As coronavirus concerns swept the Gulf Coast in mid-March 2020, a wave of beloved spring events across South Alabama and the Panhandle was canceled or postponed — an early sign of how thoroughly COVID-19 would reshape community life.
Mobile and Baldwin County
In Mobile, Battleship Memorial Park announced it would close March 20 until further notice, and the Mobile Public Library shut its doors effective March 18 with a tentative April 6 reopening. The Festival of Flowers — billed as the Southeast region’s largest outdoor flower show, set for March 26–29 at Providence Hospital — was canceled outright, as were the Dauphin Island Native American Festival and the Gulf Coast Children’s Book Festival at The Grounds. Bishop State Community College postponed its lineworker graduation.
The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival, scheduled for March 14–15, was canceled along with the Baldwin Art for Heart gala. Elberta’s Sausage Festival, a decades-long tradition at the end of March, was “canceled for now.” Eastern Shore flag football activities were suspended immediately, and the Wharf Boat and Yacht Show was postponed while organizers sought new dates.
In Gulf Shores, Papa Rocco’s called off its 35th annual Saint Patty’s Day Pub Crawl — a tradition dating back 35 years that drew visitors from around the country — with owner Bill McGinness saying public safety had to come first. Gulf Shores public schools closed classes until April 6, offering free meals in the meantime, and the First Baptist Church in Leroy canceled all on-campus activities from March 18.
Panhandle Closures Follow
Across the state line, Cordova Mall in Pensacola and Silver Sands Outlet Mall in Destin closed, the Pensacola Christian Academy shut down for two weeks, Gallery Night Pensacola called off its March 20 event, and Smokin’ in the Square was scrapped. Cher’s Pensacola Bay Center concert was pushed to September, and even the KISS members’ Rock n’ Brews Casino ribbon-cutting in Biloxi was shelved as the Mississippi Coast Coliseum’s Spring Jam was also canceled.
Together the cancellations emptied a calendar that normally anchors the region’s spring tourism season, leaving organizers hoping many events could be rescheduled later in the year.