â Sarah Kuzma , Operations Specialist, Meyer Vacation Rentals
âBring your collapsible chair! This goes best with your favorite drink, favorite band and the always-famous Cajun Pistol.ââ Thomas Willis , Guest Services, Meyer Vacation Rentals
Speaking Of The Food, Why Not Indulge A Little? âI eat the Cajun Pistols every time. The guy from LA has the better ones. Then, I eat the homemade pork skins and cracklings. I was born and raised here, so Iâve seen this event grow. I enjoy every part of it.ââ Paul Dixon , Owner Services, Meyer Vacation Rentals
âThe must-have Cajun Pistol is a crowd favorite, but also be sure to try the Shrimp Nachos.ââ Thomas Willis , Guest Services, Meyer Vacation Rentals
Remember, The Crowdâs Part Of The Fun
â Thomas Ray , Long Term Rentals, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
But You Can Avoid The Masses âMy best advice about the Shrimp Festival is to attend the event on Thursday, when the crowds have not yet built to their peak, and then revisit your favorite vendors on Sunday afternoon for possible negotiable prices. Most merchants would rather sell their items than pack them up.ââ Sarah Kuzma , Operations Specialist, Meyer Vacation Rentals
âThursday evening is when most locals attend the Shrimp Festival. Donât miss the Tip Tops at 8 p.m. They are always a great way to kick off the festival!ââ Judy McMillan , Sales Associate, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
â Janice Zarro , Sales Associate, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
Be Patient âDonât forget your sunscreen and possibly a hat. But make it a patience hat. Thereâs going to be a large crowd. So, slow down. Remember, youâre in a city that moves at a slower pace, and thatâs great!ââ Theresa Berge , Housekeeping Trainer, Meyer Services
âSometimes, the crowds and long lines indicate the best food and drinks!ââ Thomas Willis , Guest Services, Meyer Vacation Rentals
âSunday is a fun day for the kiddos at the Children's Activity Village. Thereâs less of a crowd as the festival is winding down. Happy Shrimp Fest!ââ Renae Stringer , Sales Associate, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
To Drive Or Not To Drive?
â Diane Skelton , Owner Services, Meyer Vacation Rentals
âPark at Pelican Place at Craft Farms, which is the northernmost pick-up and drop-off for the shuttle. Itâs not crowded and is very pleasant. Just sit back and relax!ââ Vida Yeager , Sales Associate, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
âAs many times as I have been to the Shrimp Festival, we have always driven. Itâs around $10 to park, but you do not have to wait for a shuttle to pick you up and take you back to your car. Usually, we find a spot around the Original Oyster House , right off Ala. Hwy. 59.ââ Thomas Ray , Long Term Rentals, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
âExercise caution when parking in yards that offer parking spaces for a fee. Make sure that the person collecting the money for parking is actually the current owner or tenant of the home. There have been rare instances when the owner or renter shows up later to find cars parked all over their yard, and the individual who posed as the owner and collected the money is nowhere to be found.ââ Emily Burke , Administration, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
â Renae Stringer , Sales Associate, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
Dress For Success âI suggest dressing in light clothing for daytime, and donât forget the sunscreen. Wear comfortable shoes at all times.ââ Vida Yeager , Sales Associate, Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
âBring your walking shoes, a hat and some sunscreen!ââ Thomas Willis , Guest Services, Meyer Vacation Rentals
Get Your Art Fix âMy favorite part of the Shrimp Festival is the fine arts area in the center of the festival. I am particularly interested in the artists displaying photography and pottery, and have added to my collection over the years.ââ Sarah Kuzma , Operations Specialist, Meyer Vacation Rentals
Take A Dip Donât forget what makes this area so appealingâour location on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. As the sugar-white sand sings with each step you take on our 38 miles of beaches in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Orange Beach and Perdido Key, youâll be reminded about the wonders of the Gulf and understand why so many people choose the area as their vacation destination throughout the year. Even though itâs October, pack your swimsuit! Youâll want to take advantage of the many indoor pools available at Meyerâs selection of condominium and house accommodations. So, even if the air temperature is too cool to swim outside, you can enjoy a dip in the pool. If the weatherâs warm enough to swim outdoors, more than 70 of Meyerâs homes offer pools or pool access . Some pools are private, which means they are for the sole use of the guests renting the property. Some pools are shared with guests staying in another property. Wind Down At Your Shrimp Fest Home Meyer Vacation Rentals has served as a home base for thousands of Shrimp Festival attendees for all 44 years of the event. Meyerâs Sarah Kuzma reminds guests to find time to enjoy their vacation rentals too. âWe welcome our customers back year after year and provide the resources they need to plan an enjoyable festival. I believe the advantages of condo and house accommodations instead of a hotel room for the festival are the common spaces of the living and dining areas and the bonus kitchen. These areas provide a relaxing setting to wind down from the sights and sounds of the festival .â Wrap Up Here is a recap of Meyerâs Top 10 Tips for having a great time during your Shrimp Festival stay: 1. If you want to enjoy the live musical entertainment , bring a chair or blanket to spread on the ground. Seating is at a premium at the festival. 2. Shrimp Fest only lasts a few days, so give yourself permission to indulge a little. Be sure to try the Cajun Pistol, Shrimp Nachos, or any one of the other seafood items and treats on the menu at the festival. 3. Because of the festivalâs growing popularity, be prepared for the crowd. And if you are bringing kids, keep a watchful eye on their whereabouts, as the festival is bustling with people. The great news is that everyoneâs having fun, and itâs always interesting to engage in a little people watching! 4. To avoid crowds, come on what we call âlocalsâ dayââThursday. Or, wait until Sunday afternoon when the festival is winding down. You may even uncover some deals from vendors on the last day. 5. Be patient and slow down. Thereâs no doubt that life moves at a slower pace here in L.A. (Lower Alabama, that is.) 6. Decide whether or not you are going to drive to the festival site. If you drive, youâll encounter traffic, but there are some great places to park. Parking near the festival site is on a first-come, first-served basis typically for a fee controlled by the private property owner. If you opt to take the shuttle, itâs cheapâonly $5 per person per dayâand 10 convenient stops are offered along the way. Shuttles operate from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 7. Be prepared to dress for the weather to be either warm or cool. In L.A., it could go either way. Regardless, the sun can be intense, and there is a lot to see at the festival, so bring sunscreen, a hat and your walking shoes. If you forget something, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and an outlet mall to explore just a few miles north of the beaches in Foley. 8. Enjoy the wonderful works of art and arts and crafts at the festival. Pick up something new for your art collection, or find something functionally fabulous for your home. 9. Take a dip. Whether itâs warm or cool outside, Meyer Vacation Rentalsâ properties feature outdoor and indoor pools to please. Pack your swimsuit, or pick up a new one at our Island shops and boutiques! 10. Wind down at your Shrimp Fest home away from home . When youâre ready to escape from the festival fun, take a breather at your Meyer Vacation Rental condo or house . Enjoy spacious living areas, explore the beach, take advantage of the amenities, step out on the balcony to breathe in the Gulf airâand book your return trip to our little slice of paradise through Meyer Vacation Rentals .