Coastal Currents - News & Events on the Gulf Coast

Spring is in the Air
A walk along the shore, sharing a beautiful sunset with someone you treasure, finding a sand dollar completely intact, or sipping a refreshing beverage from your private balcony with a front-row view of sparkling waters and sugary sands; these are just a few of the joys that create lasting memories. Take in a concert, dance to the sounds of a coastal band, watch bird banding at Fort Morgan, fling a fish at Flora-Bama’s Mullet Toss, and do whatever you want for a few days, a week, or longer.

Stay an extra night FREE in March and April (promo code: 12SPR). 

CONDOS: Buy 3 nights, get 1 more night free.

HOUSES: Buy 4 nights, get 1 more night free.

(Valid for vacation stays 3/1/12 – 5/6/12.)

Spring Break activities: Your time on the coast is always shorter than you wish, so don’t waste a moment searching for entertainment options. We’ve done the research for you on our Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Calendar of Events and Gulf Shores Music Calendar. Meyer is your beach vacation and concert connection.

The Beat Goes On
Last week the initial Hangout Music Festival lineup was announced and this just increases demand for tickets. A few of the touring acts include Dave Matthews Band, Jack White, String Cheese Incident, Wilco, Skrillex, The Flaming Lips perform Dark Side of the Moon, Dispatch, Steve Winwood, Chris Cornell, STS9, Gogol Bordello, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mac Miller, Flogging Molly, Coheed & Cambria, Paul Oakenfold, G. Love and Special Sauce, and many, many more. Visit our Live Music page for details now and as future announcements are made.

It’s time to jump on the band wagon and reserve your festival accommodations and at the same time buy your 3-day Hangout Music Festival pass using promo code HMF12E-T. Ticket quantities are limited and so are island rental properties, so it really is advisable to secure both now. In fact, it’s already difficult to find rentals within walking distance, but there will once again be shuttles from various areas to deliver you to the festival entrance.

Can’t wait ’til May to feel that music beat? We completely understand, and we highly recommend a visit in mid-March to hear The Avett Brothers in concert March 16 at The Amphitheatre at The Wharf. This popular 2011 Hangout Music Festival band will be joined by Jo Jo’s Mardi Gras Band featuring John “Jo Jo” Hermann from Widespread Panic.

The very next night a large group of musicians takes the stage for the Experience Hendrix 2012 Tribute Tour to honor the guitarist, singer, songwriter and musical legend Jimi Hendrix. The list of performers includes Billy Cox, David Hildalgo & Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Jonny Lang, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Robby Krieger, Eric Johnson, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, The Slide Brothers, Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, and Mato Nanji of Indigenous.

And there’s more – see the calendar of events below for even more musical events and other happenings on the coast:

February

17         Mystical Order of Mirams Parade (6:30 p.m.); Orange Beach

17–20   Tanger Outlet President’s Day Sale; Foley

18         Mystics of Pleasure Mardi Gras Parade (5:30 p.m.); Orange Beach

21         Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade (10 a.m.); Gulf Shores

21         Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade (2 p.m.); Orange Beach

March

10         Orange Beach Festival of Art; Orange Beach

10         Eric Church at The Amphitheater at The Wharf; Orange Beach

16         The Avett Brothers at The Amphitheater at The Wharf; Orange Beach

16–18   Arts and Crafts Festival; Fairhope

17         BBQ & Blues Cook-off; Foley

17         Experience Hendrix 2012 Tribute Tour at The Amphitheater at The Wharf, Orange Beach    

24         Azalea Trail Run; Mobile

29–31   Festival of Flowers; Mobile

30–31   Spring Bird Banding; Fort Morgan

30–31   Gulf Coast Yacht & Boat Show; Orange Beach

31         German Sausage Festival; Elberta

April

1          Gulf Coast Yacht & Boat Show; Orange Beach

1          Festival of Flowers; Mobile

1–12     Spring Bird Banding; Fort Morgan

14         Aviation Day at Jack Edwards National Airport; Gulf Shores

14         Orange Beach Nautical Flea Market; The Wharf in Orange Beach

14         Baldwin County Strawberry Festival; Loxley

27–29   Interstate Mullet Toss at Flora-Bama; Alabama/Florida state line               

Wonderful Winter
Maybe you’ve never thought about coming to the coast in the winter season or even early spring. Actually, February is a very busy time for the nine championship golf courses, the restaurants usually run specials in the non-peak season, the newly opened tennis center is taking reservations, fishing is fantastic, and amusement parks are ready for action during this less crowded time of year.

The remarks below are extracted from electronic comment cards received from Meyer Vacation Rental guests who visited in January 2012 in answer to the question, “Why did you vacation with us?”

Keith from Athens, AL stayed 4 nights at Cotton Bayou – “I fish several times per year and always use Meyer for reservations. I like using Cotton Bayou so I can fish the Intracoastal when I am there.”

Dorothy from Jackson, MS stayed 3 nights at Oceania – “My 55th birthday celebration.”

Brooke from Zachary, LA stayed 4 nights at Enchanted Dunes – “Got married on the beach in Fort Morgan.”

Tonya from Middleton, TN stayed 6 nights at Gulf Shores Plantation – “We stayed there before and enjoyed the location and quietness.”

Mitchell from Modesto, CA stayed 5 nights at Beach Club – “To enjoy a relaxing vacation with a beautiful view.”

Shan from Sunset, LA stayed 3 nights at Shoalwater – “We showed our German uncle the Gulf Coast and it was closer to LA.”

Each season of the year is special in its unique way. Whether you escape to the shore for a long weekend, spend a week with the family and friends, or relax during a month-long retreat, we will provide the STAR Treatment you deserve. Check out our midweek and seasonal specials plus Hot Deals for savings throughout the year.