DISPATCH #24

Good morning Crew! Another week, another reason to love living near the Gulf. Here’s your coastal catch-up.

TODAY’S CATCH

Something a little different will be floating along the coast this weekend. The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is back in Foley, bringing a sky full of colorful balloons, food vendors, live music, and plenty of family-friendly fun. You can catch the balloon glows in the evenings, watch early morning launches, and this year even stick around for a new drone light show to close things out. It’s the kind of easygoing event where you grab a chair, stay a while, and just enjoy what’s drifting by. view schedule
The NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship is returning to Gulf Shores this week, bringing the top college teams in the country to battle it out right here on our stretch of shoreline. Over four days, the sand will be packed with high-level matchups, big crowds, and gorgeous Gulf views — a pretty fun way to spend the day outside. Practice sessions are on Thursday, games begin Friday, and the championship is on Sunday. bracket & schedule
Good news for anglers — Alabama is making the 2026 red snapper season a little easier to plan around. The season opens May 22 and will run seven days a week for private anglers and state-licensed charters until the quota is met or the year ends. The daily limit stays at two fish, but the big change is added flexibility, giving folks more chances to get out on the water. fish on!

LOOK WHAT’S COOKING

Cook Out has officially opened its doors in Foley, bringing with it a menu that feels almost too good to be true. We’re talking trays stacked with options, milkshakes in just about every flavor you can imagine, and combos that make you do a double take.

A juicy backyard-style cheeseburger, hushpuppies, and a corndog on the side? Yes please!

If you’ve never been, Cook Out has a bit of a cult following across the Southeast for its mix-and-match trays and late-night hours. It’s the kind of place where you go in thinking you’ll grab something quick… and leave with a full feast.

See the menu

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

“Another spectacular sunset”
Captured by Daniel Mills in Gulf Shores

Capture any sunsets, wildlife or cool shots around town?

Share your shot

ON THE MARKET

Cool Cottage w/ Resort-Like Outdoor Space
Bon Secour | 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,804 sq ft | look inside

Bear Point w/ Custom Kitchen + Pool
Orange Beach | 4 beds | 4 baths | 1,545 sq ft | island life

Great Value Just Off Beach Express
Foley | 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,755 sq ft | take a peek

2026 CONCERT LINEUP

The Wharf Amphitheater

🔥We’ve got some hot acts coming to the coast this summer! Get your tickets early. Here’s the rundown…

May 16 - Willie Nelson

May 23 - Hardy

May 24 - Godsmack

May 25 - Dave Matthews Band

May 27 - The Black Crowes + Whiskey Myers

May 28 - Treaty Oak Revival

Jun 2 - Jelly Roll

Jun 6 - Gary Allan + Tracy Lawrence

Jun 12-13 - Zach Top

Jul 3 - Gavin Adcock

Jul 12 - Train

Jul 17 - Parker McCollum

Jul 19 - The Coral Reefer Band

Jul 23 - Turnpike Troubadours

Jul 24 - Creed

Jul 25 - Luke Bryan

Aug 4 - TOTO

Aug 21 - Goo Goo Dolls

Aug 26 - Jack Johnson

Aug 29 - Jason Aldean

Sep 12 - Ty Myers

Oct 3 - “Weird Al” Yancovic

Get tickets

DID YOU KNOW?

Red Snapper were never officially listed as endangered, but they got uncomfortably close to the edge in the Gulf. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, heavy fishing pressure had driven the population down to a fraction of its historic levels, with too many young fish being caught before they had a chance to reproduce. Fisheries managers stepped in with strict measures like shorter seasons, size limits, and catch quotas. It wasn’t a quick fix, but over the past couple of decades those efforts have paid off. Today the Gulf red snapper stock is considered rebuilt, making it one of the more notable fishery recovery stories.

SEA & SKY REPORT

CURRENT CONDITIONS
SUNRISE 6:09 am
SUNSET 7:26 pm
UV INDEX Very High
MOON Waxing Gibbous
LOW TIDE 4:30 pm
HIGH TIDE 8:32 am
GULF TEMP 78ºF

*Tides are at Gulf State Park Pier. Gulf temp at Perdido Pass.

ADOPTABLE FRIENDS

This week’s reminder that the best things in life sometimes come with paws.

Howie the dog
A handsome, gentle Coonhound who wants to be outside doing a job with someone who understands his adventurous spirit.

Rocky the dog
A lovable Lab mix who’s affectionate, athletic, and always ready to turn everyday moments into something fun.

Moonpie the kitten
A sweet little girl, full of playful curiosity and gentle affection, raised with lots of love and care—ready to grow into a cuddly companion.

HAPPENINGS

Add an event

Tuesday 28th

All-Ages Karaoke | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm

Tacos, Tequila, & Trivia | Waffles R Wild | Foley | 6pm

Music Bingo | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 7pm

Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm

Wednesday 29th

Junior Rangers: Wetlands | Lake Shelby Picnic Area @ Gulf State Park | 1pm

Free Bingo w/ Rhonda Hart | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 1pm

Bloom & Benefit: Native Plants in Season | Foley Public Library | 2pm

Chess Club | Foley Public Library | 4pm

Open Mic Night w/ Nigel & Co | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 5pm

Game Night | Waffles R Wild | Foley | 5pm

Live Music: Hippy Jim | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 6pm

Live: Saucy FuzZ | The Undertow | Orange Beach | 10pm

Thursday 30th

History of Gulf Pirates | Gulf State Park Nature Center | 11am

Dolphins of the Gulf | Gulf State Park Learning Campus | 1pm

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival (Day 1/3) | OWA | Foley | 4pm - 9:30pm

Live on the Lawn w/ Tim Nowell | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm

Karaoke | Groovy Goat | Foley | 6pm

Karaoke (21+) | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 6pm

Friday 1st

2026 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship | Gulf Place | Gulf Shores | All day

Guided Pier Walk | Gulf State Park Pier | 1pm

Oyster Shell Decoupage | Learning Campus at Gulf State Park | 3:30pm

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival (Day 2/3) | OWA | Foley | 4pm - 9:30pm

Live Music: TN Tim & Doug Drake | Tacky Jacks | Orange Beach | 5pm

Live Music: Jesse Taylor Perry Band | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 6pm

Little Shop of Horrors | Foley Civic Center | 7pm

Saturday 2nd

2026 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship | Gulf Place | Gulf Shores | All day

Market Day | Coastal AL Farmers & Fishermens Market | Foley | 9am - 2pm

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival (Day 3/3) | OWA | Foley | 10am - 9:30pm

Perdido Key Music Festival (Day 1/2) | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 1pm - 10pm

D&D Adventurers League | Foley Public Library | 12pm

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party & Hat Contest | CoastAL | Orange Beach | 3pm

Taylor Swift Party | Orange Beach Public Library | 4pm

Live Music: Gringo Fife | Tacky Jacks | Orange Beach | 5pm

Karaoke Saturday (21+) | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 6pm

Little Shop of Horrors | Foley Civic Center | 7pm

Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm

Given to Fly - The Pearl Jam Experience | OWA Theater | Foley | 7:30pm

Sunday 3rd

Pop-Up Farmer’s Market | Orange Beach Waterfront Park | 10am - 2pm

2026 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship | Gulf Place | Gulf Shores | 10:30am

Perdido Key Music Festival (Day 2/2) | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 1pm - 10pm

Pickleball Brunch & Rally | Pickleball at OWA | Foley | 1pm

Live Music: Jim Pennell | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 5pm

Live on the Lawn w/ Austin Thompson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm

Monday 4th