ANNUAL EVENTS Alabama’s largest county has no shortage of events, parades, shows and concerts. Whether you’re viewing fireworks from a condo balcony, experiencing the buck and throw of the Jennifer Claire Moore Rodeo or galloping participants at Polo at the Point, testing your body’s endurance at the Delta Dash or tasting some of the finest cuisine at Flavors of the South, this county abounds with adventure for all ages. This is not an exclusive list and may be subject to change. For more information on events and things to do, go to gulfcoastmedia.com/calendar.
l JANUARY
- SOUTH BALDWIN
NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR BEAR DIP Ring in the new year by taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico, and enjoy black-eyed peas, cornbread and ham afterward. » Jan. 1, 2023; noon; Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar, Orange Beach » Free admission » FloraBama.com
FOLEY’S ANNUAL SNOWBIRD COFFEE Free coffee and doughnuts, welcome packets and prizes; learn about Foley attractions and businesses.
» Jan. 10, 2023; 9 a.m.-noon; Foley Civic Center » Free admission » 251-943-1300
FLORA-BAMA SUPER CHILI COOK-OFF Benefits American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
» Saturday before Super Bowl; Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar, Orange Beach » Tasting tickets are $2 each or six for $10 » 251-980-5118; info@florabama. com
l FEBRUARY MARDI GRAS DATES
» 2023 - Feb. 21 » 2024 - Feb. 13 » 2025 - March 4 _________________________________________
- EASTERN SHORE
ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES’ ANNUAL CHILI FOR CHARITY » Late February/Early March; Check website for future dates, times, and locations » BaldwinEMI.org _________________________________________
- SOUTH BALDWIN
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION » Date TBA; Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen’s Market, Foley » Free admission
ORANGE BEACH SPORTS ASSOCIATION SEAFOOD FESTIVAL AND CAR SHOW Raises funds for youth baseball,
softball and T-ball.
hear, touch, taste and experience.
» Late February; The Wharf Event Center in Orange Beach » Free admission » OBParksAndRec.com
» March 11-12, 2023; Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach » Free admission » OrangeBeachArtsFestival.com
l MARCH
THE WHARF BOAT & YACHT SHOW
- CENTRAL BALDWIN COTTONTAIL EXPRESS Ride a steam train to visit the Easter Bunny, enjoy an egg hunt, mini train ride, petting zoo and pony rides, hay rides, concession stand and café, bounce house and Peep cannon.
» Weekends starting late Marchlate April 2023; Check website for future dates and times; Wales West RV Resort and Light Railway, Silverhill » 888-569-5337; WalesWest.com _________________________________________
- EASTERN SHORE FAIRHOPE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL More than 230 fine arts and crafts exhibitors, live local entertainment and festival food. » Downtown Fairhope » Free admission » 251-229-1874; FairhopeArts AndCraftsFestival.com
ANNUAL OUTDOOR ART SHOW View and shop art of all mediums from artists near and far.
» Mid-March; Check the website for future dates and times; downtown Fairhope » 251-928-2228; ESArtCenter.com
SPRING FEVER CHASE Follows a scenic course along the Bay and through neighborhoods of Fairhope. Benefits local schools and children’s fitness programs. » Mid-March; North Bayview Avenue and Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope » ThomasHospital.com; 251-279-1684 _________________________________________
- SOUTH BALDWIN
ORANGE BEACH FESTIVAL OF ART A juried art show of visual, performing, musical and culinary arts with more than 90 artists working in a dazzling variety of media; festival-goers always have plenty to see,
50 Big Beautiful Baldwin • 2022-23
» Mid-March 2023; The Wharf, Orange Beach » WharfBoatShow.com
BBQ & BLUES COOK-OFF Featuring a barbecue competition open to backyard and professional teams. This family fun event includes barbecue tasting, live entertainment and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation. » Early March 2023; Heritage Park, Foley » FoleyBBQandBlues.net
ELBERTA GERMAN SAUSAGE FESTIVAL The bi-annual festival offers German-heritage inspired sausage, along with other foods, entertainment and craft vendors. » Town Park, Elberta » Free admission » ElbertaFire.com
l APRIL
MONROEVILLE LITERARY FESTIVAL Every spring Alabama’s literary community gathers to celebrate the state’s rich literary heritage at the Monroeville Literary Festival, formally the Alabama Writers Symposium. Some of Alabama’s most celebrated writers and scholars lead discussion sessions, readings and workshops on themes ranging from Literary Gumbo to Murder, Mystery and Mayhem and everything in between. » Check the website for details; Monroeville » MonroevilleLiteraryFestival.com _________________________________________
- NORTH BALDWIN
OLD TIME COUNTRY FESTIVAL More than 20 featured exhibits, including tractor and engine displays and blacksmith demonstrations. Wagon rides, pony rides and a petting zoo for children, and live music throughout the day. » Bicentennial Park, Stockton
» Free admission » 251-580-1897 _________________________________________
- EASTERN SHORE
DELTA WOODS AND WATERS EXPO Presentations, exhibitions, interactive displays by experienced outdoorsmen, hands-on activities for children and adults. » Late April 2023; 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Spanish Fort » deltawoodsandwatersexpo.com » 251-626-4884
EARTH DAY MOBILE BAY Mobile Bay’s annual celebration of environmental stewardship of the state’s gulf coast and bay waters. » Fairhope Municipal Pier Park » EarthDayMobileBay.org
BALD EAGLE BASH Live music, seafood cooked by local chefs. Benefits Weeks Bay Foundation. Held annually on Earth Day.
» Tonsmiere Resource Center under the U.S. 98 Bridge on Fish River » $40 pre-order, $45 at the door; children under 10, free » BaldEagleBash.com; 251-990-5004
BALDWIN COUNTY HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION’S SPRING TOUR OF HOMES Tour beautiful homes all over Baldwin County. » Late April » Spring.BCHBA.com _________________________________________
- CENTRAL BALDWIN
BALDWIN COUNTY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL More than 175 arts and crafts exhibitors, carnival with children’s games, antique car show, live music, fresh strawberries and strawberry shortcake.
» Early April 2023, check website for dates; Loxley Municipal Park » Free admission » BaldwinCountyStrawberryFestival.org _________________________________________
- SOUTH BALDWIN
BAMA COAST CRUISIN’ Enjoy live music while viewing cars, old and new, along the Intracoastal Waterway. Swap meets, vendors, door prizes and cash drawings also included. » April 27-29, 2023; The Wharf,
GulfCoastMedia.com
