission tickets include a 2 oz sampling mug that reserve the right to unlimited samples of over 150 craft beers. Ryan Balthrop and John Cook will perform and corn hole boards will be scattered around the area. Don't forget to bring a designated driver! GA tickets begin at $40 and Designated Drivers are only $15. 

2. 8th Annual Elderberry Festival  August 13 

      The Elderberry is a lowland weed that covers Baldwin County, but it is often used in folk remedies and tasty treats! The Fairhope Museum of History will host this event that includes history lessons on the berry as well as a cooking competition for jams, pies and more. Taste the sweet side of the Gulf Coast and enjoy some free Family Fun at the Elderberry Festival. 

3.  Bulls on the Beach September 9 - 10

       Saddle up Cowboys and Cowgirls and come on down to the Flora-Bama line for a rockin' rodeo good time! This fun festival weekend is loaded with bull riding, good music, and a weekend on the beach. Tickets are $25 for adults 18 and older, and $15 for ages 7-17. All children 6 and under get in free! 

4. The Wharf Uncorked Food + Wine Festival  September 15 - 17

      What better way to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation than with a glass half full? This three day event will feature over 150+ wines to sample and even purchase. Local chefs will battle it out in a chef showdown cooking competition. Other things to look forward to are a silent auction and a Yacht walk. 

5. Shindig on the Sand  October 1  

      Over 200 musicians will ride on down to Flora-Bama for their very own music festival Shindig in the Sand. There is only a $5 cover after 5 p.m. and listening space is available on land or by boat! Choose your seat and party with the whole family until the sun goes down.  Proceeds from this event will go toward Gulf Coast Musicians Health Care. 

6. The 13th annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest October 5-8 

    Explore the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail on foot or by float. As birds fly south for the winter, they always make sure to stop to enjoy the beach! Well, maybe not for the beach, but this is definitely a hot spot for migration. This is an excellent time to add a great variety of species to your life list. Free hands-on activities are available for kids of all ages at the Faulkner State Community College grounds as well as exhibits, artists, and vendors. 

7.  5th Annual Alabama Festival of Flavor  October 8

       The streets of Historic Downtown Foley will be bursting with flavor from locally gown produce and ingredients! Show some love for local and regional flavors all brought to you by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Stroll through the streets sipping elegant wine or craft beer while also savoring the food crafted with intention by local and regional restaurants. Be sure to stop by the Game Day tent to catch up on the latest score of your favorite team! Foodies unite in the Foodie Fix zone with tickets starting at $1! General Admission tickets for the rest of the festivities are $15 and $25 for VIP. 

8. 45th Annual National Shrimp Festival October 13 - 16 

      This festival just might be one of the most anticipated events on the Gulf Coast. Over the three days, events will range from athletics to artistry with enough to do that you won't want to leave at the end of the night! Athletes come together for a golf tournament supporting education, a 5k or 10k. Most importantly, don't forget to taste the wonderful outcomes of the restaurant shrimp cook-off all professionally seasoned by Zatarans. 

9. The Original German Sausage Festival  October 29  

      Hosted by the flaming hot Elberta Fire Department, this festival will bring you the best sausage in Baldwin County. The proceeds from this fest will go towards overall town improvement, not just the fire department. Enjoy Elberta's famous sausage and sauerkraut while enjoying entertainment for the whole family.  

10. The 33rd Annual Renaisance Festival Gatalop 33  October 29

      The Barony of Osprey will present life in the Middle Ages. Knights in shining armor will storm around the castle and Lords and Ladies will glide around the courtyard engaging with artists and town merchants. This event is not only educational on another life, but an unforgettable experience for the entire family. 

11. 32nd Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival November 3 - 13

      Music City's Blue Bird Cafe favorites migrate south to take over the Gulf Coast. Over 200 songwriters will compete and perform their best songs for all of us beach bums. There is no schedule or official line up of events at this time, but more to come in the next few months! 

12. 9th Annual Oyster Cookoff at The Hangout November 4 - 6

      Slurp down fresh oysters, or show your talent while competing in the cook off! Either way you will have a blast at the beach with fine food and unlimited samples of craft brews. For just $10 the General Admission ticket will provide live music, craft samples, and a party you will never forget.  

13. 2016 Fairhope Film Festival   November 10 - 13  

      We close out our list of Fall Festivals with the Fairhope Film Festival at the geographic center of the Alabama Gulf Coast. This town has flourished as an art community for over 100 years, and they continue to grow more in love with art culture at the Film Festival each year. They invite you to their front porch right on the Bay to screen over 70 fresh films this fall.  

Published on Tuesday, August 9, 2016