Orange Beach, Ala. — (GSN) — The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, in co-sponsorship with Friends of the Arts and the City of Orange Beach, is hosting Arts Afire, a free community fall festival designed to bring residents and visitors together to celebrate creativity and local culture.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Coastal Arts Center, located at 26389 Canal Road in Orange Beach.

Attendees can look forward to a full lineup of evening activities, including hot glass demonstrations, Raku pottery firings, face painting, children's games and treats, raffles, and live music. A main feature of the festival is the pet costume contest kicking off at 6 p.m., where pet owners are encouraged to dress up their animals and join the competition. Dining options will feature authentic wood-fired pizza served on-site by Slice of Fire Pizza. Admission to Arts Afire is free, and additional information is available by calling the Center at 251-981-ARTS (2787).

A Pillar of the Island Community

Beyond hosting seasonal gatherings like Arts Afire, the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach serves as an enduring cultural pillar for the island community through its regular artistic events and year-round programming, which include glassblowing and pottery classes, acoustic concerts, and summer youth art camps.

The center's signature event, the Orange Beach Festival of Art, has been a cherished island community tradition for over 50 years, showcasing a diverse blend of visual, literary, performing, musical, and culinary arts. Over its multi-decade history, the Coastal Arts Center and its annual festival have received widespread acclaim and numerous prestigious awards, including:

• Best Art Festival in the Nation: Voted #1 in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
• Alabama Event of the Year: Recognized as the Tourism Event of the Year at the Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism.
• Best Art Show in Alabama: Awarded multiple times by regional publications.
• Regional Recognition: Frequent "Best of Baldwin" and "Best of 'Bama" honors for Best Art Gallery, Best Art Festival, and Best Event Venue.

Through these continuous artistic offerings, community-focused events, and national recognitions, the Coastal Arts Center remains a vital centerpiece of art and culture on the Gulf Coast.