This weekend is the start of the Fall Festivals and that means Freedom Fest begins on Friday. The City of Orange Beach organizes the free event each year at The Wharf. Friday marks the opening of the two day celebration and we have listed the Freedom Fest agenda below.

The 3rd Annual Orange Beach Freedom Fest and Bama Coast Cruisin’ Car Show returns to The Wharf on Friday, October 6th and Saturday, October 7th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., each day. 

The festive weekend will kick off Friday, October 6th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Bama Coast Cruisin' show’s vintage and classic cars lining on Main Street along with a Kids’ Zone next to the Ferris wheel. Military and veteran groups will be stationed on Wharf Parkway with activities and information, including the U.S. Air Force Operation Shadow Strike mobile experience. 

On Saturday, October 6th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., all of those attractions will be joined by more than 70 arts and crafts and outdoor experience vendor booths on the Wharf’s west side, along with food vendors and a music stage. 

On Friday only, Orange Beach police and fire will join the military groups on Wharf Parkway with demonstrations. On Saturday, a motorcycle and Jeep rally adds to the festive weekend, including a beach cruise at noon. Bama Coast Cruisin’ participants will have their own parade to the beach late Saturday afternoon.

BAMA COAST CRUISIN’ CAR SHOW

The goal of Bama Coast Cruisin’ is to create an inclusive show that welcomes anyone who loves cars and enjoys cruisin’ the open road. There are no restrictions to the vehicles that can be entered into the show. Their motto is: “Bring your dream ride & cruise with us!” For information on how to register, visit the Bama Coast Cruisin' website. 

ARTS AND CRAFT, FOOD, FREE MUSIC, MORE…

Saturday will be full of arts and crafts vendors selling a wide variety of wares, including metal artwork, handmade clothing and accessories, watercolor and acrylic paintings, local honey, jellies, yard art, a wide variety of jewelry booths, candles, patriotic artwork and apparel, permanent jewelry, sensory play kits, oyster décor, face painting, custom-designed T-shirts, and cutlery, among many other things.

An Outdoor Village area will feature blacksmithing demonstrations, the Backcountry Trail, Leave Only Footprints, Gulf State Park, Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability, Orange Beach Coastal Resources, Wind & Water Learning Center, Operation ReConnect, and also vendor booths including outdoor apparel, custom knives, and sunglasses.

The military and veterans groups on Wharf Parkway will include U.S. Air Force Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard, Alabama Air National Guard, Alabama Army National Guard, Marine Corp League, VFW Post 44 and U.S. Air Force Shadow Strike.

The Orange Beach Police Department will run the Kids’ Zone next to the Wharf Ferris wheel on Main Street in The Grove, with drinks, snacks, bouncy houses and activities as a fundraiser for the OBPD Benevolent Fund. The Orange Beach Wildlife Center will also be there with some friends.

The food selection will have something for everyone. In addition to the restaurants at The Wharf, festival-goers on Saturday will have their hands full with a variety of seafood, BBQ pork, boudin egg rolls, corn dogs, chicken tenders, chicken wings, hot dogs and brats. Some of the specialty foods will include kettle corn, pickles, smoothies, ice cream, root beer floats, loaded teas, milkshakes, and cheesecakes. A lemonade stand will be run by the Orange Beach High School Softball Team as a fundraiser. The OBHS Student Government Association will also be selling Pepsi products as a fundraiser.

A merchandise tent will be selling festival shirts and hats.

The CoastAL/Flora-Bama Music Stage on Saturday will include the following lineup:

• 9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Jesse Duncan 
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Johnny Hayes
• 1 p.m.-3 p.m.: Al & Cathy
• 3 p.m.-5 p.m.: Smokey Otis Band