The 43rd Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama is THIS WEEKEND!
Featuring dozens of events and hundreds of vendors, the 43rd Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores is prepared to face amazing weather and a HUGE crowd this weekend.
According to the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber of Commerce, the yearly festival attracts 250,000 visitors each year. With no ticket sales, festival vendors serve on a first-come-first-serve basis and expect to sell out fast.
Starting on Thursday, the festival will last through Saturday, October 11, and will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Over the years the festival has seen change. Locals would argue that it is not entirely a “Shrimp Fest”, as it used to be all about seafood…and more importantly, SHRIMP. Today, the festival aims to appeal to everyone, not just shellfish lovers. 42 food vendors serve up shrimp in more ways than the average person could try in one weekend, but there are also vendors who serve meats or shell-less fish.
With 120 arts and crafts tents, 15 artists’ displays, over 100 retail vendors, and more food than you can imagine…Shrimp Fest is a blast for the entire family!
Shrimp Fest Idol will return this year for high schoolers to participate in…mimicking the infamous television show American Idol. The winner receives $1,000 and another $1,000 is awarded to their school.
This year, the organizers of Shrimp Fest have brought in younger and more popular country artists in order to engage a younger crowd and increase the festival’s attendance.
Each year, Shrimp Fest raises funds for education. The Shrimp Fest 10k/5k run attracts roughly 700 runners annually. Perhaps the best part is that participants do not necessarily have to run; last year, many people in wheelchairs or pushing strollers also participated in order to support the education cause.
If you have recently chose to move to Birmingham and are not sure what the popular activities in the area are, check out Shrimp Fest before it ends tomorrow! If you just so happened to miss the event, be sure to go next year!