Food, Feathered Friends and Frilly Hats in Coastal Alabama

Polo at the Point

FESTIVAL OF FLAVOR: Dishing it up in Foley

Beer, Food and Football – three of life’s most delectable pleasures! The Festival of Flavor delivers all three along with a lot of delicious fun. Saturday, October 7 is the date for the 2017 event on the streets of Old Towne Foley. READ MORE

Sharing a treat at Festival of Flavor
Food so good you can’t help but share.

POLO AT THE POINT: Hat Parade and more!

On October 15, the fun rides in with Polo at the Point at the Sonny Hill Clearwater Polo Complex in Point Clear. It comes in the form of galloping horses, fancy hats, gourmet cuisine, champagne, tailgating and garden parties, all part of the rich tradition of a world class polo match and a must-attend fall events. LEARN MORE

Polo at the Point
Fancy hats are a must for Polo at the Point. Photo courtesy of Polo at the Point.

REGIONAL VIEW: Alabama Coastal Birdfest

Birds of a feather will be flocking together for the ultimate bird lover’s festival, the 14th Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest on October 4-7. Grab your binoculars and join us for a weekend of bird-watching delights. READ MORE

Great Blue Heron on Mobile Bay. Photo credit: Facebook/Alabama Coastal BirdFest, Debbie Watkins
Great Blue Heron on Mobile Bay. Photo credit: Facebook/Alabama Coastal BirdFest, Debbie Watkins

WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Food as sport at the World Food Championships! In Orange Beach November 10 – 12, more than 400 professional chefs and home cooks will compete for the ultimate food crown and a share of $300,000.

Food as sport makes us all winners at the World Food Championships.  Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.
Food as sport makes us all winners at the World Food Championships.  Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.

 

Sure, that prize money is nice, but the World Food Championships also serve as a springboard for many future culinary stars. Since it started in 2012 the competition has helped to launch 30 TV food stars and the cumulative prize money has totaled more than $1.5 million. In food terms, that’s a lot of cheddar!

Throughout the multi-day event you can drool over events for BBQ, burgers, bacon, chili, seafood, dessert and more. Check out the schedule and plot your course.

Caption: Food as sport makes us all winners at the World Food Championships.  Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.

BARGAIN HUNTER’S THRIFT TRAIL  

A shopping trip that comes with bragging rights? You can get your boast on when you discover Foley’s Bargain Hunter’s Thrift Trail.

Rows and rows. Stacks and stacks. Book Exchange in Foley is a must-stop on the Bargain Hunter’s Thrift Trail. Photo courtesy of Book Exchange.
Rows and rows. Stacks and stacks. Book Exchange in Foley is a must-stop on the Bargain Hunter’s Thrift Trail. Photo courtesy of Book Exchange.

 

It’s that smile on your face when you find the right size at the consignment shop. A brand name for a bargain price. It’s getting that must-play game for your kids without breaking your entertainment budget. It’s getting lost for hours among rows and rows of books. And it’s a flea market where you never know what you’ll find and that’s the whole point of going.

Find all these and more in Foley on the Bargain Hunter’s Thrift Trail.

MOBILE’S GREEK FEST

OPA! Are your taste buds ready to travel? Mobile’s Greek Fest will take them on a flavor excursion October 19 – 21 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Celebrate Greek culture and food at Greek Fest in Mobile, October 19 – 21. Photo courtesy of Greek Fest.
Celebrate Greek culture and food at Greek Fest in Mobile, October 19 – 21. Photo courtesy of Greek Fest.

 

As you browse the shops you’ll be greeted with the tempting aromas of gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, pastitso and more. Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it all. Just point and enjoy. But save room for dessert at the pastry shop with baklava, kataifi, koulourakia and many more sweet treats.

Thirsty after all that great food? The Fest features Greek coffee, beer and wine. There’s a reason we say OPA! It’s to celebrate life!

29TH ANNUAL JUBILEE FESTIVAL OF ARTS

Celebrate art with the enthusiasm of a Mobile Bay Jubilee! The 29th Annual Jubilee Festival is September 23-24 in Daphne. READ MORE

Celebrate art with the enthusiasm of a Mobile Bay Jubilee! The 29th Annual Jubilee Festival is September 23-24 in Daphne. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
The 29th Annual Jubilee Festival is September 23-24 in Daphne. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.

 

DAUPHIN ISLAND ART TRAIL

More than 50 artists will gather for the Dauphin Island Art Trail on October 14. Spread across 10 locations, it is your chance to discover amazing local talent and even win prizes.

Funky Yard Art and more discoveries at the Dauphin Island Art Trail. Photo courtesy of Dauphin Island Art Trail.
Funky Yard Art and more discoveries at the Dauphin Island Art Trail. Photo courtesy of Dauphin Island Art Trail.

 

The Trail will feature popular artists including Joe Sheffield, Dena McKee, Kathy Jones, Stig Marcussen, Sue Cox, Eliza Coral, Audie Stanfill Jr., Freddie Blache and Jimmy Stroud. If you are familiar with their works, you know you are in for a treat. If you don’t know their work, this is a great event to learn about a lot of artists.

Free shuttle rides will help you get to the locations. And the shuttle stops at the Ferry, making a visit from the Fort Morgan side of the bay very convenient. Learn more on the Trail’s Facebook page.

KAYAKING: NORTH BALDWIN

Autumn means it is time to enjoy cooler temps and the great outdoors. One of the best ways to explore Coastal Alabama is by kayak, and one of the best areas is North Baldwin County.

Follow the Bartram Canoe Trail to explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Photo courtesy of North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.
Follow the Bartram Canoe Trail to explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Photo courtesy of North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

 

As you paddle along you can see rare and endangered plants and animals as you navigate the cypress-tupelo swamps, rivers, streams and bayous. Land-based and floating platform campsites are available for those looking for an extended experience.

Learn more from the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

________________

Upcoming Events