GULF SHORES, Ala. – Gulf Shores Councilman Steve Jones, who also serves as co-chairman of concessions at the National Shrimp Festival, doesn’t know if the 40th event was a success, but he has a pretty good idea.

“If the Shrimp Festival was as successful as I am tired, it was tremendous,” Jones said. “Since it was the 40th Annual we planned for it and hoped it would exceed all previous festivals and although the results have not been tallied yet, all indications are that we accomplished our goal.”

Jones said that success stems from several things. The cadre of volunteers needed to run the festival and the help of various city departments.

“As usual, our Public Works Department, as well as Police and Fire/EMS, of course, performed magnificently,” Jones said. “Andy Bauer, our City Liaison, and Noel Hand from Public Works were on the ground before, during, and after hours. We had a team of city employees operate one of the concessions shifts and scores of other city employees volunteered time off the clock to assist with retail and concessions.

“Of course Sunday afternoon, the City Revenue staffers were on site to collect taxes due and they performed well as usual.”

A visit from Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley was a highlight of the festival as well.

“He and his wife spent several hours in the site visiting with people, talking with volunteers and making purchases,” Jones said. “He seemed genuinely impressed with everything and it turns out he is only the second sitting Governor to visit the Festival in over two decades.”