Baldwin County Fair

Times vary, Sept. 27-Oct. 1

Prices vary

19477 Fairground Road, Robertsdale

The theme of this year's fair will be "Spirit of America-Energizing Baldwin County" highlighting the use of energy in various forms and the evolution of energy in the last 100 years.

Smoke on the Mountain play

7:30 p.m. Sept. 30-Oct. 1

Tickets: adults $18 and students $12

South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2022 West 2nd Ave, Gulf Shores

For more, call 968-6721or visit www.sbct.biz.

The year is 1938. It's a Saturday night in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, and the Reverend Oglethorpe has invited the Sanders Family Singers to provide an upliftin' evening of singin' and witnessin'. The audience is invited to pull up a pew and join in the rollicking good time.

Ride for Wishes

5 p.m. Sept. 30, 7:30 a.m. Oct. 1 & 2

$30.00 to ride, free to spectators.

Ride begins and ends at the Wharf

For more, call 205 254-9474, email jsweeney@ga-al.wish.org or visit rideforwishes.com.

The Ride For Wishes 2011 is a two-day cycling event that will feature riding distances for all levels of cyclist- from a 17 mile fun loop to a true Century ride.

Butterfly Tours

By appointment, Oct. 1

Free, reservations required

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

For more, or to sign-up for a tour, please contact Sean Williams, park ranger, Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at 540-8525 or email sean_williams@fws.com. For more about the refuge, visit http://www.fws.gov/bonsecour.

Beginner and experienced lepidopterists, young and old, are welcome to come out and enjoy the beauty of butterflies. The tours are limited to 12 people per tour and each tour will consist of a 2 hour round trip walk down one of our trails. We request at least 24 hours notice for cancellations.

Football viewing

1-5 p.m. Oct. 1

Free

Tacky Jacks, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach locations

For more, call 968-8341 or 981-4144.

Wales Wes Pumpkin Patch Express and Ghoul Family Night Trains

Oct. 1-31, Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m.; weekends, 1 to 9 p.m.; Scary Night Trains, Oct. 15-31, Thursday through Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. 

$12 per person, plus tax, free for children 1 and younger

Take Baldwin County 9, one and a half miles south of Baldwin County 48, two and a half miles north of Baldwin County 32, Silverhill.

For more, call 888-569-5337, visit www.waleswest.com or access the Wales West page on Facebook and Twitter.

Activities include steam train ride, haunted maze, pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, miniature train ride, refreshments and much more.

Breakfast with the Superintendent, “The State of Baldwin County Public Schools”

8 a.m. Oct. 4

$10

The Gift Horse, 209 W. Laurel Ave., Foley

Call the Chamber office at 943-3291 to make your reservation or Jeanette@southbaldwinchamber.com.

Beer, Karaoke and Bingo

6-9 p.m. Oct 4

Free

Tacky Jacks, 1577 Alabama 180, Gulf Shores

For more, call 968-8341.

Navigating Social Networks Class

10:30 a.m. Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Sept. 20

Free

Thomas B. Norton Library in Gulf Shores

For more, email thomasbnortonlibrary@gmail.com or call 968-1176.

Learn how to use Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ the smart way. Sign-up requested.

Mango Languages Class

4 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26

Free

Contact thomasbnortonlibrary@gmail.com or call 251.968.1176 for details. 

Thomas B. Norton Library in Gulf Shores. Come learn about our  language learning database, Mango Languages!  Over 20 different courses in world languages are available for English speakers, along with a wide array of English courses for non-native speakers.

Bud Smith live music

5:30-9:30 p.m. Oct 6

Free

Tacky Jacks, Orange Beach

For more, call 981-4144 .

Open Mic

5:30-9:30 p.m. Oct 6

Free

Tacky Jacks, Gulf Shores

For more, call 968-8341.

9th annual Thunder On The Gulf

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 6-9

Free to Public. VIP Passes available for purchase- $100 each, plus tax.

Gulf State Park Pavilion, Orange Beach

For more, call 866-954-7223 or visit thunderonthegulf.com.

Race Village will be at the State Park Pavilion. This family-friendly event will allow race fans to observe monster race boats and their teams, let the kids play at the Kids Pavilion, purchase official race merchandise and check out the vendors.

Chas Baker live music

5:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 7

Free

Tacky Jacks, Orange Beach

For more, call 981-4144 .

High Tide live music

10 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 7

Free

Tacky Jacks, Gulf Shores

For more, call 968-8341.

Denim and Diamonds Drawdown

6-10:30 p.m. Oct. 7

Tickets are $50 and can be bought from any Siren krewe member or by calling ticket chairperson Annette Mitchell at 980-5529

Orange Beach Community Center

The Sirens of the Sea, ladies Mardi Gras krewe, is planning its annual event with a  portion of the proceeds going to the Siren Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to a high school senior and to Mary’s Shelter. Tickets include a fun-filled evening with dinner, door prizes, music and a chance at $5,000.

The Pleasure Island Poker Run

Oct. 8

The run will start in Orange Beach, Alabama and run to Navarre Beach, Florida.

Orange Beach

For more, visit thePleasureIslandPokerRun.com.

The Pleasure Island Poker Run returns for the 2011 Thunder on the Gulf World Champion Weekend. The Mystical Order of Mirams’ Poker Run will allow Thunder on the Gulf participants a chance to run the event for a great cause.

22nd Annual Lost Bay Regatta

1 p.m. Oct. 8 race begins

Entry fee TBA

Pirate's Cove Marina, Josephine

For more, call 981-4632 or visit pointyachtclub.org/.

All pre-race registration and celebration will be held at the Point Yacht Club facilities. The race is open to monohull sailboats 20 ft. or longer. Friday night music 7-10 p.m.

Fall Bird Banding Session

Before dawn until 3-5 p.m. Oct. 8-20

Admission to Fort: $5:00 adults, $3:00 children 6-12, free to younger children. Banding is free.

Fort Morgan Historic Site, Gulf Shores

For more, call 800-745-SAND or visit hummingbirdsplus.org.

The Alabama Gulf Coast is a critical stopover point as migratory birds return from Central and South America. Banding hours are from before dawn to mid-afternoon, depending on the flow of birds. Bring a lawn chair, binoculars and inquisitive mind but leave the pets at home.

40th annual National Shrimp Festival

10a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 13-16

Free to public

Main Public Beach, 3150 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

For more, call 968-4237, email shrimpfestival@gulftel.com or visit nationalshrimpfestival.com.

Savor fresh from the gulf seafood at the 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival during this four-day event that attracts over 300,000 people. Peruse through the wares of 300-plus vendors showcasing their fine art and crafts, and kick back to the continuous tunes from the two musical stages. Little ones will love the Children’s Activity Village.

Shrimp Festival 10K Run

8 a.m. Oct. 15

$25 if postmarked after September 30, 2011, $15 for students (age 18 & under) until race day, $30 on race day

Race begins and ends at the Orange Beach Sportsplex located at 4385 William Silvers Parkway, Orange Beach

For more, call 948-5000, email frankmalone@gulftel.com, or visit nationalshrimpfestival.com.

10K race for all ages, plus 5K run or walk! Don't miss the excitement and fun, sign up today! A portion of the proceeds to benefit local schools!

IFA Redfish Tour Gulf Division Fishing Tournament

3 p.m. Oct. 15

Free to public

Caribe Resort

For more, call 870-431-8495, email bs@palmerconrad.com or visit redfishtour.com.

Come watch as anglers compete against one another to catch the "big one". Weigh-in begins on Saturday at 3pm, from Outcast Charters at Caribe Resort.

O.A.R. concert

Oct. 20

$25

The Hangout, 101 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL

For more, call 948-3030 or visit thehangoutal.com.

The Gulfcoast Golf ExpoTee Off Tournament

Oct. 21

$99

520 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores

www.rvexpo.net

Fee includes tournament, cart, lunch, surprise grab bag, unlimited range balls, and a 2-day VIP expo admission ticket to The Gulfcoast Golf Expo at the Wharf, October 22-23.

Gulf Coast Golf Expo

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 22-23

Admission: $6.00. Parking is free.

23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach

For more, visit rvexpo.net.

Joe Rock band of Pensacola

Oct. 28

Free

Mud Bugs, 624 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

For more, call 981-8081.

Mud Bugs also offers UFC pay-per-view fights and live music.

The Original German Sausage Festival

Oct. 29

Free to public

Elberta Town Park

For more, call 986-5805 or visit sausagefest.elbertafire.com.

Halloween Family Fun Night and Panic Park Haunted Trail

6-8 p.m. Oct. 29

Free admission. Carnival Games Tickets: 50 cents each. Haunted Trail $2.00 per person.

Bodenhamer Center, 310 West 19th Avenue, Gulf Shores

For more, call 968-4420 or visit gulfshoresal.gov/parksandrec/index.html.

11th annual Halloween Party

Oct. 31

Free

Mud Bugs, 624 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

For more, call 981-8081.

Mud Bugs also offers UFC pay-per-view fights and live music.

Fashion Show charity event

Nov. 3

$25

Orange Beach Community Center

The event will also include a silent auction, raffle and door prizes along with celebrity waiters. Tables may be reserved. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Christian Service Center, The Lighthouse and Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast.

Committee positions available for Relay for Life

Event will be held 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Nov. 18.

Free

Central Baldwin High School

For more, email carolyn.kinney@cancer.org, call Tiffany Lynn, 989-6935 or call Jessica Devine, 947-7378.

Donations for South Baldwin Center for Technology's Horticulture/Agriscience

It is starting an aquaculture unit as part of a Fish and Wildlife management class. The plan is to raise Gulf killifish (bull minnows). In order to do this, they need aquariums. If anyone has an unwanted aquarium they would like to donate, please contact Jeff Kelley at 947-5041. They are also accepting donations that will matched through a grant. To see more information about this please visit http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1031511.-2008491786.

Blues, Booze & BBQ—Music by The Blues Birds

4 p.m. every Sunday

Free

Behind the Pines Bar & Grill, 8818 Fort Morgan Rd. (Hwy 180) 12.8 miles west of Hwy 59, Gulf Shores

For more, call 948-3052 or visit behindthepines.com.

Karaoke

9 p.m. every night

Free

Mud Bugs, 624 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

For more, call 981-8081.

Midnight Confessions live band and dancing

7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Free

Nolans Restaurant and Lounge, 1140 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

For more, call 948-2111.

Smokey Otis live music

9 p.m., then D.J. 1-3 a.m. every Monday

$5

Mudbugs, 624 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

For more, call 981-8081.

Make Your Own Suncatcher

4 p.m. every Tuesday

$20-$35

Orange Beach Art Center.

For more, call 981-2787 or visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.

By arranging colored cut glass pieces on a clear square of glass your design will be fused overnight and the next day your creation will be ready to pick up. The make your own classes last 10-20 minutes.

Hot Glass Mementos

4 p.m. every Wednesday

$20-$35

Orange Beach Art Center

For more, call 981-2787 or visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.

After pressing an object into a box of sand, the glass artist will pour molten glass into the form. After annealing overnight you will pick up your sand casting. The make your own classes last 10-20 minutes.

Live music

11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday

Free

The Keg Lounge, 26796 Canal Road, Orange Beach

For more, call 981-9462.

Live music, karaoke and happy hour

Karaoke 8 p.m. every Friday, live music 8 p.m. every Saturday, happy hour 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday

Free; $2 domestic beer

Snapper’s Lounge, 25637 Canal Road, Orange Beach

For more, call 981-4699.

Wine Tastings

5-7 p.m. every Saturday

Free

Grape Escape Deli and Wine Cellar, Winn Dixie shopping center, Orange Beach

For more, call 980-3354.

*For updated calendar listings, see The Islander newspaper.

**For ongoing, club and exercise events; golf courses; marinas; restaurant guide; and church listings, visit our Web site—BaldwinCountyNow.com.