Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — The 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival has been cancelled following forecasts that Tropical Storm Isaias will strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall along the northern Gulf Coast.

Organizers made the decision following an early morning meeting between Greg Alexander, President of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, and City of Gulf Shores Emergency Management officials. The decision was finalized after the 4 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicated rapid overnight developments in the storm's track and severity.

According to weather advisories from Baldwin County, Isaias is expected to bring significant impacts to coastal Alabama and northwest Florida, including tropical storm-force winds beginning Friday, high surf, storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and potential tornadoes.

"We made every attempt to conduct the festival this year, but due to the projection of high winds, heavy surf, and rain over the weekend, it really left us no choice but to cancel this year's event," said Alexander. He emphasized that the safety of visitors, vendors, volunteers, and staff remains the organization's top priority.

Shrimp Festival Chairman Rob Barnas expressed disappointment while supporting the safety-first decision. "We were really looking forward to a great weekend with shrimp, music, hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors," Barnas said. "But with Isaias predicted to make landfall in our immediate area, the safety of each of these volunteers, visitors and vendors was our top priority."

Organized by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, the National Shrimp Festival has been a Gulf Shores tradition since 1971. Organizers stated that further updates will be shared on official festival social media pages and on myshrimpfest.com.