GULF SHORES, Ala. — Shrimp Fest season has passed. Vendors have packed up their merchandise, tourists have checked out and gone home and Gulf Shores is left to count the money made and revel in the success.

Even with economic woes, the Festival attracted nearly 300,000 people over the four day festival.

Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce's special events director Don McPherson and Festival chairman Ron Kutter count that as a success.

“It was what we had hoped for,” McPherson said Thursday. “All of the ingredients came together.”

McPherson said that by 9 a.m. last Thursday people were already pouring into Gulf Place, and the Festival opened to a full house.

“There was no sign of a recession last weekend,” Kutter said. “There was no sign of a slowdown. People are still going to come to the beach to escape their everyday worries.”

An estimated 20 percent shortfall was projected this year because of the failing economy, but there is an expectation of only a three percent shortage, Gulf Shores Councilman Steve Jones announced at Monday’s council meeting.

The chamber started the Shrimp Festival as a way to promote the area and its local businesses during the seasonal slowdown that occurs every fall.

“The original reason for Shrimp Fest was to get the last shot for the small businesses in the area,” Kutter said.

McPherson said that with Hurricane Ike interrupting Labor Day this year, Shrimp Fest carried the torch to wrap up the season.

“It put the ending stamp on the season,” he said.

Both Kutter and McPherson said that the success was made possible because of the volunteer work that takes place during the weekend.

“Everybody’s got ownership in this thing including the community and the local market,” McPherson said.

The two credited so much support from the city of Gulf Shores, as well as Orange Beach, and Kutter said that The Hangout lent a major hand to the Festival.

With all of the chatter of success, the addition of Zatarain’s sponsorship can’t be disregarded, and Kutter said the company was pleased with the turnout. Zatarain’s sponsorship is a multi-year contract and will continue.

Attendance was up on Friday night due to country music star Jo Dee Messina, who was the most popular and current performer to ever grace a Shrimp Fest stage.

Kutter said that it brought people earlier to the Festival.

Gulf Shores Revenue officer Marcia Ward said that sales tax is only five percent less than last year.

Ward collected most taxes on Sunday afternoon, which some local vendors will file on their monthly taxes. She said that most were positive with the turnout and the amount of business they did.

An interesting observation Ward made was that the taxes fell a bit short this year, however, she estimated there were twice as many people in attendance and the price of items increased.

With this year over and done with, Kutter and McPherson are already cooking up next year’s festivities.

“Each year we try to make sure we deliver,” McPherson said.

“We want to over deliver to the sponsors and to the patrons,” Kutter said.