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A Work of Art with a 121
By R. Ken Cooper June 13, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Every July, Orange Beach becomes the center of the big-game fishing world. The Blue Marlin Grand Championship, held at The Wharf Marina, draws elite crews from across the Gulf to compete for a purse that topped $1.8 million in 2025. It's a tournament that blends serious competition with a c
Ashley McDonald grabs a selfie as she and the team from Dauphin Island Sea Lab start to harvest.
By R. Ken Cooper, from David Rainer’s article in Outdoor Alabama June 13, 2026
Fort Morgan, Ala. — (OBA) — A first-of-its-kind fish-farming project off the Alabama coast has reached a major milestone. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab recently harvested its first batch of redfish from an offshore aquaculture platform. The platform sits about two miles off the tip of the Fort Morgan peninsula in the Gul
Foley Elks Lodge Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary
By R. Ken Cooper June 13, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Foley Elks Lodge invites the public to a Flag Day ceremony at 2621 S. Juniper St. in Foley to mark America's 250th anniversary. The event will feature a formal ceremony, food, and a look at the history of 27 versions of the American flag. National Flag Day is observed each year on the anniver
Orange Beach Performing Arts Center Stock Image
By R. Ken Cooper June 12, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Performing Arts Center is hosting its first-ever summer theatre camp this July. The program, Coastal Spotlight, is open to students ages eight to 13. The camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event marks a new chapter in youth arts programming for Orange Be
Saturday is Free Fishing Day in Alabama
By R. Ken Cooper June 12, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources designates one Saturday each June as Free Fishing Day statewide. Gulf Coast anglers have a special reason to take notice this year. Free Fishing Day falls during Alabama's red snapper season, opening a rare window for saltwater fi
Foley's new Public Library will be open in early August.
By R. Ken Cooper June 12, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Foley Public Library is preparing to relocate to a brand-new facility this summer. The library will temporarily close to allow staff to transfer materials and set up operations at the new facility. The new location will offer residents a modern community library space. The move marks a signif
Stop by the Foley Main Street booth at Yabba's Wacky Snack Shack, 100 West Laurel Ave, to participat
By R. Ken Cooper June 11, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Downtown Foley is gearing up for a big summer. Foley Main Street is launching a new Downtown Foley Passport program at its upcoming Third Thursday event. The program offers visitors a fun way to explore local businesses and earn rewards. It also aligns with the nation's upcoming 250th birthday ce
2026 Independence Day Celebrations, recognizing the 250th Anniversary of the United States
By R. Ken Cooper June 11, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Communities across Alabama’s Gulf Coast are preparing for a special Independence Day celebration recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States, with Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley planning multi-day events centered on fireworks, public gatherings, and family activities expec
Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show takes place in July.
By R. Ken Cooper June 11, 2026
Pensacola Beach, Fla. — (OBA) — Pensacola Beach will host its 2026 air show this summer, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the center of the four-day event. The schedule includes practice flights, aerobatic acts, and the official show day. Organizers will highlight both the Blue Angels’ 80th anniversary and America’s
Perdido Key Chamber Leadership Program - Stock Image
By R. Ken Cooper June 10, 2026
Perdido Key, Fla. — (OBA) — The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce has opened applications for its 2026-2027 Leadership Perdido Key class. The program is among the area's top leadership development opportunities. It is designed to educate, inspire, and connect leaders across the Perdido Key community. Both current
Instructor Brock Harris & Student Walker Grogan
By John Mullen June 10, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores City Schools' groundbreaking aviation program will be featured on a segment of Alabama Public Television this summer. The segment is part of an annual effort by APT to showcase tech and trade school programs around the state, around the time of the Career Tech summer conference.
Flora-Bama Freedom Run is now in its 6th year
By R. Ken Cooper June 10, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Flora-Bama is preparing to celebrate America in a big way. The famous landmark on the Florida-Alabama state line is hosting its 6th Annual Freedom Run on Independence Day. The event features a 4-mile run and walk, plus a 1-mile fun run for those seeking a shorter distance. A portion of
Orange Beach Recreation Campus is Expanding
By R. Ken Cooper June 9, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials are moving forward with plans to expand and improve the city’s Recreation Campus. The site has grown significantly over the past two decades and now serves as a central hub for residents and visitors. City leaders say the goal is to better meet rising demand. Propose
Junior Angler Saltwater Championship Series - Stock Image
By John Mullen June 9, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – A new fishing tournament for high-school and middle-school-age kids will debut this summer with the Gulf of America Inshore Invitational. Teens in grades 9 through 12 are eligible for one division, and seventh- and eighth-graders for a second.
Downtown Foley Entertainment District
By Guy Busby June 9, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley's downtown Arts and Entertainment District is getting a visible upgrade. The Foley City Council has approved new pre-printed thermal markers to replace the old stenciled sidewalk signs. The markers will indicate where the district's boundaries begin and end. City leaders say the change sign
Happenings on the Gulf Coast This Week
By Jessica A. Taylor June 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — There’s just something about summer on the Alabama Gulf Coast that makes you want to slow down a little–even when things seem fast. Maybe it’s an old-fashioned milkshake served in a real glass dish, the rumble of the Blue Angels overhead, a plate of boiled shrimp shared picnic-style with f
Orange Beach City Hall
By John Mullen June 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The unpopular Pirate Dinner Theater project being considered for the current Beech’s Camper and Mobile Home Park hasn’t completely left the building. But it’s more than likely on the way out, even as it appears as a non-action item on an upcoming planning commission agenda.
One of the many types of reefs in Alabama's Reef Program. Photo by Walter Marine.
By R. Ken Cooper June 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — World Oceans Day is a global call to protect the sea and the life it supports. Oceans cover more than 70 percent of our planet and produce over half the oxygen we breathe. It feeds billions of people, drives weather patterns, and supports entire economies. The day is meant to remind people
Alabama Point at Perdido Pass
By R. Ken Cooper June 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach will see a large emergency response presence on Monday morning, but officials say there is no cause for concern. The activity will be part of a planned training exercise involving city agencies. It will take place at Alabama Point near the east jetties at Perdido Pass. The dri
Graham Creek Pavilion
By Guy Busby June 7, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is moving ahead with a series of improvements at its nature parks. The work includes new restrooms, a pavilion, and trail signs. City leaders also plan to seek grant funding for a boardwalk project at Wolf Creek Park. The projects are intended to make the parks more useful and accessible fo
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