Seafood lovers in the Mobile area have another reason to head to the ballpark this summer, as the Alabama Coastal Foundation prepares for its fourth annual Coastal Seafood Craze, set for Friday, June 5, 2015, at Hank Aaron Stadium’s event center.
The tasting event will run from 5 p.m. to 7:05 p.m., timed to wrap up just as the Mobile BayBears take the field for first pitch. Organizers have paired the fundraiser with an ACF night at the ballpark, giving attendees a chance to sample dishes from a lineup of well-known local restaurants and caterers before settling in for a night of minor league baseball.
Participating vendors include Dumbwaiter Restaurant, Half Shell Oyster House, The Lighthouse Restaurant, The Noble South, The OK Bicycle Shop, Creative Catering by Sean, Georgia Roussos Catering, Greer’s Market, Gulf Distributing and Mobile Popcorn. The spread is expected to feature Gulf Coast staples such as shrimp and grits, fried oysters and gumbo, alongside sushi and other dishes from the region’s restaurant scene.
Tickets are priced at $25 and include both admission to the seafood tasting and a seat for that evening’s BayBears game. Organizers say tickets can be purchased in advance through the Alabama Coastal Foundation’s website or bought at the door on the day of the event.
Every dollar raised is earmarked for the nonprofit’s ongoing education and habitat restoration work along the Alabama coast. The Alabama Coastal Foundation, founded in 1993, describes its mission as protecting and improving the state’s coastal environment by bringing together a broad mix of stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses and everyday residents, to support responsible decisions about how the coast is used and preserved.
Over the past two decades, the foundation has built a track record of coordinating volunteer-driven restoration projects and educational programs aimed at helping South Alabama communities better understand the ecological value of the bay and surrounding wetlands. Events like the Coastal Seafood Craze have become one of the group’s more visible fundraising tools, combining a family-friendly night out with direct support for conservation work that benefits the wider Mobile Bay watershed.
Pairing the tasting with a BayBears game has proven to be a popular formula in past years, drawing crowds who might not otherwise attend a stand-alone fundraiser. Organizers are hoping this year’s installment builds on that momentum, giving coastal restaurants a chance to showcase their menus while helping fund projects that protect the same waters many of those businesses depend on for their seafood supply.