CHECK OUT AN UPDATED BLOG FOR 2010 ON MY HOMEPAGE: https://lifealongthegulfcoast.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/autumn-in-bald…county-al-2010/

Can you believe it’s October already?  Where did the time go?  Fall came and I didn’t even look at the calendar that week to notice.  Of course I do notice that most trees in Fairhope are Live Oak or Pine so there will be a lot of green remaining this fall and winter.  Trees have starting changing up north; my brother-in-law sent me a picture of the colors surrounding Lake Anne in Reston, VA.   The other trees here (you know…the ones that do change to magnificent color in the fall) are dropping leaves but they’re already brown and dead.  I do expect that is the exception so I’ll forget about all those Pin Oak trees in my neighborhood that are losing brown leaves and wait for that seasonal paintbrush to  color what remains.  This October’s events list is simply that: a list of what’s happening without the editorial.  I’ve provided websites so you can look up the information you need if you’re interested.  There’s a lot to do in both Baldwin County and Mobile County so I’ve listed for both; Mobile is just a bridge length away so why not include some fun stuff over there as well? 

I’ll be at the birding events, and probably the sausage festival.  I think my husband and youngest son would like to go to that one so we’ll hang out with them.  I can definitely say that with bird migration underway, we’ll be taking our classroom outdoors this month.  Since moving here we’re anxiously awaited this time of year; we’re under a huge fly-way and want to spot as many birds for our Life List as we can while we live here.  That’s been one of the fun things about moving around the country.  Some folks have to save their money and take vacations and long weekend trips to do their birdwatching; we just move. 

There’s a Honeybee Festival this month.  Eating local honey is so good for you.  From what I understand it helps you combat the local allergens by boosting your immune system.  We always buy local honey.  That might be a fun festival to go to; educational, too.

Here’s the list of what’s happening around the area.  If you know of something I don’t, send me a comment and I’ll post it.  Have fun.

Baldwin County:

Rock Creek Community Yard Sale: October 3, 8am to noon.  Rock Creek is at the Fairhope/Montrose line on the east side of Hwy 98. 

Baldwin County Fair: through October 3  www.baldwinfair.com

Thursdays and Fridays throughout the month, Faulkner State hosts a brown bag concert.  Bring lawn chairs and lunch.  Info: 251-438-5460

Honeybee Festival: October 3 http://www.robertsdale.org/publicsafety/vfd/events.html

Blakeley Bluegrass Festival: October 3 www.blakeleypark.com

National Shrimp Festival: October 8-11 www.nationalshrimpfestival.com

My youngest son turns 13 October 8!  Now my home is “filled” with teenagers; there are only two.

Corn Maze in Magnolia Springs begins October 9. Thursday and Friday 4-8pm; Saturday 11am-9pm; Sunday 1-6pm. Info: 251-605-7216  Edited October 25, 2009: We went to the corn maze today and had a blast.  I hope you get a chance to go.  There are two mazes: a criss-cross running maze and one shaped like a tractor with lots of dead ends, left or right decisions and loops.  It took us a solid hour to go through it.  We actually had gotten so turned around that we found our way back out the entrance and went in through the exit to finish the maze.  There are 5 things in the maze you need to find, mark on a card that you are given at the entrance and return the card for the chance at a prize.  We really enjoyed ourselves and highly recommend it. 

Bird banding at Ft. Morgan State Park: Every morning between October 10 and 22 from pre-dawn to mid-afternoon.  The event is free but there is a charge to the Park. http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/CalendarOfEvents.html   Update: if you can make this event, GO.  We went on a warm day and saw two birds banded.  I got to hold one.  With the cold front there should be a great amount of birds to be seen.  I heard a bunch of western strays were banded.  I don’t know which ones but I wish I had been there.  I might make another trip tomorrow.  Have fun.

Alabama Coastal Bird Fest: October 15-19 check out all of their scheduled events   www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com  Updated October 17: if you still have time after reading this to go, then head over to the bird festival at Faulkner State in Fairhope.  We saw a raptor exhibit, got birdhouse kits from the Boy Scouts, made suette, was given a bird nesting box and bird seed, free bird posters, pencils, and there are plenty of other cool exhibits and things to purchase.  There is a touch tank of marine life and caged birds (including a Pileated Woodpecker) to view and learn about.  Dauphin Island Sea Lab has a touch exhibit of sea creatures as well.  Go…have fun!

Mullet Run: October 17 Fairhope http://www.fairhopemulletrun.com/ 

Grand Festival of Art by the Bay: October 17-18 Fairhope www.esartcenter.com

March For Babies: October 24 Spanish Fort: www.marchforbabies.org

October 24: FREE event:   REFUGE OPEN HOUSE  from 9am-1pm at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge  offering free guided nature walks and boat tours. You can stop by any of 3 locations on Saturday:   The refuge office (on Hwy 180, 7.5 mi. west of Hwy. 59) where they will be showing a 15 min. film on the National Wildlife Refuge System; The Canal Park boat launch (on the south side of the Intracoastal Waterway under the Hwy.59 bridge), where they will leave for a 30 min. boat tour to see the Sand Bayou Unit of the refuge; The Pine Beach Trail (1.5 mi. west of the refuge office), where they will be offering guided nature walks at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00.  Children are welcome. (251) 540-7720

German Sausage Festival: October 31 Elberta  www.sausagefest.elbertafire.com

Polo at the Point: October 23-25 Point Clear www.poloatthepoint.com

Halloween Day events on the Eastern Shore: 

There is a local magazine called “This That and the Other”. They’re sponsoring an Autumn Bash as a fundraising event for Mercy Medical.  It’s scheduled for 1-5pm at the Eastern Shore Center Fountain.

5 Rivers is holding an event from noon-5pm. www.alabama5rivers.com

If you’re a pet owner/lover take Fido to the Wharf in Orange Beach for  the Howl-o-Ween Spooky Pooch Parade & Costume Contest. Categories include best trick, pet/ower look-a-like, best kisser, biggest dog and smallest dog and best costume.   Raffle tickets for vendor prizes; proceeds go to BARCPet Adoption and Rabies/Microchip Clinic set up (251) 224-1012.

Putters Dream in Spanish Fort is having a Halloween party from 11am to 6pm: 625-4808

 Here’s a cool pumpkin and Halloween website for Alabama: http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/ALpmobile.php

Mobile County:

BayFest Music Festival: October 7-4 www.bayfest.com

Mobile Symphony: October 17 Halloween Pops 251-432-7080

Night at the Museum: October 23 www.museumofmobile.com

Greater Gulf State Fair: October 23-Nov 1: www.mobilefair.com

Woofstock: October 25 (a costume party for your dog; my dog would spend most of her time trying to get the thing off)  www.woofstockmobile.com

Mum Festival (Mobile): October 25-November 25 www.bellingrath.org

Bellingrath Gardens is also having an event for the little ones starting at 5pm with reduced admission charge.  See web address above.

On the 27th from 7-8pm you can go to the Environmental Studies Center on Girby Road and participate in SKYWATCH.  Observe the moon, open star clusters, nebula and more with the Mobile Astronomical Society.  Its free and open to the public.