As the winter weather warms and spring break is just around the corner, festival season kicks off on the Alabama coast. The 33rd Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival is set to take place Saturday, February 22, 2025, at The Wharf in Orange Beach. The event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., promises a day filled with culinary delights, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and an impressive display of classic automobiles.

As the primary fundraising event for the Makos Academics Arts & Athletics Club (MAAAC), the festival directly supports Orange Beach schools. In previous years, the festival has attracted over 20,000 attendees, highlighting its significance in the community.

Culinary Offerings

Attendees can indulge in a wide array of seafood dishes provided by various vendors. The festival's food court, located in the west parking lot behind the movie theater, will feature offerings such as oysters, fried shrimp, crawfish, fish, shrimp gumbo, shrimp po'boys, crawfish egg rolls, boudin egg rolls, jambalaya, crawfish shrimp creole, and Cajun sausage. For dessert, options include Mardi Gras beignets and bread pudding. Snack items like kettle corn, cotton candy, old-fashioned sodas, fresh-squeezed lemonade, smoothies, milkshakes, and loaded teas will also be available. A highlight is the "Crawfish on Main Street" prepared by Rouses Market, with plates priced at $20; attendees are advised to bring cash, as this offering typically sells out quickly.

Arts, Crafts, and Entertainment

The festival will showcase over 100 arts and crafts booths, featuring handmade jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, leather goods, pottery, sculpture, specialty items, and woodwork. Live music will be performed throughout the day on multiple stages. The Arts & Crafts Music Stage will host Strick & Nixx from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Shea & Brandon White from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., and Funky Lampshades from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, The Destinations will perform at Portside on Main from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A dedicated Kids' Zone will offer various activities to entertain younger attendees.

MAAAC Car Show

Car enthusiasts can look forward to a vast display of antique, classic, and hot rod vehicles lining Main Street. All funds raised from the car show benefit MAAAC. Trophies will be awarded in multiple categories. Interested participants can register for the 2025 show on the MAAAC website for a fee of $75. On-site registration will also be available on the day of the event at the Main Street entrance, beginning at 9 a.m., for a fee of $100. For more information on the car show, contact Melaine Bennett at 251-200-8037.

Admission and Parking

Admission to the festival is free, with ample parking available. Volunteers from Orange Beach schools will assist with parking, and donations are welcomed to support local educational initiatives. Complimentary shuttles will operate from Orange Beach Middle/High School starting at approximately 9:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m., depending on demand. Shuttle pickup will be at the school bell tower, with drop-off at the front circle on Main Street at The Wharf.

For the latest information and updates, visit the official Seafood Festival Facebook event by clicking here.