Coastal Currents - News & Events on the Gulf Coast

Football Kick-off
BeachFest 2012 (August 23-26) is a championship celebration unlike any other, featuring some of the most famous current coaches and some of the coaching legends of football. Just take a look at the list: 

Current SEC coaches:
Alabama head coach Nick Saban
Auburn head coach Gene Chizik
LSU head coach Les Miles

SEC coach legends:
Pat Dye of Auburn
Gene Stallings of Alabama
Vince Dooley of Georgia
Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee
RC Slocam of Texas A&M

Fans and alumni will gather at designated headquarter restaurants to celebrate a football-focused weekend at the shore. There will even be concerts at the beach featuring the B-52s on Friday and Dr. John on Saturday. That same weekend (for a separate admission) Lynyrd Skynyd, along with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Drake White, will perform at The Wharf Amphitheater.

FanZone fueled by BP will include family and kids’ activities such as a sand castle building competition, sports clinics with legendary SEC coaches, beach games, beach volleyball, touch football with SEC legends PLUS a 5k run and 1-mile fun run and an alumni golf scramble.

You can get in the game for this football kick-off with complimentary tickets (valued at $25) as a Meyer Vacation Rentals guest. Early fall rates are already lower than summer season, plus you can get a 3rd night FREE in condos or a 4th night FREE in houses using promo code 12SECC (valid for stays August 21-29, 2012).

Things to Do
Plan your beach time around the events listed below. Get more details at our Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Calendar of Events and Gulf Shores Music Calendar.

August

17     Jason Mraz & Christina Perry at The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach

23-26         SEC BeachFest 2012, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

24     B52s at SEC BeachFest 2012, Gulf Shores

25     Dr. John at SEC BeachFest 2012, Gulf Shores

25     Lynyrd Skynyd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Drake White at The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach

31     Cajun Labor Day w/Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns plus Wayne Toups at The Hangout, Gulf Shores

September

1       Cajun Labor Day w/Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns plus Wayne Toups at The Hangout, Gulf Shores

2       Cajun Labor Day w/Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns plus Wayne Toups at The Hangout, Gulf Shores

2       Chicago with Kool and The Gang at The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach

15     Coastal Cleanup, Gulf Coast beaches

October

4       Miranda Lambert, Lee Brice & Thomas Rhett at The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach

5–7   BayFest, Mobile

6       Heart Walk at Heritage Park, Foley

11–14        National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores

November

1–3   Angel Ride and Concert at Oak Hollow Farm, Fairhope

2–3   Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, NAS Pensacola

8–18 Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

23     Coastal Christmas Kick-off

24     Santa by the Fire at Gulf State Park Pavilion, Gulf Shores

29     City of Gulf Shores Open House, Gulf Shores

December

7       Sleigh Ride through the Backcountry Trail, Orange Beach

8          Santa Drop at Flora-Bama, Perdido Key

8          Merry Market at The Wharf, Orange Beach

8          Lighted Boat Parade, Orange Beach

Meyer is your beach vacation and concert connection.

Off the Beaten Path
When a water taxi is your ride, a whole new world opens up along the backwaters of our beautiful coast. Make your trip a leisurely one as you take your time to get to your destination. Stop along the way at dockside restaurants for a delicious seafood treat and something to quench your thirst. You could plan your route for a salad or appetizer at one locale, progress to the next waterfront restaurant for dinner and end your journey with a dessert to share (but they are so good you may not be willing to share). You’ll want to bring along your camera to capture the sunsets and serene water views as you wave to fellow boaters - and you may even pass a pod of dolphins.

Reel Fun Charters is your host for this unique mode of transportation in the picturesque waters surrounding the island. The water taxi route includes stops at Flora-Bama, SanRoc Cay, Tacky Jacks in Orange Beach, Orange Beach Marina, Shipp’s Harbour Grille at Sportsman Marina, and Outcast Marina where you can access Cobalt restaurant. Trips farther west to Bear Point, Pirate’s Cove and LuLu’s are also possible, and so are reservations for special charters.

Where the Girls Are
A fall Girlfriends Getaway is just what you need, whether you’ve packed the kids off to school or there are no kids at home. And it’s probably more economical than you imagine. First of all, you are sharing the expense of a coastal condo or beach house and you can pitch in to share the food cost, too, if you decide to use the fully equipped kitchen. Of course, your idea of a fun girls’ retreat might not include any cooking, so thankfully you have an abundance of excellent restaurants to choose from, serving fresh seafood and other delights.

As an example of the economics of this shared experience, take a look at the very reasonable cost (including rent, taxes and fees) beginning the day after Labor Day (September 4, 2012):

6 people sharing 3 nights in a 3BR, 3BA gulf-front condo = $932 ($52 per person per night)
6 people sharing 3 nights in a 3BR, 3BA waterfront (near beach) condo = $698 ($39 per person per night)

4 people sharing 3 nights in a 2-bdrm, 2-ba gulf-front condo = $740 ($62 per person per night)
4 people sharing 3 nights in a 2-bdrm, 2-ba waterfront (near beach) condo = $564 ($47 per person per night)

Imagine the possibilities:

• Spend a relaxing time swapping stories while you enjoy an adult beverage on the private balcony overlooking the beach or the bays, rivers and lagoon.
• Take a stroll along the shore or simply sit in your beach chair at water’s edge or by the pool so you’ll have easy access to a quick dip. You can even choose one of six resorts featuring a lazy river for the ultimate serenity.
• Schedule a spa day for the group to enjoy a manicure, pedicure, massage and facial. In fact, our package coordinator can assist you with setting up your spa experience (call 800-964-4653).
• Play a round of resort golf together. We can set up your tee times in advance for a fun ladies’ game at your choice of nine championship golf courses (call 800-964-4653).
• Shop, shop, shop! There’s always the exciting adventure of bargain hunting at Tanger Outlet with more than 120 stores, or finding treasures at local boutiques during their end-of-summer-season sales. A fall trip is also a perfect time to wrap up your holiday gift purchases.
• Savor the sights and sounds of coastal music. Plan your getaway to take in a great concert at The Wharf or listen to live music at a number of fun venues including The Hangout, LuLu’s, Tacky Jacks, Rhythm & Ribs, Flora-Bama and many more. Consult our music calendar for details.

So what are you waiting for? Call, text or email your friends and begin planning your fall escape to the beach.