DISPATCH #49
Good morning Crew! Another week has rolled in with the tide, along with some much welcomed cooler temperatures that actually make it feel like fall around here. I’ve already gathered up the good stuff for you, so let’s dive on in.
TODAY’S CATCH
Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots Festival is returning to Gulf Shores in May 2027 after taking a year off. The three-day music festival made quite a splash in 2025, selling out general admission passes in less than two hours and bringing big names like Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, and Hardy to the sand. The lineup is expected to be announced in November. If the first year was any indication, you might want to have your ticket-buying fingers warmed up. boots are back
Apparently, Baldwin County has become quite the popular place to enjoy the golden years. Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fairhope have the four highest median population ages of any cities in Alabama. That growing population of retirees is helping drive some big changes in local healthcare, including hospital expansions in Foley and Fairhope and new medical facilities closer to the beach. At the same time, new industries, jobs, and schools are helping to bring younger families into the mix. Not a bad place to raise a family, enjoy retirement, or anything in between. the good life
After more than a decade of talking about it, Orange Beach is finally getting ready to restore a stretch of shoreline along Wolf Bay. The project will tackle erosion around Waterfront Park and the Coastal Arts Center using new sand, native marsh plants, and rock breakwaters to help protect the shoreline from waves. The first phase is scheduled to begin in late October, with additional work planned through early 2027. Besides protecting the waterfront, the improvements should create better habitat for wildlife and might even make the fishing a little better. shore thing
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
“Loggerhead Shrike”
Captured by Kristen Williams in Gulf State Park
Capture any sunsets, wildlife or cool photos around town?
ON THE MARKET
Presented by REMAX on the Coast
Single Level Living w/ Double Porches + Lots of Amenities
Foley | 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,940 sq ft | welcome home
Coastal Cottage w/ 3-Car Garage & Fenced Yard
Gulf Shores | 4 beds | 3 baths | 2,385 sq ft | look inside
Beachfront Condo w/ $77K in Rent + Deeded Parking Spot
Orange Beach | 3 beds | 3 baths | 1,687 sq ft | island life
Beach House w/ 4 Baths Next to Gulf State Park
Gulf Shores | 3 beds | 4 baths | 1,904 sq ft | take a peek
SEA & SKY REPORT
CURRENT CONDITIONS |
|---|
SUNRISE 6:55 am |
SUNSET 6:13 pm |
UV INDEX Moderate |
MOON Waxing Gibbous |
LOW TIDE 2:40 pm |
HIGH TIDE 3:04 am |
GULF TEMP 72ºF |
TROPICAL TRACKER All Clear |
*Tides are at Gulf State Park Pier. Gulf temp at Perdido Pass.
ADOPTABLE FRIENDS
Looking to add a little more love (and maybe some fur) to your crew?
Laura the dog
A beautiful 3-year-old girl with a gentle spirit, ready to discover the joy of outdoor adventures, loving attention, and a forever family who’ll make her feel loved.
Cherry the dog
A gentle, quiet girl with a loyal heart and plenty of kisses to share, ready to bring warmth, affection, and peaceful companionship to her new family.
Ryder the dog
This handsome Golden Retriever mix is a gentle, easygoing fellow with plenty of kisses to give, ready to trade quiet days for cozy companionship and new peeps to love.
HAPPENINGS
Tuesday 20th
LuLu’s Meeting of the Minds | LuLu's Gulf Shores | 11am
Coastal Raptors of Gulf State Park | Gulf State Park Nature Center | Gulf Shores | 1pm
Tacos, Tequila, & Trivia | OWA Parks & Resort | Foley | 6pm
Foley Run Club | Moe’s Original BBQ | Foley | 6pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater | Foley | 7pm
Wednesday 21st
Midday Melodies | Heritage Park | Foley | 11am
Public Open House | Swift Coles Historic Home | Bon Secour | 12pm
Line Dancing | Dick's Last Resort | Orange Beach | 6:30pm
Thursday 22nd
The Purge Sale | The Wharf | Orange Beach | 10am
The Parrot Head Emergency Fund Benefit | South Baldwin Community Theatre | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Groovy Goat Thursday Night Karaoke | OWA Parks & Resort | Foley | 6pm
Primal Fear | OWA | Foley | 6pm
Friday 23rd
Guided Pier Walk | Gulf State Park Saltwater Pier | Gulf Shores | 9am
Trick or Treat with Zeke’s Fleet! | Zeke's Landing Marina | Orange Beach | 5pm
BCHM Haunted Forest | Baldwin County Heritage Museum | Elberta | 6pm
Outdoor Movie Night: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" | Orange Beach Public Library | 6:30pm
Saturday 24th
5th Annual Fish For Families | Tacky Jack's Gulf Shores | 5am
American Heart Association Walk | OWA Parks & Resort | Foley | 9am
Adult Art: Halloween Mint Tin Dioramas | Foley Public Library | 10am
Halloween Pirate Party | Big Daddy's Grill on Fish River | Fairhope | 11am
Shrimp Festival Art Walk | Waterway Village | Gulf Shores | 11am
Blackout Bowling Halloween | Gulf Bowl | Foley | 2pm
TEEN - Escape Room Murder Mystery Party | Orange Beach Public Library | 4:30pm
Graham Creek’s Haunted Forest | Graham Creek Nature Preserve | Foley | 7pm
Sunday 25th
Sunday Funday | Gulf Babe Wine Boutique | Orange Beach | All day
26th Annual Fun Poker Run | Tacky Jack's Gulf Shores | 8am
Groovy Goat Music Bingo | OWA Parks & Resort | Foley | 5pm
Monday 26th
Mahjong Mondays | Gulf Babe Wine Boutique | Orange Beach | All day
Books & Brews Book Club | Luna's Eat and Drink | Orange Beach | 5pm
*Event details are subject to change.
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
That’ll do it from my end this week. Y’all take care of yourselves and I’ll see you back here next Tuesday—and as always, may God bless you and your crew!
—Shawn Swisher
P.S. Please share Gulf Coast Crew with a friend who loves this place as much as you do!