Annual National Shrimp Festival

05/14/2026

🎉 Congratulations Junior Leadership Coastal Alabama graduates!

Along with building leadership skills and touring local industries/organizations, these 30 students are part of the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time to help our festival run smoothly. The Junior Leadership students help run our bike valet station and collect tips to go towards their program.

We thank you all for your hard work and wish you a great future!

05/11/2026

🍤 News Release: Tara McMeans Wins Shrimp Festival Poster Contest for Second Time

Gulf Shores, Ala. - Gulf Shores-based artist Tara McMeans has been named the winner of the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival poster contest, organizers announced today.

The win marks the second time McMeans has won the contest, having entered for more than a decade. A graphic designer since 2000, McMeans holds a degree in commercial art from Faulkner State, now Coastal Alabama Community College, and is the owner of Design, Print, Promote.

This year’s contest received a record 44 entries, with artists representing Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Italy, Louisiana and Mississippi. A group of 40 committee members and judges met to conduct the evaluation process on April 21, and in the end McMeans’ design was victorious.

“The variety and creativity of this year’s entries were incredible,” festival Chairman Rob Barnas said. “We’re especially proud to see a talented local artist like Tara win and represent the festival with her work.”

The poster is a mixed media collage layering old sheet music with newspaper clippings referencing the Shrimp Festival over the past decade. Torn paper and magazine cutouts form the lettering, while a shrimp serves as the focal point, which McMeans created with a palette knife using layered watercolor and acrylic paints.

“This year I wanted to create something unlike anything that has been done before,” McMeans said. “I still can’t quite believe it. I’m beyond honored to have my artwork once again featured in my community. It makes me feel so good to see it around town on t-shirts and in local establishments.”

In addition to having her artwork serve as the face of the festival’s marketing and merchandise, McMeans will receive a $1,000 cash prize and will appear at the event for a poster signing (location and time to be announced).

Posters will be available for purchase beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 8, the festival’s opening day. Pre-signed copies will be particularly sought after by collectors, as they will be individually numbered to 100 and bear McMeans’ signature. The artwork will also be featured on the official festival T-shirt and other merchandise.

Additional details on festival activities, vendors and the music lineup will be announced at myshrimpfest.com as the summer progresses.

04/14/2026

Vendor applications for the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival are due by the end of the day on Friday, April 24th.

Vendor categories include fine arts, arts and crafts, retail merchandise, food, and the children’s activity village. All entries are subject to a juried selection process conducted by a volunteer committee with selections expected to be finalized by early June. Submission does not guarantee acceptance.

“Shrimp Fest wouldn’t be what it is without the vendors who travel from across the country to be part of it,” said Ginny Barnas, co-chairman of the Annual National Shrimp Festival. “We look forward to welcoming another outstanding group to Gulf Shores this October.”

Vendors interested in submitting an application can learn more at myshrimpfest.com/apply

03/20/2026

✈️ A great find, thank you for sharing Gulf Shores Museum!

TBT 1984 Shrimp Festival! 🦐🎉 Dr. J.L. Sanderson is pictured with his stunning Cessna 172 airplane, proudly promoting the Jack Edwards Airport in style. Were any of you lucky enough to witness this incredible sight, as the plane was taxied down Hwy 59, escorted by the Gulf Shores Police Department in a thrilling procession? 🚨🚁 It's amazing to think about the memories made that day, and we'd love to hear from you if you were there to experience it firsthand. Share your stories and photos with us! 💬
Photo courtesy of Kent Sanderson.

03/19/2026

🍤 Tag a restaurant or food truck you'd love to see at Shrimp Fest!

Bring your unique flavors to the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival - Alabama's Original Beach Party.

Shrimp isn't the only star of the show. We've got BBQ, burgers, Cajun Pistols, Southern cuisine, desserts, and more. Deadline to apply is April 24th, 2026.

Learn more about the application process at: https://www.myshrimpfest.com/apply
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• Address: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL, 36542
• Thursday, October 8th: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday, October 9th: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, October 10th: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, October 11th: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

03/02/2026

🍤 We are excited to announce that our 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival is heading your way, October 8th through 11th!

It's food, it's art, it's music, it's Alabama's original beach party.

What started as a celebration of the local seafood industry has grown into a four day vacation destination.

Since 1971 our festival has been FREE to attend, overlooking the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Come out and join over 100,000 of your closest friends to see over 300+ food & art vendors along with two stages showcasing local & national entertainment acts.

What are you waiting for? Learn more by visiting us at www.myshrimpfest.com
___________

• Address: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL, 36542
• Thursday, October 8th: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday, October 9th: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, October 10th: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, October 11th: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

02/24/2026

🏆 We would appreciate your vote: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/national-shrimp-festival-gulf-shores-alabama

We have been nominated for Best Specialty Food Festival, as part of USA TODAY USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

Voting is underway and will continue through March 2nd. We would appreciate your support at the link above (you can vote once per day).

02/03/2026

🏆 We have been nominated for Best Specialty Food Festival, as part of USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

Voting is now underway and will continue through March 2nd. We would appreciate your support at the link below (you can vote once per day).

The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is an incredible seafood appreciation event every autumn that embraces the Gulf Coast's fresh and flavorful shrimp. Festivalgoers can indulge in a wide array of dishes like shrimp po'boys and shrimp gumbo while enjoying the area’s laid-back amb...

02/01/2026

🍤 Vendor applications for the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival are now open! Click below to learn more.

The official Shrimp Festival website, social media channels, and Eventeny page are the ONLY places to find our applications. Be wary of scammers impersonating our event!

2026 Vendor Applications ​ Closes Friday, April 24th • Arts & Crafts • Fine Arts • Retail Marketplace • Children’s Activity Village • Food Vendor The official Shrimp Festival...

01/12/2026

🎨 2026 POSTER CONTEST NOW OPEN!

We are looking for a creative design to be the face of our 53rd Festival taking place this October 8th through 11th, 2026. The selected artist will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

You have until Friday, March 27th to submit your design either by mail or in-person. Please take time to read the full rules and submission requirements here: https://www.myshrimpfest.com/poster