Football Season Starts Early at SEC BeachFest

Get fired up and get a head start on football season at the second annual SEC BeachFest, scheduled for August 15, 16, 17, and 18 in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In addition to appearances by football greats Gene Stallings, Vince Dooley, and Phillip Fulmer, activities at this championship celebration include 5K and one-mile fun runs, a golf tournament, live music, and fishing tournaments for adults and kids. Other famous coaches making appearances include Billy Brewer (Ole Miss), Bill Curry (Kentucky), Pat Dye (Auburn), Bobby Johnson (Vanderbilt), Houston Nutt (Ole Miss), R. C. Slocum (Texas A & M), and Jerry Stovall (LSU). Several former players, including Auburn’s Ben Leard and Florida’s Chris Doering, will also be on hand to sign autographs, make predictions regarding the upcoming season, and just generally talk about football. The fun kicks off on Thursday, August 15, with the Golf Scramble, which runs for three consecutive days during BeachFest. Hosting the golfers are Craft Farms, Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, and Gulf Shores Golf Club. The top qualifying teams will play the finals at Kiva Dunes. The winning team will receive a trip for eight to the SEC Football Championship in Atlanta. On Friday, local restaurants will host Alumni Happy Hours from 5 to 8 p.m. Auburn fans will meet at the Compleat Angler Seafood Grille and Bar, SEC East fans at Baumhower’s Restaurant, and Alabama fans at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina. Free concerts will star Marc Broussard, performing his signature mix of funk, rock, and blues (Friday at 8 p.m.), and country singer Rodney Atkins (Saturday at 8 p.m.). Open all three days is the FanZone, offering exhibits, beach football, beach volleyball, corn hole competitions, and more. There will be an ongoing program of talk show-type interviews with the coaches and players. Saturday activities include the 5K and fun run (starting at 8 and 9 a.m., respectively) and the adults’ SEC BeachFest Fishing Challenge (7 to 11 a.m., with a weigh-in party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Young anglers get a chance to show off their skills on Sunday in the Kids’ Pier Fishing Tournament. Hours for the kids’ tournament are 9 to 11 a.m. Weekend tickets for SEC BeachFest cost $25. Other ticket options, including a VIP ticket with plenty of extra perks, are also available. For more information, to order tickets, and to sign up for the golf, races, or fishing competitions, visit www.secbeachfest.com. And for recommendations on places to stay and the best spots to eat, check out our links to Gulf Shores vacation rentals, Gulf Shores restaurants, Orange Beach vacation rentals, Orange Beach restaurants, Perdido Key vacation rentals, and Perdido Key Restaurants.

Published on Wednesday, July 10, 2013