Orange Beach’s sixth annual Freedom Fest will return to The Wharf for two days, Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, and organizers have now finalized many of the weekend’s details, including which performers will take the Flora-Bama/CoastAL Music Stage. The nonprofit two-day celebration draws visitors from across the Gulf Coast with live music, a classic car show, a collectible firearms show and family-friendly activities. Vendor applications for the festival’s food trucks, nonprofits and arts and crafts booths are now closed.
The 6th Annual Orange Beach Freedom Fest and Bama Coast Cruisin’ Fall Car Show runs Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., both days at The Wharf. Admission to the festival and car show remains free. The Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association will also hold its third annual Collectible Firearms Show both days at the Orange Beach Event Center.
Festival Highlights
Each day of the festival will include the Bama Coast Cruisin’ car show along Main Street and Wharf Parkway, a Kids’ Zone next to the Ferris wheel, patriotic military booths, and arts, crafts and food vendors on the west side of The Wharf. Live music will run throughout both days on the Flora-Bama/CoastAL Music Stage. The Kids’ Zone will be staffed by the Orange Beach Police Department as a K9 fundraiser, with drinks, snacks, bouncy houses and other activities for children, and the Orange Beach Wildlife Center is expected to bring along some animal ambassadors.
Jeep and Motorcycle Rally
On Saturday, the Marshals Mardi Gras group will host a “Freedom Rally & Ride,” a motorcycle and Jeep rally staged on Wharf Parkway West between the bridge and the SpringHill Suites hotel. A police-escorted ride to the beach departs at noon. Tickets and additional details are available through the group’s EventBrite listing.
Bama Coast Cruisin’ Car Show
Bama Coast Cruisin’ bills itself as an inclusive show open to any vehicle, with no entry restrictions — organizers’ motto is “Bring your dream ride & cruise with us!” Registration information is available directly from Bama Coast Cruisin’. Participants in the show will hold their own parade down to the beach at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Collectible Firearms Show
The Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association will run its 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, a separate venue from the main festival grounds. Admission is $10 cash or $11 by credit card, and children 10 and under get in free. Vendors interested in a booth at the gun show can apply through the association.
Arts, Crafts, Food and Free Music
Vendors both days will sell a wide range of goods, including specialty items, boutique clothing, jewelry, woodwork, metalwork and candles. The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will sell beer on Main Street near the food vendors and music stage, and official Freedom Fest T-shirts will be available at a merchandise tent on the west side of the festival grounds.
Music Stage Lineup
The Flora-Bama/CoastAL Music Stage will feature live performances throughout both days of the festival, on the vendor side of the grounds:
Saturday, Sept. 19
- 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Tim Roberts
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Trent Brownlee
- 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Mike Diamond Duo
- 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Dalton Bush Band
Sunday, Sept. 20
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Brent Varner Duo
- 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Ryan Dyer Band
Parking and Shuttles
There is no admission charge for the festival or car show, and ample parking will be available. On Saturday, volunteers from Orange Beach City Schools will help direct parking, with donations accepted to benefit school programs. Free shuttles will run both days from Orange Beach Middle/High School, with pickup at the school’s bell tower and 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 will also run from the school.