October Events ~ The Southern Scoop’s Area Highlights
October is just a week away, and with a new month comes fun new events! From fishing rodeos to seafood festivals and 5Ks to help you prep for the holidays, October events are happening at every turn! Even if you’ve visited the area before, you may discover something new and exciting! Check out some of our favorite October events below for fun things to do on your Gulf Coast vacation.
70th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo
This historic Destin, Florida event is just a week away! Discover why Destin is known as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” at the 70th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. The rodeo is Destin’s most popular event, taking place during the entire month of October. Anglers of all ages are invited to participate! Weigh-ins are free and open to the public at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar from 10 AM – 7 PM each day. In addition to weigh-ins, the Destin Fishing Rodeo also features fun events including “Shark Saturday,” where cash prizes are awarded for the largest shark caught each Saturday during the festival! The Fall Fest takes place on October 9th from 12-1 PM, with fun activities including face painting, arts and crafts, and pumpkin decorating. Meanwhile, the Destin Seafood Festival is a great companion event to the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Enjoy fresh local seafood, live music, and family fun!
Pensacola Songwriter’s Festival
From October 3-7, enjoy live music on Pensacola Beach, Florida from some of the country’s best songwriters at the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival. At the festival, take in the great music and stories behind some of your favorite top hits. You’ll also enjoy delicious food and drinks with the Gulf of Mexico in the background! Unlike any other music festival, the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival offers the opportunity to connect with the individuals who brought your favorite songs to life. Additionally, the festival aims to educate children about the importance of music through the non-profit organization Pensacola Beach Songfest. At the festival, children are encouraged to participate in songwriting and even take to the stage to perform their songs.
47th Annual National Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival
We love our seafood festivals down on the Gulf Coast! From October 11th-14th, head down to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for the 4th Annual National Shrimp Festival. Drawing in over 300,000 individuals for the event, enjoy fresh Gulf seafood, live music, and outdoor fun. Sample over 200lbs of shrimp each day at one of the festival’s many tasting tents! Live music includes blues, southern rock, jazz, and more! You must check out the sandcastle sculpture contest and singing competitions during the festival. As an added bonus, enjoy free admission for the whole family!
3rd Annual 30A Half Marathon and 5K
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better way to prepare than with the 3rd Annual 30A Half Marathon and 5K on Sunday, October 14th? The race takes you through gorgeous WaterColor, beginning and ending at Gulf Place. The half marathon showcases 13 miles of scenic Florida coastline, with a shorter route offered in the 5K. In addition to the race, you’ll also have the opportunity to partake in some pre-race fun with a barbecue festival and race expo!
The 30A BBQ Festival takes place on Friday, October 12th from 6-9 PM at Marina Park. Racers attend the festival for free, while public admission is just $30. At the festival, enjoy delicious local barbecue and craft beer along with live music. Then, the packet pickup, race expo, and silent auction occurs Saturday, October 13th from 10 AM – 6 PM. Head down to The Gulf to grab your race bib, t-shirt, goodie bag, and more! A silent auction will also be held that night, with proceeds benefitting The Sonder Project.
11th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival
Calling all craft beer lovers and foodies alike! The 11th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival takes place October 12-13 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Destin, Florida – you don’t want to miss out! With over 40 on-site craft brewers, seminars, samplings and more, it’s easy to tell why this is the Best Beer Fest on the Emerald Coast! On Friday, October 12, enjoy samplings from local breweries at “Beer From Around Here.” Then, on Saturday, October 13, check out the VIP event for exclusive beer tastings and delicious cuisine from Marlin Grill. A Grand Tasting takes place after the VIP event, with craft and domestic beers to choose from! Dance the day away to live music on both days.
Haven’t booked your spot on the sand yet? Make your fall break dreams come true with a sweet Southern stay! From vacation homes on 30A to that Gulf-front condo in Orange Beach, we’ve got something for everyone.
We hope you enjoyed learning about some October events across all our areas. Meanwhile, our Gulf Coast Event Calendar is the perfect place to learn about fun events in Destin, Pensacola Beach, Gulf Shores, and more. We’ve got you covered from Panama City Beach, Florida, to Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan, Alabama. Thank you for being a part of the Southern family, and we’ll see you next month with another Southern Scoop!
