Saturday night is the big one: Gary Allan and Tracy Lawrence headline The Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach. All weekend, the 11th Annual Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo runs at the state line, and Friday kicks off with Fairhope's First Friday Art Walk downtown. Heads up -- the sky's feeling dramatic this weekend. Saturday's the soggy one (better-than-even odds on storms, high of 85), so chase your outdoor plans before noon and keep half an eye on the radar for that evening show. Friday and Sunday play nicer, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s and rain that's more "maybe" than "pack the poncho."
Friday
Fairhope First Friday Art Walk -- Downtown Fairhope
Fairhope's signature Friday-night stroll: galleries open late, art spills onto the sidewalks, and downtown turns into one long, easy walk. The kind of evening you do with people, no ticket required.
11th Annual Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo -- Flora-Bama
The Flora-Bama's bi-state fishing tradition is back for its 11th year and runs all weekend. It's built on the come-as-you-are idea that you don't have to be a serious angler to have a good time -- same loose energy as the bar that hosts it.
Brandon Styles Magic Show -- Brandon Styles Theater at OWA
Friday-night family variety at OWA -- magic, comedy, and a bit of spectacle in a format that plays for all ages. A solid call if you've got the kids along.
Saturday
Gary Allan + Tracy Lawrence -- The Wharf Amphitheater, 5:30 PM
The headliner. A stacked country bill at The Wharf -- Gary Allan and Tracy Lawrence headlining, with Diamond Rio and Easton Corbin among the special guests -- and the biggest show on the coast this weekend. It's an open-air amphitheater and Saturday's the storm-iffy day, so check the sky before you head out, but this is the ticket to have.
Cruise to the Site of the Clotilda Wreck -- departs Mobile
A genuine "have you ever done this?" Saturday: a cruise out to the resting place of the Clotilda, the last known American slave ship, in the waters off Mobile. Sobering, historic, and unlike anything else on the calendar.
Manatee Habitat Cruise from Mobile -- departs Mobile
A morning wildlife cruise through manatee habitat out of Mobile. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the water and the season make it a worthwhile way to spend a Saturday morning on the bay.
BILL-E's Bacon, Burgers & Bikes -- Baldwin County
Exactly what it sounds like: bacon, burgers, and bikes, together. A laid-back food-and-motorcycles afternoon that's pure Gulf Coast Saturday.
Fairhope Farmers Market -- Fairhope Public Library
Saturday morning behind the Fairhope Public Library -- produce, makers, and the rest. Get there early, before the heat and before the good stuff's gone.
Sunday
Orange Beach Pop-Up Farmers Market -- Orange Beach Waterfront Park
A Sunday-morning pop-up market on the water at Orange Beach Waterfront Park -- local vendors, an easy stroll, and the bay right there. A gentle way to close the weekend.
The beach soundtrack
You're never far from live music on this coast. The Flora-Bama runs it all weekend, The Hangout keeps free music going on East Beach Boulevard, and the rooms up and down the beach -- Portside at The Wharf, Ole River Grill, Five Sisters Blues Cafe -- all have something on. Worth catching: Justin Colvard at Portside on Friday and Brooks Johnson at Ole River on Saturday.
The Full Lineup
Find everything happening this weekend at gulfshoreslineup.com/events/.
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