GULF SHORES, Ala.  — The 41st Annual National Shrimp Festival™ presented by Zatarain’s is less than a week away, and while the Festival is widely known for its food, entertainment, shopping and arts, organizers haven’t forgotten the youngest generation.

This year’s edition of the Festival will include four days of fun for the young – and the young at heart.

“The Festival this year coincides with the fall break of many school systems,” Children’s Activity Village Chair Jodi Bogard said. “With that in mind we’ve ramped up many of our offerings in the CAV. We have a lot of new exhibitors, non-profit educational fun, interactive games for kids and their parents, free hands-on arts & crafts, and of course the free popcorn and snow cones.”

Produced by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Festival will take place Oct. 11-14 where Alabama 59 meets the Gulf.

The CAV is an area of the Festival that is set a short distance to the west from the main Festival grounds and is geared to entertaining youngsters.

“We are welcoming back The Babin House of Party to the CAV,” Bogard said. “They will entertain us Friday through Sunday this year with several new interactive games for the kids and adults alike. Be sure to take part in the parachute races, island limbo, balloon toss, and dance contest. They provide a healthy dose of fun for the whole family.”

Bogard said one of Babin’s most popular attractions from last year will be back as well.

“Don't miss their soon-to-be famous Candy Cannon,” she said. “It’s an air cannon that safely shoots hundreds of pieces of candy and toys into the air for the kids to catch.”

If art is more to your liking, Bogard said Babin also offers professional face-painting for both adults and kids.

“They amaze me with all their talent,” she said.

Along with the face-painting, those with an artistic bent can also take part in the annual sand sculpture contest. “We have several different categories, so whether you’ve never built as much as a sandcastle, or are a seasoned sand sculpture veteran, we have a category for you,” Contest Chairman John McCormick said.

Participants will be categorized by age, according to McCormick.

“Our youngest participants will be in the five-to-10-year-old contest. We have another category for participants 11 to 15 years-old and then our adult category for participants 16 and up.”

McCormick said a special category has been added this year.

“We have included a ‘Family’ category,” he said. “That’s for a team of up to four members that put together their best efforts for a $100 prize. This is the category that parents who wish to assist their children with their creations should enter.”

The sand sculpture contest will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday on the beach just south of the CAV.

"If you don’t know where to go for the contest, just stop at the information booth at the Festival’s main entrance, and they’ll get you pointed in the right direction,” McCormick said. “We’ll begin registering participants at 11 a.m. and then the awards ceremony will take place right after the judging at 3 p.m. We’re even giving away free sand buckets for everyone who enters the contest.”

Back at the CAV, Bogard said one of the things she is most excited about is a Jet Ski simulator that will be on site courtesy of the Alabama Marine Police.

“I can’t wait to try that out,” she said. The Marine Police will also be on hand to make photo identification cards for the kids.

Some of the fun the kids can have also has an environmental message.

“Outdoor Family Adventures will be bringing recycled trash that the kids can turn into art,” Bogard said. “What a fun way to learn about recycling and going green!”

Shrimp Fest veteran Tim Brown will run the DJ booth at the Village.

“Tim will introduce all our entertainment and we have the schedule jam-packed,” Bogard said. “We’ll have singers, dancers, gymnasts, a music theater group, and a taekwondo demonstration. Tim will also have karaoke for those who dare to sing in front of a crowd.”

According to Bogard, the CAV will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day of the Festival.

“There is so much more that I just can’t tell you everything,” she said. “So check out the Kids Page on the Shrimp Festival Website for all of the details and become a fan on Facebook!”

For a complete rundown of this year’s Festival, go to www.nationalshrimpfestival.com. While there, click on the Children’s Activity Village link for more details on family fun at the 41^st Annual National Shrimp Festival.