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October--A Time of Festivals and Celebrations

© Martine G. Bates

October is a great time of year in the Southeastern U.S. The weather begins to cool, the sky is a rich blue, and the leaves in mountainous areas turn such intense colors that it almost hurts to look at them. Perhaps because winter is approaching and our opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities is limited, there is a frantic rush in October to cram in as many festivals and celebrations as possible. From the North Carolina mountains to the Gulf Coast, there is no shortage of great things to do in October.

Speaking of the Gulf Coast, one of my favorite celebrations is the Shrimp Festival at Gulf Shores. Held every year the second week in October, this year’s is the 30th annual Shrimp Festival. The public beach will be turned into one huge party area for the event, which is always well attended. Parking is always a problem, but the city does a good job providing shuttles from several key points; the shuttles are frequent and well run, so don’t worry about trying to find a place to park at the beach.

Two things stand out about the Shrimp Festival: the music and the food. Two stages provide a constant variety of entertainment—there was a little controversy a while back, but that seems to have been resolved. Organizers seem to have worked hard to please everybody with the timing and the kinds of acts appearing. And the FOOD! If you don’t leave the festival satisfied—actually, holding your sides and groaning—it’s because you ran out of money. The smells from the open-air tents are tempting; the worst part about eating here is that you can’t eat everything.

Don’t go without reservations. While you can usually find a place to stay at the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area, I wouldn’t risk it during the Shrimp Festival.

For more information, including a schedule of events, check out www.nationalshrimpfestival.com.

Another can’t-miss event in October is Cullman’s Oktoberfest. Cullman is in the northern part of Alabama, about 50 miles south of the Tennessee line. A large portion of Cullman’s population is of German ancestry, so the Oktoberfest Celebration is a natural for the area.

This year’s Oktoberfest runs from October 6-14. Events include lots of German food at various restaurants around the city, live entertainment, art shows, a German cooking contest, tours of homes, churches, and the historic district, and a Burgermeister’s Ball.

Cullman is an enchanting town filled with great architecture and lots of history, and a visit here is a treat any time. During Oktoberfest, it just gets better!

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