It’s August and folks are already planning their fall weekend events.  I’ve had a ton of visitors on my blog to those particular sites from 2009 so here goes with an update for 2010.  It is a busy couple of months, from September through November.  I will post Thanksgiving through New Years’ events in a separate article.  For this fall I’m trying to squeeze in a 4H fundraiser, a trip to the beach, bird watching, a visit from my mom, maybe a football game at South Alabama and a visit from a friend in Sarasota so I can host a Premier Jewelry party.  Meanwhile, here’s what the month has forall of us. 

Baldwin County:

I guess Fall/Autumn (whatever you want to call it) starts on Labor Day.  You can hang out at the Wharf in Orange Beach for a night-time family concert.  www.thewharfal.com

Don’t forget First Friday Artwalk each month in Fairhope from 6pm-8pm.  You can get a map at the Art Center.

Fairhope is holding its 2nd Annual Elderberry Festival at the Fairhope Historical Museum on Saturday, September 4. The festival will celebrate the Elderberry, a lowland weed, prevalent everywhere in Baldwin County that sustained Indians, Colonials, Pioneers and Single Taxers with folk remedies, jams, jellies, pies, baked goods and wines. 

Corn Maze in Magnolia Springs.  You’ve got to go to this maze…Last year the maze was a train engine and a zig-zag maze.  I’m told its a different design this year.  Can’t wait for the challenge.  It was so fun getting lost.  Picture this: a couple of moms laughing hysterically because we couldn’t find our way out.  There were lots of dead ends and circles.  Our boys met us at the end.  Too fun!  They also have a hay ride and nighttime maze tours.  September 18-October 31.   www.magnoliacornmaze.com Info: 251-605-7216 (Personal note: highly recommended.) 

Sea Turtle Festival at Gulf State Park Pavilion (the first annual) is September 11.  www.alabamaseaturtles.com  Sorry but I just found out this was cancelled.

Coastal Cleanup is September 18.  www.alcoastalcleanup.com  Keep checking their website for a 2010 update

Jubilee Festival in Daphne: Sept 25 and 26 http://www.eschamber.com/area_jubilee.php

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

Wales West Light Railway Pumpkin Patch Express: September 28 through October 30.  www.waleswest.com

Elberta Corn Maze’s Maizing Family Fun Farm continues October 1 until October 31. www.elbertacornmaze.com

Baldwin County Fair September 29 through October 3: www.baldwinfair.com

Fridays throughout the month, Faulkner State hosts a brown bag concert on its campus in Fairhope.  On Thursdays go to May Day Park in Daphne.  Bring lawn chairs and lunch.  Info: 251-621-2702

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

Blakeley Bluegrass Festival:  www.blakeleypark.com

National Shrimp Festival:  www.nationalshrimpfestival.com

Bird banding at Ft. Morgan State Park: Every morning between October 9-21 from pre-dawn to mid-afternoon.  The event is free but there is a charge to the Park.  Please check their website for info on their location.  It’s still at Ft. Morgan but in a different area due to the oil spill cleanup.  http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/CalendarOfEvents.html  

Alabama Coastal Bird Fest: October 14-17.  Check out all of their scheduled events.   www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com 

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

Grand Festival of Art by the Bay:  Fairhope www.esartcenter.com

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

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge  open house is usually the end of the month.  I can’ t find a date yet and will have to call for info.  Stay tuned.  (251) 540-7720

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

Polo at the Point:  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. www.alabama5rivers.com

If you’re a pet owner/lover take Fido to the Wharf in Orange Beach October 30th 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 (putt putt and ice cream) in Spanish Fort  had a party last year.  Check out their facebook page for updates on events or call 251-625-4808

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

Mobile County:

University of South Alabama Jaguar Football:  for a schedule of this winning team check out http://usajaguars.com/schedule.aspx?path=football

BayFest Music Festival:  www.bayfest.com

Night at the Museum:  http://www.museumofmobile.com/annual_evnts.php

Greater Gulf State Fair:  www.mobilefair.com

Woofstock:  (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):  www.bellingrath.org

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

Stay tuned for more events as I find them.