Feast on shellfish, mushrooms, smoked sausages, and macaroni and cheese at food-related festivals set for October and the beginning of November. A busy fall season comes to a close in early November at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan and the Experience the Oyster festival at The Hangout in Gulf Shores.
Here is what’s on the festival menu.
National Shrimp Festival (Gulf Shores)
October 10-13
A mainstay for more than a half-century, the festival draws up to 250,000 people over three days. Attractions include arts and crafts, food vendors, bands, and a sand sculpture demonstration and contest. Open Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission is free.
Gulf Coast Fungi Festival (Fairhope)
October 18-20
Artisans, fungi experts, and food lovers gather at the Weeks Bay Plantation for a weekend of mushroom forays, speakers, workshops, and musical performances.
Ticket packages are $25-$120.
Conecuh Sausage Festival (Evergreen)
October 19
The 21st edition of the fete for Alabama’s favorite sausage, the gathering at Evergreen Airport includes arts and crafts vendors, a children’s area, and plenty of food including Conecuh. Admission to the general festival, set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m., is free. The festival coincides with the Middleton Field South Eastern Fly-In at the airport on Saturday and Sunday; admission is free.
Other events require entry fees, a car show ($25), and a rodeo ($5 for ages 12-2; $10 for adults; children two and under get in free).
Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival (Birmingham)
October 20
Returning for a seventh year, the comfort food competition at Back Forty Beer Company is a fundraiser for Community Grief Support, which works with people mourning the death of a loved one. Set for 1 p.m.- 4 p.m., some 3,000 expected attendees will sample and vote for their favorite concoctions by Birmingham restaurants, food trucks, caterers, eateries, corporate teams, and home cooks. Janice Rogers, co-anchor of Good Day Alabama on WBRC Fox 6, will emcee. Festivities at the pet-friendly event include music, a kids’ zone with a balloon artist, and face painting.
Advance tickets are $20 ($25 at the gate) for adults and $10 for ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free. VIP tickets, which include admission, food, drinks, a shirt, a souvenir spork, and separate restrooms are $70.
German Sausage Festival (Elberta)
October 26
German immigrants who settled and farmed in Elberta at the turn of the 20th century brought the sausage-making traditions from their home country to Alabama’s culinary benefit. Started in 1978, the German Sausage Festival is held twice yearly (the other is in April) as a fundraiser for the town and the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department. German-style sausage is specially made by Farm Fresh Meats of Robertsdale along with German and American food favorites. Expect vendors, carnival rides, polka dancing, and music. It lives up to the city’s motto fur das gute leben which translates to for the good life. Set for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Elberta’s city park.
Admission is free.
Alabama Mushroom Faire (Gadsden)
October 26-27
The Alabama Mushroom Society has two goals for the mushroom faire, teaching about fungi and collecting data on what grows in Alabama. Set for Noccalula Falls State Park, plans include mushroom foraging, classes, demonstrations, and vendors with mushroom products and food. It’s open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $25 at the gate and $40 for a weekend pass. Camping is available.
Alabama Wine Festival (Attala)
October 26
In its fourth year, Wills Creek Winery and Vineyard hosts the event featuring samples and sales by the glass or bottle from participating wineries. Food trucks and artisan vendors round out the festivities. The event is open 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets are $40 per person; designated drivers get in free. Only 21 and older are allowed.
Experience the Oyster (Gulf Shores)
November 1-2
Presented by Alabama’s Murder Point oyster farm, the South’s top bivalve growers and chefs will take over The Hangout, shucking shells and stirring gumbo. Get tips from the pros and devour their cooking demonstrations. VIP tickets include a waterside party at Zeke’s Restaurant on Friday night from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $75 plus fees and taxes for general admission, and $200 plus fees and taxes for VIP passes.
National Peanut Festival (Dothan)
November 1-10
For 80 years, Dothan has celebrated the versatile peanut with a parade, beauty pageants, livestock events, concerts, crafts, and food. New security rules, including see-through bags and use of metal detectors, are in place this year. Times vary by day, but generally, rides are open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.
Admission tickets are required. Tickets are required for rides and some require multiple tickets. Packages are available.
