September 19, 2022
Crye*Leike & Lower Alabama Young Professionals Help Introduce Bicycle Valet Program To The Annual National Shrimp Fest
Festival Goers Encouraged to Ride & Park Bike on Site for First Time in Festival History
Story written by: Kristen McIntosh
For Shrimp Festival information, contact: Ryan Moberly - ryan@mygulfcoastchamber.com or Clayton Wallace - gcoastwriter@gmail.com
COASTAL ALA. - The City of Gulf Shores, a League of American Bicyclists Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community, is about to get even friendlier for visitors attending the 49th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Oct. 6-9, 2022.
For the first time in its more than 50-year history, festival organizers are encouraging visitors to arrive at the festival by bicycle and use the parking services of a brand-new, complimentary bicycle valet service. As the program sponsor, Crye*Leike Gulf Coast Real Estate and Vacation Rentals has made a generous donation to assist with costs.
Sharon Wiese, Vice President of Membership and Marketing for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, said the bicycle valet program seemed a natural fit for the festival, which is hosted by the chamber and operated by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. “We were very excited to learn in 2018 about Gulf Shores being named a bicycle-friendly community for visitors and local residents,” Wiese said. “And, upon attending the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College program and seeing how other festivals were managing complicated transportation issues, it became clear that we had the available resources to start our very own bicycle valet program that can be run by Shrimp Festival volunteers.”
The Lower Alabama Young Professionals (LAYP), led by Philanthropy Chair Casey Buckner, oversees operations for the valet program. A collaboration of the Coastal Alabama Business and South Baldwin Chambers, LAYP partnered with the chamber to use the valet station as a fundraiser for the chamber’s Junior Leadership Program. Members of
the Junior Leadership Program will staff the valet station throughout the festival.
Adding that on-site festival parking has been reduced by construction of the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center across West Beach from the public beach area where the festival is held, Wiese said bicycles were not previously allowed on site due to concerns about bicycles and motorized vehicles, including shuttle buses, operating so closely together and in the presence of pedestrians. “However, because the City of Gulf Shores has invested nearly $1 million in recent years to improve bicycle safety, and there are 52 miles of shared-use pathways connecting Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park, and Orange Beach, the time seemed right to welcome bike riders to the festival grounds.”
Shrimp Festival Chairman Andrew Hart said the city’s focus on bicycle safety awareness and the health benefits of riding bikes not only for transportation but also for overall wellness has created a greater understanding of the city’s bike-friendly status.
“The city promotes bicycle safety awareness all year long and especially in May during National Bike Month, where residents and visitors are encouraged to use the city’s extensive bike path system for National Ride a Bike Day on May 1, Bike to School Day on May 4, Bike to Work Day on May 20, and Bike to Work Week May 16-22. Awareness of our bike-friendly community is the key to making the festival’s bicycle valet program successful. We hope it will be well received during the festival and that it will become a regular part of the annual festival’s transportation routine.”
“The city has focused on creating a walkable/bike-able community through the construction of sidewalks, multi-use paths and bike lanes,” said Grant Brown, recreation and cultural affairs director and public information officer for the city of Gulf Shores. “The success is evident by the increasing number of people getting out of their cars, walking and biking. The chamber recognizes this movement and is encouraging people to bike to this year’s festival.”
The bicycle valet station will be located next to the information tent at the front entrance of the festival. Shrimp Festival volunteer team members will greet bike riders and check in their bicycles. They will receive a bicycle tag and matching numbered ticket and be able to enjoy the festival knowing their bicycle is secured in a safe location throughout the duration of their visit.
“The valet service is free of charge, but tips are greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will benefit the chamber’s Junior Leadership Program,” Hart said. Festival goers are encouraged to visit myshrimpfest.com for further information on the event, its amenities, and schedule.
Festival Goers Encouraged to Ride & Park Bike on Site for First Time in Festival History
Story written by: Kristen McIntosh
For Shrimp Festival information, contact: Ryan Moberly - ryan@mygulfcoastchamber.com or Clayton Wallace - gcoastwriter@gmail.com
COASTAL ALA. - The City of Gulf Shores, a League of American Bicyclists Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community, is about to get even friendlier for visitors attending the 49th Annual National Shrimp Festival, Oct. 6-9, 2022.
For the first time in its more than 50-year history, festival organizers are encouraging visitors to arrive at the festival by bicycle and use the parking services of a brand-new, complimentary bicycle valet service. As the program sponsor, Crye*Leike Gulf Coast Real Estate and Vacation Rentals has made a generous donation to assist with costs.
Sharon Wiese, Vice President of Membership and Marketing for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, said the bicycle valet program seemed a natural fit for the festival, which is hosted by the chamber and operated by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. “We were very excited to learn in 2018 about Gulf Shores being named a bicycle-friendly community for visitors and local residents,” Wiese said. “And, upon attending the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College program and seeing how other festivals were managing complicated transportation issues, it became clear that we had the available resources to start our very own bicycle valet program that can be run by Shrimp Festival volunteers.”
The Lower Alabama Young Professionals (LAYP), led by Philanthropy Chair Casey Buckner, oversees operations for the valet program. A collaboration of the Coastal Alabama Business and South Baldwin Chambers, LAYP partnered with the chamber to use the valet station as a fundraiser for the chamber’s Junior Leadership Program. Members of
the Junior Leadership Program will staff the valet station throughout the festival.
Adding that on-site festival parking has been reduced by construction of the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center across West Beach from the public beach area where the festival is held, Wiese said bicycles were not previously allowed on site due to concerns about bicycles and motorized vehicles, including shuttle buses, operating so closely together and in the presence of pedestrians. “However, because the City of Gulf Shores has invested nearly $1 million in recent years to improve bicycle safety, and there are 52 miles of shared-use pathways connecting Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park, and Orange Beach, the time seemed right to welcome bike riders to the festival grounds.”
Shrimp Festival Chairman Andrew Hart said the city’s focus on bicycle safety awareness and the health benefits of riding bikes not only for transportation but also for overall wellness has created a greater understanding of the city’s bike-friendly status.
“The city promotes bicycle safety awareness all year long and especially in May during National Bike Month, where residents and visitors are encouraged to use the city’s extensive bike path system for National Ride a Bike Day on May 1, Bike to School Day on May 4, Bike to Work Day on May 20, and Bike to Work Week May 16-22. Awareness of our bike-friendly community is the key to making the festival’s bicycle valet program successful. We hope it will be well received during the festival and that it will become a regular part of the annual festival’s transportation routine.”
“The city has focused on creating a walkable/bike-able community through the construction of sidewalks, multi-use paths and bike lanes,” said Grant Brown, recreation and cultural affairs director and public information officer for the city of Gulf Shores. “The success is evident by the increasing number of people getting out of their cars, walking and biking. The chamber recognizes this movement and is encouraging people to bike to this year’s festival.”
The bicycle valet station will be located next to the information tent at the front entrance of the festival. Shrimp Festival volunteer team members will greet bike riders and check in their bicycles. They will receive a bicycle tag and matching numbered ticket and be able to enjoy the festival knowing their bicycle is secured in a safe location throughout the duration of their visit.
“The valet service is free of charge, but tips are greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will benefit the chamber’s Junior Leadership Program,” Hart said. Festival goers are encouraged to visit myshrimpfest.com for further information on the event, its amenities, and schedule.
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The Annual National Shrimp Festival is Alabama's original beach party put on by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. At the heart of this festival is a hard-working group of volunteers that have kept this tradition kicking since 1971.
The Annual National Shrimp Festival is Alabama's original beach party put on by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. At the heart of this festival is a hard-working group of volunteers that have kept this tradition kicking since 1971.
