Country Singer/Songwriter Trent Tomlinson to Headline
49th Annual National Shrimp Festival with Free Concert
Full entertainment and activities schedule released for festival being held Oct. 6-9
COASTAL ALA. - Trent Tomlinson, co-writer of “Damn Strait”, the No. 1 song on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart since July 18, is set to headline a jam-packed four-day schedule of activities and free concerts at the Annual National Shrimp Festival. Tomlinson’s free show will take place Saturday, Oct. 8 starting at 8:15 p.m. on the Festival’s West Stage.
An active performer since 2004, Tomlinson recently returned to the country charts as co-writer of the George Strait inspired song “Damn Strait”, performed by Scotty McCreery. “Damn Strait” surpassed Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted on You” to takeover the No. 1 spot for country airplay.
“Trent performed with us back in 2007 and his show really drew a great crowd, he fits the vibe we try to set each year,” Shrimp Festival Entertainment Committee Member Michael Broussard said. “We’re thrilled about his recent success on the Billboard charts and hope that news will help draw even more attention towards his performance on the Saturday evening of the festival.”
The 49th edition of the Annual National Shrimp Festival is being held Oct. 6-9 on the white
sandy beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Concerts will run throughout the four days of the festival on two stages located at each end of the grounds, which are located at Gulf Place in Gulf Shores, where Ala. Hwy. 59 intersects with East Beach Blvd.
Other acts include “The Voice” final four contestant Kirk Jay, longtime Shrimp Fest favorites like The Velcro Pygmies, and Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster, and tribute bands performing the hits of Queen, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, and Journey.
Additional activities to take place under the festival umbrella include…
• The 29th Annual Golf Challenge for Education presented by Precision Payment Systems and Columbia Southern University - Friday, Sept. 9 - Kiva Dunes - Check-in begins at 7 a.m. - The kickoff of the Shrimp Fest hype begins in September. Along with a fun round of golf on a must-play course, golfers will be treated to activities, raffle prizes, lunch, and more;
• Sand Sculpture Demonstration & Training - Friday, Oct. 7 - On the beach area towards the back of the festival grounds - 12 p.m. - Want to join the Sand Sculpture contest on Sat. Oct. 8, but don’t know how to build one? No problem! Local sand sculptor Janel Hawkins of Sand Castle University will be on tap for a live demonstration/training session to get you ready;
• 5k/10k Run & Walk - Saturday, Oct. 8 - Orange Beach Sportsplex - 5k begins at 7:30 a.m. and 10k begins at 7:50 a.m. - A tradition almost as old as the Shrimp Festival itself, going back to 1977. Runners start the morning at the Orange Beach Sportsplex and make their way around
the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail;
• Singing for Scholarship Competition - Saturday, Oct. 8 - West Stage - 10 a.m. - Baldwin County students will compete on stage for scholarships in a live singing competition. The top three students in the competition will receive cash prizes for themselves and their school’s music program.
• Sand Sculpture Contest presented by Ike’s Beach Service - Saturday, Oct. 8 - The beach area towards the back of the festival grounds - Registration and contest begins at 11 a.m. - Teams of up to four can compete for prizes and bragging rights by putting together a creative sand sculpture design. Kids, teens, adults, and families are welcome to participate as four different age categories will be judged. Prizes to be awarded include $100 cash, $50 cash, hand made sand sculpture trophies, and Shrimp Festival posters.
Updates on the festival will continue as the dates draw closer. Those interested in attending the Festival are asked to visit myshrimpfest.com or the Festival’s social media channels for the most up-to-date information and a full schedule of events.
Country Singer/Songwriter Trent Tomlinson, entertainment headliner for the 49th Annual National Shrimp Festival
A shrimp boil meal offered by one of the food vendors at the 48th Annual National Shrimp Festival in 2019.
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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.
For further information, contact:
- Ryan Moberly - ryan@mygulfcoastchamber.com
- Clayton Wallace - gcoastwriter@gmail.com
