Gulf Shore Getaway

Bellingrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights

The 2006 holiday season officially opens next weekend with Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights. The festivities begin on Friday, Nov 24th, and runs though the end of December 2006.

This year, as in past years, Bellingrath Gardens and Home will celebrate a Magic Christmas in Lights, a spectacular holiday light display. This amazing event, now in its eleventh year, is sure to be bigger and even more spectacular than ever before. This year's presentation will include over three million twinkling holiday lights and 25 holiday displays. You'll see traditional, whimsical and contemporary holiday scenes such as Winter Wonderland, Candyland, Toyland, Christmas Village and Butterflies in Flight. Everyone's favorite animated scenes and figures will be found somewhere along the way. In addition, the Bellingrath Museum Home, filled with priceless antiques and furnishings, will be decorated in holiday finery and splendor with guided tours available.

Mobile Renaissance Faire

Mobile goes medieval on Nov 18th, 2006-Nov 19th at the 6th Annual Mobile Renaissance Faire.

By royal decree you are invited to the his majesty's 6th annual Mobile Renaissance Faire! This year's Mobile Renaissance Faire will be held on the weekend of November 18th and 19th from 10am to 5pm, at the Mobile Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds.

Come on out and eat, drink and be merry. You are to be entertained by knights jousting in the royal jousting tournament, by demonstrations of the fine sport of falconry and by sword fighters who will showcase their skills with the long blade.

Watch out for Pirates! We will have court jesters, jugglers, wizards, fire breathers, musical minstrels and gypsy dancers to ensure your every moment is filled with medieval whimsy. You'll also have an opportunity to try out your skills at various Renaissance games of skill

Mobile International Festival

The annual Mobile International Festival will be held at the Mobile Civic Center Main Arena on Saturday, November 18, 2006 from 10am to 5pm.

The Mobile International Festival is the Gulf Coast’s premier international cultural event. This year we're celebrating 23 years of exciting family fun. Come out and enjoy getting to know some of the various cultures around the world first hand. In one day you get to visit and experience life on each of the earth's continents.

Come and meet face-to-face with people from every corner of the planet, learn about life in their homeland and feel their friendliness. See the arts and crafts, be entertained, hear the sounds, and taste the flavors of the world. You will certainly be tempted by over 50 dishes from four corners of the world! Sample different entrees, mouth-watering desserts and exotic beverages such as international coffees, beers or wines. With food from 20 countries, there's something to please even the pickiest palate.

13th annual "Colonial Isle Dauphine"

Colonial Isle Dauphine' to be presented at Fort Gaines Historic Site on Dauphin Island

Come to Dauphin Island on the weekend of November 12th and 13th. The 13th annual "Colonial Isle Dauphine" will be presented at Fort Gaines Historic Site from 9am to 5am each day.

You'll explore life as it was in the early 1800s. The "Colonial Isle Dauphine" is a living history weekend which illustrates what life was like at Fort Gaines. Actors in period costumes will be dressed as soldiers who will perform drills and fire the fort's cannon. Women will cook over open fires and traders will offer their wares from their blankets.

35th Annual National Shrimp Festival opens today

The 35th annual National Shrimp Festival takes place today through Sunday. The National Shrimp Festival is of the country's premier outdoor festivals. The festival features an international marketplace where over 300 vendors will show and offer fine art, arts and crafts, and all manner of shrimp.

Yes, shrimp! Fried, grilled, broiled or steamed, any way you like it, and every way you'll love it. You will find it all at the festival along with other delicious seafood and non seafood dishes.

The 35th National Shrimp Festival takes place at the Gulf Shores Alabama Public Beach.

Shrimp festival opens today; huge crowds expected

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Orange Beach is the "Best Place to Be"

On the beach: Best Place to Be serves big slice of coastal history

For a city that has been incorporated for only 22 years, Orange Beach has a long and colorful history, which has been expertly captured in "The Best Place to Be: The Story of Orange Beach, Alabama."

Written by Margaret Childress Long with Michael D. Shipler, this carefully researched book begins with a description of the first settlers -- the Paleo-Indians -- and concludes with a short recounting of Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, which the authors describe as "the price you pay for living in paradise."

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