Alabama is a state with a terrific food scene that sets it apart. People come far and wide to Alabama to get a taste of the state’s famed barbecue cooking, soul food, and Alabama white sauce. But one part of Alabama’s food offerings that can’t be missed is its incredible seafood. Along the Alabama Gulf Coast, you’ll find some of the tastiest seafood in the country. The delicious seafood of this region is celebrated in one of Alabama’s best festivals every year: the National Shrimp Festival. This year, the festival is making its return.
Like many other major events, the pandemic heavily disrupted the National Shrimp Festival. This proud Alabama tradition has gone on uninterrupted for decades, but the pandemic led to two straight cancellations in 2020 and 2021. However, after an extended wait, the National Shrimp Festival will make its much-anticipated return and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in style.
The National Shrimp Festival is held in Gulf Shores, one of the Alabama Gulf Coast’s gems. This city has incredible beaches, a proud seafood legacy, and a top-notch tourism industry. That makes it the perfect setting for an event like the National Shrimp Festival. The festival will run from October 6th-9th and will be at the intersection of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard.
The National Shrimp Festival is a massive event with many different features, but its most significant highlight is its food. Shrimp is the centerpiece of this event, so lovers of this crustacean will find a massive number of shrimp dishes. Whether you like shrimp boiled, fried, in a pasta, in a stew, or in any other type of dish, chances are you can find an incredible shrimp meal here.
The food boardwalk at this event has other options for those that want to sample different flavors. There are additional seafood meals with crab, crawfish, and more, but there are also vegetarian options and festival classics. The dessert options are incredible, so leave some room after the main course.
The National Shrimp Festival also offers great entertainment options. The event has multiple stages that will host local and national musicians performing in genres like country, rock, and jazz. The festival presents musicians that put on a big spectacle, so get ready to dance and work up an appetite for more food.
The National Shrimp Festival is intended to be fun for the whole family, and it implements activities and entertainment to keep younger audiences engaged. The Children’s Activity Village has hosted activities, arts and crafts, games, and more. In previous years, the village has had rock walls and bungee trampolines, so a fun time is a near guarantee.
The National Shrimp Festival is an excellent event for shopping and art as well. A fine arts market will feature work from talented artists from across the state and country. With paintings, sculptures, photography, and more, attendees can browse for the perfect new piece to take home. There is a retail marketplace for shopping local brands too.
The sand sculpture contest is also one of the more exciting events at this festival. This is a family-friendly event that attendees can enter to win several cash prizes and trophies.
If you are looking for the perfect way to spend a day on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, you can’t do much better than the National Shrimp Festival. This event has it all, with great seafood, live performances, family activities, and art showcases. With festive energy and much to see, this year’s iteration is a long-awaited comeback for a classic Alabama tradition.
