ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Orange Beach kicked off the “25 Days of Celebration” leading up to the birthday celebration on August 29 by presenting the 25-year milestone proclamation to Margaret Long, the citizen representative to accept the proclamation. The presentation was the official start of the month-long celebration

“I do want to say that we have been working on this celebration for two and a half months, and this is going to be a fantastic 25-day event,” Long said. “We have some outstanding employees that are working really, really hard in helping to put this event together.”

Kids Night Out was the first event of many, scheduled each day throughout the 25-day period.

“As we move forward, there is a whole slate of activities that we hope the community will get involved in,” said Ken Grimes, City Administrator.

“There is something going on literally every day through the month of August, culminating with our big “Block Party” celebration on the 29th.”

The block party, which will be held at the City’s Municipal Complex, will include food, music, children’s games and activities, demonstrations, and historical remembrances, and will coincide with Baldwin County’s Bicentennial celebration.

Some of the historical displays on hand will be from the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History, the City of Gulf Shores, the Town of Perdido Beach, the City of Foley and CVB, Weeks Bay Watershed Wagon, a Baldwin County World War II exhibit, and a display from the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

Kids’ activities will include inflatables, face paintings, Alligator Alley will have a gator to touch, crafts and games, and something special from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

This week’s “25 Days of Celebration” events

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - National Recreation Trail Dedication Media Day, Back Country Trailhead, Orange Beach Sportsplex. Call 981-1063 for details. Noon - Bike or Hike Lunch and Learn at the pavilion on the Back Country Trail. Bring your own lunch and walk or ride your bike to the pavilion where the butterfly garden is located. The topic will be Geo Caching. Call 981-1063 for info.

Thursday: 6 p.m. - Local’s Night at Live Bait at the Wharf. The theme is Nautical, so everyone wear your boating gear. Call 224-2248 for additional information.

Friday: All Day - Orange Beach Spirit Day. Everyone wear your Orange Beach T-shirt to work. 6 p.m. - Tennis Social at the Orange Beach Tennis Center. Call 974-6387 for details.

Saturday: 10th Annual Mystics of Pleasure Poker Run. Portion of proceeds are to benefit the Orange Beach Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. $6,000 in Prize Money. Call 269-6565 for more information.