"Life is better here"
Welcome to the City of Orange Beach's
community newsletter.
Vol. 5, Issue 40
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Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Ian.
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Freedom Fest is here!
The 2nd Annual Orange Beach Freedom Fest starts TODAY at The Wharf. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st. A benefit concert with John Rich of Big & Rich and patriotic speakers will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 2nd in the Amphitheatre. While the festival is free, there is a charge for the concert with proceeds benefitting Folds of Honor. Get your tickets at Ticketmaster.
SCHEDULE
Friday, September 30th – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Bama Coast Cruisin’ car show – Main Street. Details at https://bamacoastcruisin.com/fall/.
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Arts & Crafts – west parking lot behind the AMC CLASSIC Wharf 15 movie theatre.
- Friday and Saturday will be full of more than 70 arts and crafts vendors selling a wide variety of wares, including glass bird feeders, pottery, fish print art, BBQ sauces, artwork, windchimes, patriotic apparel and art, among many other things. Additionally, a variety of military groups and nonprofits will be on hand including Operation Reconnect, Folds of Honor, American Legion Post 44, Marine Corps League, U.S. Air Force Reserve, U.S. Navy Recruiters, Miracle League of Coastal Alabama, and Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library.
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Food vendors – west parking lot behind movie theater.
- The food selection will have something for everyone. In addition to the restaurants at The Wharf, festival-goers will have their hands full with barbeque ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, Cajun pistols, gumbo, shrimp po-boys, grilled mahi, philly cheese steak, crawfish, oysters, and grouper tacos, among many other selections. Some of the specialty foods will include Hawaiian shaved ice, ice cream, kettle corn, smoothies, and boiled peanuts.
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Parking and Shuttles - Festival parking will be available at The Wharf. A free shuttle system will also run from the Orange Beach Sportsplex on Friday. On-site festival parking will be directed by Orange Beach City Schools with donations accepted for school programs. Handicapped parking will only be available onsite at The Wharf.
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Entertainment - Arts & Craft Stage
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Tony Brook
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Dew Pendleton
- 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Christina Christian
- 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. - The Krickets
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Friday night concert at The Wharf Amphitheatre - ZZ Top and Jeff Beck will be playing at the Amphitheater as part of the C Spire Concert Series. Find ticket information on The Wharf Amphitheater website.
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Island Time Jeepers - Jeep Meet and Parade - between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. - with a parade at 1 p.m. The parade will start from Event Center and go to the Perdido Pass bridge and return. Parking will be at the marina parking lot and Event Center parking lot. In addition to the parade, it will include a Poker Walk, Show 'N' Shine, and a Ducking Contest with proceeds benefitting Folds of Honor. Registration is not required, just show up. Find more details at https://www.facebook.com/Islandtimejeepers.
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iHeart radio DJ at Marlin Circle
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Kids’ Fun Zone - organized by the Orange Beach Police Department in the grassy area next to Ferris Wheel on Main Street in The Grove, with bouncy houses and other fun activities.
Saturday, October 1st – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Bama Coast Cruisin’ car show – Main Street – the car show will end with a parade down to the beach at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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Arts & Crafts – west parking lot behind the AMC CLASSIC Wharf 15 movie theatre
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Food vendors – west parking lot behind movie theater.
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Parking and Shuttles - Festival parking will be available at The Wharf. A free shuttle system will also run from the Orange Beach Middle / High School parking lot with overflow at the Sportsplex. On-site festival parking will be directed by Orange Beach City Schools with donations accepted for school programs. Handicapped parking will only be available onsite at The Wharf.
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Entertainment - Arts & Crafts Stage
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - David Chastang
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Al and Cathy
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Charlie Argo
- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Johnny Hayes
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Kids’ Zone – organized by the Orange Beach Police Department in the grassy area next to Ferris Wheel on Main Street in The Grove, with bouncy houses and other fun activities.
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iHeart radio DJ at Marlin Circle
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2nd Annual Let Freedom Roar Run and Rally, held by The Marshals Mardi Gras group, will include a motorcycle and Jeep parade, benefitting Youth Reach Gulf Coast. Registration will start at 10 a.m. with the parade to roll at noon. Parking will be at the marina parking lot and lawn, and the Event Center parking lot. Registration is $25 per driver and $10 per passenger. Parade Route: Canal Rd East from The Wharf, South on 161, East on Beach Blvd, Over Alabama Point Bridge, return to The Wharf. Followed by Party at Sandshaker at The Wharf, 2 p.m. with drawings, T-shirts, and live music. Register in person or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-let-freedom-roar-run-and-rally-tickets-372528983217.
Sunday, October 2nd – 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- John Rich of Big & Rich will headline an All-American afternoon at the Wharf Amphitheatre. Doors open at noon.
- Keynote Patriotic Speakers:
- 1 p.m. Ben Walborn - former U.S. Navy Blue Angel
- 1:15 p.m. - Kevin Lacz - U.S. Navy Seal - served with "American Sniper" Chris Kyle - also, author of "The Last Punisher"
- Live Musical Performances:
- 1:30 p.m. opening act - Bruce Smelley
- 2 p.m. - John Rich
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that helps provide educational scholarships to families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.
Find more information about Freedom Fest weekend at www.orangebeachfreedomfest.com.
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City Council to meet Oct. 4
The Orange Beach City Council is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 4th in the Council Chambers at City Hall, followed by the Committee of the Whole work session. The council meeting will be streamed live on the city's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/orangebeach. Once posted, the agendas are available at https://orangebeach.novusagenda.com/agendapublic.
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CITY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
The city held an Employee Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. The food for the Mexican Fiesta was provided by Cactus Cantina. The luncheon was organized by the city’s Employee Appreciation Committee. Special milestone anniversary gifts, created by the art center’s The Hot Shop, were presented to city employees in recognition of their dedication to public service. Click on the image above to see more photos of the luncheon.
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Pardon Our Progress: Canal Road widening project will require sidewalk closures
Portions of the sidewalk on East Canal Road will be closed on and off between Hwy. 161 and Wilson Boulevard for the duration of the road widening project.
For the next two weeks into early to mid October, the sidewalk will be closed in the area of the future roundabout near the library and art center. For those wanting to get to Doc’s Seafood or GTs on the Bay, or anywhere west of the art center for at least the next few weeks, you’ll need to use your car. The area is an active construction zone and will not be safe for golf carts, pedestrians or bicyclists.
The overall project will cover a 1.4-mile section of Canal Road and will expand it to three lanes to allow for a middle turn lane. The roundabout is being constructed near the public library and a 10-foot multi-use path will be created on the north side of the road between Callaway Drive and Wilson Boulevard.
Construction began in early September and is expected to take a year and a half to complete.
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Community Potluck this Monday will feature Operation ReConnect
The next Orange Beach Community Potluck Dinner will be held on Monday, October 3rd at the Community Center, 27235 Canal Road. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30 and a program at 7 p.m.
The October potluck will feature a short program by Operation ReConnect. The entrée will be Lasagna, provided by the Orange Beach Community Association. Anyone attending may bring a side dish, dessert or pay $5, if unable to prepare a food item. The association is collecting 2022-2023 dues of $25 for a family and $13 for single member.
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SEA TURTLE RELEASE
Click on the image above to watch the Facebook Live video of Orange Beach Coastal Resources and Gulf State Park crews releasing a loggerhead back into the wild on Wednesday. The loggerhead is named Casper and recovered from injuries sustained by fishing hooks.
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SCHOOL NEWS
ORANGE BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
MAKO ATHLETICS
The Orange Beach Swim team had a solid start to the season with their first meet Tuesday night in Daphne. Multiple swimmers qualified for Sectionals along with a few already achieving State qualifying times locking in their spot in Auburn at the State Championship.
Lucean Pingrey qualified for State in Butterfly and 200 Freestyle
The boys 400 relay consisting of Evan Chase, Kelwyn Pingrey, Jacob Peet, and Lucean Pingrey locked their spot in at an impressive 4:13.90 at their first attempt in a competition.
For Sectionals, Clara Kirkes took her spot in 50 Freestyle as well as Evan Chase and Gray Williams in 50 Free as well.
The team overall had a strong showing with only 10 of the 17 active roster being able to attend. They placed 3rd overall amongst five schools being represented, which is worth noting as they were only able to compete in 8 out of the 22 total events to score team points.
Go Makos!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Congratulations to the Orange Beach Middle School Football team for the 20-0 win over Summerdale on the road Tuesday!
The Orange Beach High School Varsity Football Team played in Fairhope last night and fell just short to St. Michael 49-41 in the Class 4A Region 1 matchup. Last Friday at the homecoming game, the Makos beat McIntosh 42-14. They are currently 4-2 and head to Bayside next week - Friday, October 7th - in Daphne.
ORANGE BEACH MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
A special thank-you to those who organized and supported See You at the Pole on Wednesday morning. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students, faculty, and community members to gather together.
ORANGE BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
See You at the Pole held on September 28th.
Orange Beach City Board of Education
Upcoming scheduled meetings and/or work sessions:
- Thursday, October 13, 2022, 4:30 P.M. Work Session followed by 5:30 P.M. Regular Meeting in Council Chambers
- Thursday, November 10, 2022, 4:30 P.M. Work Session followed by 5:30 P.M. Regular Meeting in Council Chambers
Find more information on the Orange Beach City Schools website at https://www.orangebeachboe.org/.
School Websites
Orange Beach Elementary School: www.obschools.org.
Orange Beach Middle/High School: www.obcityschools.org.
Find all of the latest school news on Facebook at:
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ORANGE BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY OCTOBER CALENDAR
Be sure to check out all of the happenings at the Orange Beach Public Library. The October Children & Teen Calendar 2022 is available now. Find more information on the Orange Beach Public Library Facebook page.
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REMINDER: AQUATICS CENTER CLOSED FOR REPAIRS, SEPT. 26-OCT. 7
The Orange Beach Aquatics center will be closed from Monday, September 26th to Friday, October 7th due to repairs and maintenance. Members may use the Gulf Shores Recreation Center pool only at no cost during that period of time. Members must present a valid Orange Beach membership card at the Gulf Shores Recreation Center front desk for access to the pool.
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UPCOMING HAPPENINGS
OCT. 5 - COFFEE WITH A COP - The public is invited to join Orange Beach Police Department for Coffee with a Cop at Southern Grind at The Wharf, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5th. The OBPD Coffee with a Cop event will be held in conjunction with National Coffee with a Cop.
OCT. 15 - PUMPKIN PADDLE - The Wind & Water Learning Center is hosting its inaugural costumed Pumpkin Paddle on Saturday, October 15, 2022. This is a family-friendly Halloween themed paddle and music event. Wear your best costume and decorate your kayak or paddleboard because there will be prizes up for grabs! All paddlers must sign in at the W&WLC Office by the 5:30 PM launch time. City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources will guide a short paddle along the southern shore of Wolf Bay to watch the sunset 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Paddle boards and kayaks are to launch from and land at the W&WLC beach launch. This is an event recommended for 10 years and older; minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own kayak/paddleboard or contact Jackie McGonigal at jmcgonigal@orangebeachal.gov or call 251-424-5909 to reserve a W&WLC kayak. There is no registration fee, but participants can make a cash or check donation to the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center on site. Don’t forget to bring a camp chair and pack a cooler for afterwards. We will have live music by local band “Spicy Danger” from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Even if you don’t join us for the paddle, you’re welcome to come for the music - everyone is invited!
OCT. 22 - POLICE AND FIRE COMMUNITY COOKOUT - The 2022 Orange Beach Police and Fire Community Cookout will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 22nd at Waterfront Park. Join the police and fire departments for a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs that will be provided free to the community they love to serve! Waterfront Park is at 26425 Canal Road.
OCT. 23 - BALDWIN POPS CONCERT - The Baldwin Pops will perform in the courtyard of the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23rd. The concert is free.
OCT. 27 - ARTS AFIRE FALL FESTIVAL - The Annual Arts Afire Fall Festival is set for Thursday, October 27th from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. The festival is free.
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