Media Contact:

Ally Dorrough • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • GulfShores.com/Media-Room
1-800-745-SAND • 251-968-9327 (direct) • 334-752-7745 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Summer is set to sizzle in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama with a diverse lineup of events, including the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship, Hangout Music Festival, Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf and the Alabama Coastal Triathlon. The following major events take place May through early September:

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date: May 4-5
Location: Foley Soccer Complex (210 Carter Lee Way, Foley) Website: GulfCoastBalloonFestival.com
Phone: 251-943-5590
Admission: General admission is free; activity fees TBA
Details: Hot air balloon rides, balloon glow Friday and Saturday nights, World Famous Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and more

National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship
Date: May 4-6
Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach (101 Gulf Shores Parkway)
Website: GulfShores.com/NCAAWomensBeachVball.aspx
Admission: $20 for general admission day passes; $30 for courtside seating day passes; $45 for general admission all-session; $75 for courtside seating all-session; $200 for NCAA Experience all-session
Details: The best teams from the fastest-growing NCAA sport will hit the sand with an 8-team bracket for double-elimination competition; all the action will air live on the ESPN family of networks

Southern Grace Dinners presented by Coastal Living and Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina
Dates:

• May 17: Steven Satterfield (fishersobm.com/southerngrace/steven-satterfield)
• June 21: Ashley Christensen (fishersobm.com/southerngrace/ashley)
• June 28: Cassidee Dabney and Roy Milner (fishersobm.com/southerngrace/cassidee-and-roy)
• July 12: David Bancroft, Adam Evans, Alex Harrell, Rob McDaniel and Robby Melvin (fishersobm.com/southerngrace/july-12-2018-chefs.php)
• July 26: Hugh Acheson (fishersobm.com/southerngrace/hugh-acheson)
• Aug. 2: Emeril Lagasse (fishersobm.com/southerngrace/emeril-lagasse)

Location: Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina (27075 Marina Road)
Website: fishersobm.com/southerngrace
Phone: 251-981-7305
Admission: Ticket prices vary per date
Details: Savor an evening with some of the most award-winning chefs in the country as Fisher’s and Coastal Living present a carefully crafted dinner series highlighting Gulf seafood, lively libations and fellowship; benefits The Fuse Project (FuseProject.org)

Orange Beach Billfish Classic
Date: May 17-19
Location: The Wharf Marina (4673 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach)
Website: OrangeBeachBillfishClassic.com
Phone: 251-402-8198
Registration: OrangeBeachBillfishClassic.com; free to watch weigh-ins
Details: Part of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series, which consists of five high-profile tournaments in the Gulf of Mexico

Hangout Music Festival
Date: May 18-20
Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach at The Hangout (101 E. Beach Blvd.)
Website: HangoutMusicFest.com
Admission: $319 for general admission; $1099 for VIP; $1699 for Super VIP; $50 for Thursday kickoff party; $50 for shuttle passes
Details: Major acts include Kendrick Lamar, The Chainsmokers, The Killers and Halsey for a weekend of music across multiple stages on the beach

C Spire Concert Series at The Wharf

• May 24: Dwight Yoakam (Event Center at The Wharf)
• May 27: Dave Matthews Band
• June 1: Riley Green (The Port at The Wharf)
• June 15: I Love the 90s Tour featuring Salt-N-Pepa with Spinderella, Rob Base, Kid N Play, Coolio, Tone Loc and Young MC
• June 23: Alan Jackson with Randy Houser
• July 26: Jason Aldean with Luke Combs, Lauren Alaina and Dee Jay Silver
• Aug. 2: Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town
• Aug. 7: Imagine Dragons with Grace Vanderwaal
• Aug. 25: Keith Urban with Kelsea Ballerini
• Sept. 30: NEEDTOBREATHE with Johnnyswim and The Rocketboys

Location: The Amphitheater at The Wharf (23325 Amphitheater Drive, Orange Beach) unless otherwise noted
Website: ALWharf.com/Amphitheater.php
Phone: 800-745-3000
Admission: Ticket prices vary per concert
Details: From mainstream country and contemporary Christian to 90s hip-hop and modern rock, The Wharf is set to welcome a variety of major acts throughout the summer

Pepsi Beach Ball Drop at The Wharf
Date: May 25
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free for general admission; fees for special activities will apply
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

LuLuPalooza
Date: May 26
Time: 11 a.m. to 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: Memorial Day weekend celebration with live music featuring local favorites Lefty Collins, Phil & Foster, Jillian Holt and Jimmy Lumpkin

Memorial Day Tribute
Date: May 26
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan State Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-7127
Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+), $4 for children (6-12), free for ages 5 and under, $18 for family (2 adults/2 children), free for active military/veterans with military ID
Details: Explore the military history of Mobile Point from the War of 1812, Civil War, WWI and WWII as site historians give special talks and uniformed interpreters bring the fort to life through period drills and artillery demonstrations at the water battery

Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo
Date: June 1-3
Location: Flora-Bama Yacht Club (17350 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Admission: $45 for adult division; $25 for youth division (12 and under); weigh-in viewing free to the public
Details: “Funnest fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast” features 28 categories with daily weigh-ins, live music and food; additional competitive angler divisions; benefits Operation ReConnect (OperationReconnect.org)

SummerTide Theatre presents: Pump Boys and Dinettes
Date: June 1-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-29
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: South Baldwin Community Theatre (2022 West 2nd St., Gulf Shores)
Website: Summertide.org
Phone: 251-968-6721
Admission: $20 for adults; $15 for children 12 and under
Details: The University of Alabama's theatre department presents the “Pump Boys” of the local gas station and their neighbors, the “Dinettes,” of the Double Cupp Diner coming together for an evening of lively country western music

Tuesday Evening Living History Tours
Date: Tuesdays in June and July
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan State Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-7127
Admission: $10 per person
Details: Historians and site staff dressed in period uniform will share about the life at the fort during its most turbulent years, and artillery and small firearm demonstrations will take place

Independence Day Street Party and Fireworks
Date: July 3
Time: 5-9 p.m. (fireworks at 8:45 p.m.)
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free for general admission; fees for special activities will apply
Details: The Wharf will present its annual family-friendly celebration with live entertainment, children’s activities, giveaways, glow-in-the-dark American flags, patriotic SPECTRA Sound & Light Spectacular and fireworks

The City of Gulf Shores Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration
Date: July 4
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Gulf State Park Pier (20800 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores)
Website: GulfShoresAL.gov
Phone: 251-968-2425
Admission: Free
Details: The city of Gulf Shores will present a fireworks display and other family-friendly activities

Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf
Date: July 10-15
Location: The Wharf Marina (4673 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach)
Website: TheWharfMarina.com/BMGC
Phone: 251-224-1900
Registration: TheWharfMarina.com/BMGC; free to watch weigh-ins
Details: "The Greatest Show in Sportfishing" includes a Triple Crown Fighting Chair Contest at the CrewFest Party, Miss Billfish beauty pageant, Billfish Boat Parade, presentation of millions of dollars in prize money and more

South Baldwin Community Theatre presents: Disney’s The Lion King Jr.
Date: Aug. 3-5, 10-12
Time: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.
Location: South Baldwin Community Theatre (2022 West 2nd St., Gulf Shores)
Website: SBCT.biz
Phone: 251-968-6721
Admission: $15 for adults; $9.95 for students
Details: The African savannah comes to life on stage depicting the timeless story of The Lion King

Commemoration of the Battle of Mobile Bay Living History Event
Date: Aug. 4
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Fort Morgan State Historic Site (110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores)
Website: Fort-Morgan.org
Phone: 251-540-5257
Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+), $4 for children (6-12), free for ages 5 and under, $18 for family (2 adults/2 children), free for active military/veterans with military ID
Details: This living history event depicts the pivotal naval battle and siege with uniformed interpreters bringing the fort to life through period drills on the fort's parade ground, artillery demonstrations at the water battery and special talks by site historians

Bulls on the Beach
Date: Sept. 7-8
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Flora-Bama (17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-483-6267
Admission: $40 for adults; $20 for teenagers
Details: Thrilling professional bull riding on the sand at the legendary beach bar; benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon
Date: Sept. 8
Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach (101 Gulf Shores Parkway)
Website: Team-Magic.com/Events/121
Phone: 615-460-9927
Details: Triathlon features a 1.5K swim in the Gulf of Mexico, 40K bike ride and 10K scenic run with stunning views of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park; a “tri-it-on” event will also take place with a 300-yard swim, 10-mile bike ride and 2-mile run; pre- and post-race activities will take place at The Hangout at the Gulf Shores Public Beach

The Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Festival
Date: Sept. 13-15
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: TheWharfUncorked.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: TBA
Details: Food and wine tastings, chef demos, live entertainment and special events benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama

Check out GulfShores.com/Events for a full event schedule or check out this article about fall festival season in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. For more information on this family beach destination, visit GulfShores.com and OrangeBeach.com. Read this blog for a schedule of winter events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach!

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Photos

Download:https://gsob.co/2qUdBNB
Caption: Hangout Music Festival takes place in Gulf Shores, Alabama May 18-20, 2018 featuring Kendrick Lamar, The Chainsmokers, The Killers and Halsey for a weekend of music across multiple stages on the beach.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

Download: https://gsob.co/2vGosj2
Caption: Fort Morgan State Historic Site in Gulf Shores, Alabama is set to host many living history events during the summer of 2018, including its Memorial Day Tribute May 26 and the Commemoration of the Battle of Mobile Bay Living History Event Aug. 4.
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 the whole different state of discovery on 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 (2012-2016).