ORANGE BEACH, Alabama -- The city has begun to divvy up $500,000 in BP grant money it received for the promotion of Gulf Coast tourism and seafood. So far, most of the cash will help boost events slated for The Wharf from top-notch concerts to a new Gumbo Festival that officials hope will become the spring equivalent of the Shrimp Festival.
The Orange Beach City Council agreed this week to give up to $200,000 to the Wharf Amphitheater to attract more big-name entertainers and $115,000 split among the following events:
- $25,000 to Bulls on the Beach for events that begin in March at The Wharf. The bull-riding event was held for the first time in August last year.
- $25,000 for Wharf Boat and Yacht Show, April 25-28
- $15,000 for Bama Coast Cruise, April 25-27, at The Wharf
- $25,000 for first-ever Gumbo Festival, April 11-14, at The Wharf
- $10,000 for Orange Beach Billfish Classic, May 15-19, at The Wharf
- $15,000 for the Alabama Soccer Festival, Oct. 31-Nov. 3, held in conjunction with 2013 SEC Women’s Soccer Championship at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
Mayor Tony Kennon said the city will get a “good bang for our buck” through the support of these events. He said other money may be given out but this is where the city wants to start.
“These are events with history,” he said during Tuesday night’s meeting. “We know they’re coming. They’ve put up a lot of money already. The boat show spent $40,000 or $50,000 already in advertising. So the point being let’s get these out of the way. If there are others out there and there may be, I can entertain a conversation with them, or we can with them, and then make a decision.” Read More