ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Continuing the 250th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the City of Orange Beach is presenting the 6th Annual Orange Beach Freedom Fest on Sept. 19-20 at The Wharf.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.
Three Events in One Weekend
Alongside the festival itself, the weekend includes the Bama Coast Cruisin’ Car Show on Main Street and Wharf Parkway, the nonprofit Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association’s 3rd Annual Firearms Show at the Event Center, and the Marshals Mardi Gras group’s motorcycle and Jeep rally on Saturday.
Saturday
Freedom Fest weekend kicks off Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with arts and crafts vendors, outdoor experience booths, patriotic military booths and food vendors on the Wharf’s west side. Live music is provided by Flora-Bama and CoastAL.
Bama Coast Cruisin’s vintage and classic cars line Main Street and Wharf Parkway, alongside a Kids’ Zone sponsored by the Orange Beach Police Benevolent Fund, next to the Ferris wheel.
The Marshals Mardi Gras group holds a “Freedom Rally for First Responders,” a motorcycle and Jeep rally on Wharf Parkway West between the bridge and SpringHill Suites. A police-escorted beach ride leaves at noon.
The Car Show
The goal of Bama Coast Cruisin’ is an inclusive show that welcomes anyone who loves cars and enjoys cruising the open road. There are no restrictions on vehicles entered. Their motto: “Bring your dream ride & cruise with us!”
Bama Coast Cruisin’ participants have their own parade to the beach at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
The no-restrictions policy is unusual for a car show and is the reason these events draw the range they do. Judged shows with class requirements tend to attract the same restored vehicles year after year; an open show brings out daily drivers, works in progress and vehicles that would never place in a concours but that someone built themselves.
The Firearms Show
The Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association hosts the Collectible Firearms Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Orange Beach Event Center.
Admission is $10 cash or $11 by credit card. Children 10 and under are free.
Vendors
Saturday and Sunday feature arts and crafts vendors selling specialty goods, boutique clothing, jewelry, woodwork, metal works and candles.
The Orange Beach Police Benevolent Fund runs the Kids’ Zone next to the Wharf Ferris wheel on Main Street in The Grove, with drinks, snacks, bouncy houses and activities. The Orange Beach Wildlife Center will also attend.
The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will sell beer on Main Street and near the food vendors and the Flora-Bama/CoastAL music stage.
The Flora-Bama/CoastAL Music Stage features two full days of music on the vendor side of the festival.
Parking and Shuttles
There is no admission charge to the festival or car show — admission is required only for the firearms show — and organizers say there is plenty of parking.
Volunteers from Orange Beach City Schools help park cars on Saturday, and donations are accepted in support of school programs.
Shuttles run from Orange Beach Middle/High School both days. Shuttle pickup is at the school bell tower, with drop-off at the front circle on Main Street at The Wharf.
Handicap parking is available on site at The Wharf, and a handicap-accessible shuttle also runs from the school.
The shuttle arrangement is worth using. The Wharf’s on-site parking fills quickly during a two-day festival, and a school-based park-and-ride removes the slowest part of the trip.
Plan for the Heat
Forecasters expect temperatures in the mid-90s with heat index values in the low 100s across the Gulf Coast this weekend. Attendees spending the day outdoors at The Wharf should drink water steadily, use shade where available and watch for signs of heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness and nausea.
America’s 250th
With this being America’s 250th birthday year, organizers describe it as a red, white and blue weekend steeped in American nostalgia, while honoring all who fought — and continue to fight — for everyday freedoms.