In Gulf Shores offices, restaurants, hotels and homes you will find collections of the coveted Shrimp Festival posters from prior years. Each one tells a unique story about the event, the area and the artist. The poster for each year has developed into a local collector's item.

The 2026 Shrimp Festival Poster Contest has officially opened, inviting artists to submit designs that capture the spirit of one of the Gulf Coast’s most beloved annual events. Organizers are seeking a creative, eye-catching design to represent the 53rd Shrimp Festival. The winning artwork will become the festival’s official poster and promotional image. The artist behind the selected design will also receive a $1,000 cash prize.

This year’s festival will take place from October 8 through October 11, 2026, continuing a long tradition that celebrates local culture, seafood, and art. The deadline to enter the poster contest is Friday, March 27. Submissions can be sent by mail or delivered in person. Contest rules and guidelines are available online at the Chamber’s Website.

Festival organizers say the contest enables artists to contribute to the area’s cultural history. “Each poster captures the energy and personality of its year’s festival,” an organizer said. “We can’t wait to see what the 2026 design will bring.”

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The Shrimp Festival, known for its fresh seafood, live music, and local art, has drawn thousands of visitors to the coast for more than fifty years. The annual poster has become one of the festival’s most recognizable traditions, often collected as a keepsake.

Local artists, students, and residents are encouraged to share their creativity and help represent the community’s coastal charm. The festival committee hopes this year’s contest will draw even more participation from across the Gulf Coast region.