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Happy October! It is hard to believe that Halloween is just around the corner. Little ghosts and goblins running around dressed in their costumes. What sounds more perfect than loading the family up for a weekend away. Dress them up in their costumes and take them trick-or-treating all while hitting the beach during the day! Here are a few events we have coming up this year around town.  

OWA is having a few Halloween events of their own this year. They will be having Nightmare Chambers which will be going on every night in October! Tickets start at $19.99 for this event and can be purchased here. October 29^th, OWA will be hosting their annual Monster Bash Costume Contest! There will be cash prizes for 1^st-3^rd place as well as overall prizes. This event is open for ages 0-18+ and you can even compete as a team! On Saturdays in October, kids will be able to trick-or-treat as downtown OWA is turned into Halloweentown! The night is finished off with a halloween themed music and light show. For the spooky pawrents that want to participate we have a Howl-o-ween dog costume contest on October 22. There are over $450 in cash prizes that they have to give away!  You can register online or in person. For something a little more low key come check out Halloween Movie Nights. Each Saturday in October they will be presenting classic horror movies. Tickets are $5 a piece or 4 for $15 with code 4PACK.

Are your little ones just looking for candy without the scares? The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will be hosting Boo at the Zoo on October 29 from 9 AM to 12 PM.  This is a scare free event with trick or treating and meet and greets from the zoo’s animal ambassadors. Make sure you wear your best costume for a chance to win a Golden Ticket!

On Halloween, at the Flora Bama there will be a costume contest with over $1,000 in cash prizes! First place takes home $600!! Even if you don’t win you still get to party at the Flora Bama for Halloween. Registration ends at 8:30 PM and the contest starts at 9 PM.

Need a safe haven with all the spookiness going around? Sunset Properties has you covered! For a terrifyingly bootiful view of the Gulf we have Boardwalk 1085. This one bedroom condo sleeps 4 and is perfect for small families.  Needing more room for your little ghosts? Ocean House 1401 Is a 3 bedroom gulf front unit that sleeps 9. Visit us online at www.sunsetproperties.com or text/call us at 251-543-1370 and we can help you book a hauntingly perfect vacation!  

When we heard the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores was cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns this year, we were just as disappointed as you were.   Then we realized Orange Beach’s Freedom Fest is just a few days away.  While it is not as big as the Shrimp Festival, we believe it is certainly worth attending!  But where is it?  What should you expect?  Will there be music, food, art?  We, at Sunset Properties, did a little research for you and we believe we have the answers you need.  Here are six tips to help you navigate this newly formed Freedom Fest scheduled to be held at The Wharf Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  

1. Get there early and plan to stay all day.

This is the first ever Freedom Fest and it will be held at The Wharf, located off Canal Road in Orange Beach where there is plenty of free parking so plan to come early.  The Freedom Fest will be held at the west end of The Wharf, in the same location Orange Beach’s annual Seafood Fest is held in February.  If overflow parking is needed, The Orange Beach Sportsplex is available.  Oh, and if you are coming early, be sure to bring your sunglasses and sunscreen!  Fall days along the Alabama Gulf Coast are usually clear and sunny.  And fall sunburn skin is just as painful as any summer sunburn.  To get an idea of what our weather is like each month, check out this link to our local tourism bureau’s weather page.  We like to say, “it’s always sunny and seventy-five,” but sometimes we’ll admit, we can be a bit off.  Our friends at the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism bureau are more accurate for monthly averages. And, for a current check on our local weather, follow this link for daily and weekly information.

2.  Be sure to try the food.

Many of us are accustomed to attending the Annual National Shrimp Festival during this first full weekend of October.  With the postponement of this year’s Crustacean Celebration until 2022, we encourage you to plan to enjoy some of your favorite food vendors who will be at the Freedom Fest.   Be on the lookout for delicious festival cuisine including Cajun pistols, jambalaya, barbeque, shrimp tacos and kettle corn.  Is your mouth watering yet? Pepsi is a sponsor, so you should be able to find plenty of one of South Alabama’s favorite sodas there, too!  If you just cannot find something at the festival you like, there are plenty of great places to grab a delicious meal, snack or cup of coffee at The Wharf.  The friendly folks at the Villaggio Grill and The Southern Grind would love to see you!  There will be so much to choose from, no one should leave hungry!

3.  Visit with the artists and crafters.

We are expecting to see nearly 100 artisans at the festival.  With fine artists, crafters and those who fall somewhere in between, we are sure you will find something that makes your heart smile.  Take a little time to stop and get to know the artists and crafters.  They are such interesting folks!  And, why not do your Christmas shopping while you’re here?  In addition to the fine retail shops whose home is at The Wharf year round, during Freedom Fest, you’ll find booths containing unique and one-of-kind art pieces on display and for sale at the festival.  What better souvenir is there from the Alabama Gulf Coast than a handmade original piece of art?  We can’t think of one!   And for the best view of the whole festival, catch a ride on the Wharf Ferris Wheel.  The Ferris Wheel is 112 feet tall, one of the tallest in the Southeastern United States.  The view from the top is spectacular.  Fall skies are always picturesque along the Alabama Gulf Coast and the view from this Ferris Wheel is one everyone should enjoy.

4.  Plan to enjoy a day filled with great live music.

What is a festival without live music?  Pretty boring, huh?!  Well, Freedom Fest planners agree.  Be sure to put on your dancing flip flops because the music starts early and lasts all day!  Here is the lineup and a little about each entertainer:

• 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Strickly Rivers – an entertaining and fun local duo – get ready to sing along!
• 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Tres Amigos – an enjoyable and upbeat band – get ready to merengue!               
• 12:30- 2 p.m. – Brown Barnes Band – a wonderful performer – sit back and let the sweet sound of Brooke Brown’s voice fill the air around you.
• 2:15-3:45 p.m. – Cole Sitzlar – an amazing country music entertainer from Southeast Tennessee – a perfect ending to a perfect festival day!

5.  Come for the festival.  Stay for Brooks & Dunn!

That’s right!  Brooks & Dunn will be performing at The Wharf Amphitheatre after Freedom Fest.  We know you are going to really enjoy all the music during the festival, but who can resist a Brooks & Dunn Concert?  Not us!  We have our tickets!  Do you have yours?  Check out all the latest information on the Brooks & Dunn Concert at The Wharf Box Office website.

6.  Make your accommodations reservations now!

Many people thought that because the Shrimp Festival was cancelled this year, that they should not come to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.  Because of this, some wonderful beach homes have opened up.  As fast as they become available, however, they seem to get reserved again!  Don’t wait!  If you want to stay near The Wharf in Orange Beach, check out take a look at Moorings 414.  This gorgeous one bedroom, one bath condo has a fabulous view of Alabama Point and is only a few minutes away from The Wharf.  

If staying a bit farther away appeals to you, give Island Sunrise 468 a look.  Located right on the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores, your living room is only steps from the pristine white sandy beaches our island paradise is known for.  Evening walks on the beach in the fall are certainly ones for the memory books.  Did we mention how beautiful the fall skies are?  (I think we may have).  Be sure to bring along a beach blanket or two.  It’s always nice to have one to sit on, and sometimes in the fall, you’ll need one to wrap up in, too.  The air just feels nicer, and the waves seem to sound clearer in the fall.  When you’re lounging right outside your beach home, see you if you get those vibes, too.  It’s easy to see why we love it here all year long!

A third option you should consider is The Dunes condos and neighborhood.  Located all the way at the end of Fort Morgan Road, this area is perfect for a calm, relaxing evening following a busy day of activities!  The Dunes condominiums sit back just a bit from the water and will leave you in awe as you watch the sun rise and set over both the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.  The views are truly unmatched.  The Dunes subdivision is filled with welcoming, cozy beach homes like Dolphy Dunes East, a three bedroom, two bath home that sleeps up to eight people and Shellchase, a stunning five bedroom home that sleeps up to twelve.  Some of these beach homes allow dogs to stay with their people.  If you’re just coming to enjoy a quick weekend getaway, as a last-minute decision, this may be just the thing you need to make your stay a little easier.  Pack up your pup and come on down!

We hope you are planning to come to our little island paradise this fall.  If you’re not coming to the Freedom Fest, remember Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival is right around the corner!  We, at Sunset Properties, hope your fall is filled with toe tapping, knee slapping, art and crafting fun!  Let us be a part of your fall vacation and we know we will see you again next summer!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251-543-1370

By: Raven Hunter

So, you and your spouse are planning a weekend to get away from the constant demands of everyday life and have some long needed “us” time. Good for you! But you may be asking yourself, “Now what?” Sunset Properties is way ahead of you with the perfect beachfront rental to give you and your sweetheart your own place to fall in love all over again. Boardwalk 1085 is a beautiful, well-located property that provides a stunning view of Gulf Shores’ gorgeous beaches. The convenient location of the rental will allow you and your sweetheart to kick off your quality couple time with a long, romantic walk in the soft, pure white sand. If the weather isn’t cooperative, Boardwalk 1085 also comes with a full kitchen, living room, and dining area if you two want to hone your cooking skills together or just enjoy each other’s company!

            When the sun starts to go down, it’s time to take advantage of Boardwalk 1085’s accessibility to Gulf Shores’ nightlife. You two will be looking for somewhere to eat after spending some time settling into your rental and soaking in the beach’s irreplaceable sights and sounds as a couple. Fortunately, highly rated Sea and Suds Restaurant and Oyster Bar is just down the boardwalk from Boardwalk 1085. You lovebirds can take a leisurely stroll down to this homey restaurant for a night of enjoying the local color over fresh seafood and drinks. As a bonus, Sea and Suds also allows you to keep the beach view as you watch the sunset on your beautiful night in Gulf Shores.  If you two are looking for a more lively atmosphere for the evening, The Hangout Restaurant is just down the road! You can take a quick ride down the street from the rental and show up for a night of good food and entertainment. You might even catch an event or a live show!

While nightlife is good, you and your honey might be looking for a more intimate place for your couple’s night away. If that’s the case, The Wharf has you covered! Just a short drive over to Orange Beach will take you to The Wharf’s myriad of places to spend the evening. For your relaxing dinner date, Mile Marker 158 Dockside is the perfect restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining and a wonderful view of the marina. This quiet and casual atmosphere will provide the ideal place for your much needed one-on-one, adult conversation. Once you’ve finished up dinner, the Wharf also provides many shops and boutiques for you and your love to peruse. Depending on your taste, you can treat each other to a new outfit or maybe a new tea blend to commemorate your magical couple’s weekend in Gulf Shores!

At the end of the night, you two will likely want to unwind. That’s where your rental comes in again. Boardwalk 1085 comes with a wonderful balcony for you and your sweetheart to sit together and reflect on the wonderful times you had while immersed in the quiet, serene nighttime atmosphere of the beach. Listen to the crashing of the waves sweep through the night air as you two recharge for another day of time to yourselves.

 If you’re wanting all of the fun of Gulf Shores but not looking to stay directly on the beach, Sunset Properties also offers Beachview 223, another one-bedroom condo rental just a few blocks from Boardwalk 1085 that’s just as central to many beloved locations (and right across the street from the beach!). Either rental is just a click away to begin planning your weekend getaway in the beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama.

With all the Covid stuff we’ve had to deal with for over a year now, much of our daily home and work life has changed.  In fact, the two seem to have begun to overlap.  Many of us are working from home and our kids are virtual schooling in order to keep down the spread of that nasty virus.  A lot of us are doing some sort of a hybrid schedule that includes working at home and in our offices. We, at Sunset Properties, happily suggest you incorporate a Flexcation into your schedule before the busy summer months hit.  What’s a Flexcation?  Well, simply put, a Flexcation is a combo work-vacation time (usually a long weekend in an offseason) that your whole family can enjoy.  You can squeeze in a couple of workdays alongside a weekend and get the best of both worlds.  It’s a kind of virtual office and an on-site vacation all rolled into one.  If you haven’t yet tried out this new family-friendly workable concept that is keeping bosses happy, it’s time you did.  

And here are five reasons why you need to plan a flexcation soon:

1.      You Don’t Have to Be Walled In to be Productive

Aren’t you tired of staring at four institutionally painted gray walls? Close your eyes, just for a minute, and imagine escaping from that prison you call your office.  Now open your eyes and follow this link to see what A Little Bit of Heaven here on earth looks like.  Looks pretty good, huh?  Now check out this link to Boardwalk 1085 to see what a Gulf Front Home/Office view looks like.  Maybe a view of Mobile Bay appeals to you.  Wouldn’t popping open your laptop on your balcony as you watch the seagulls play out over the bay be a perfect backdrop for a Friday?  If that sounds good, Navy Cove 2113 is where you need to be!  There are only a few short weeks left to make these daydreams a reality before all the tourists flood the Alabama Gulf Coast?  The time is now for you to book your weekend long Flexcation in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan!

2.      WiFi is Available, Dependable, Fast, and Reliable

Now that you’re considering our flexcation suggestion this spring in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, you’re wondering if the tools you need to work will be available.  You’re in luck!  Your primary need is WiFi and it is available and, more importantly, it is dependable.  After all, we know you have to work in between your relaxation time.  And the kiddos still have schoolwork that needs to be done before Summer Break.  Our beach homes offer excellent WiFi service and the password for your specific guest account will be provided to you with your check-in information.  If you will need some extra space away from the family to help you concentrate on work or for Zoom meetings, consider securing a beach home with an extra bedroom.  The cost to add a bedroom where no one will sleep, but you can spread out your office materials, is really reasonable.  Check out our two and three bedroom condominiums at The Dunes and The Indies.  With the pool just downstairs, your family can enjoy a day of swimming and splashing in the sun and you’ll be just a few steps away.  So, taking those 15-minute breaks at the pool will be… well… they will literally be a breeze! (A Gulf Breeze, even!)

3.      Eating Lunch on the Beach is a Great Option

Speaking of breaks, how does enjoying your lunch break on the beach sound?  It probably sounds like something in your best-ever daydream.  Let’s make that a reality!  Most of the beach homes managed by Sunset Properties are either located on the beach, facing the beach or are just a few steps from the beach.  Let’s think about that for a minute.  Where are you sitting now?  Where are you going to have lunch today?  Are you going to have that same old ham sandwich and half of an apple again?  Tell me eating at the beach doesn’t sound like a much better option!  If you choose to spend your flexcation in Island Sunrise 468 in Gulf Shores, you are right on the beach!  Just pack your picnic lunch in your condo and walk out and enjoy!  How about Castaways 7B?  This two-bedroom condo is located near one of our favorite places: Sea-N-Suds.  Talk about a great lunch plan!  Walk down the beach to Sea-N-Suds for some of the best gumbo anywhere.  And if you choose to have an adult beverage with your gumbo, we won’t tell!

4.      The Best Meeting Spaces are Outside

“I love to go to meetings!” said NO ONE…. ever!  But, if you have to meet, and you can meet virtually, then you can meet from anywhere.  And, if you can meet from anywhere, why not choose to meet from your own private deck of your fabulous beach home located on the Alabama Gulf Coast?  What would this look like?  Check out the perfect virtual meeting space located on the deck of the amazing beach home called USA 2.  The view is spectacular!  All you need is your laptop and some sunscreen!  No need to greenscreen yourself in front of a pleasant background.  You’re already in it!  Or how about attending your meeting from the beautiful Eden’s Waters?  We think if you have to attend a meeting, you should at least be in a place where you can enjoy yourself.  Any one of our tastefully decorated beach homes will offer the best possible surroundings for a productive outside meeting.  Your amazing background is ready.  All that’s missing is you!

5.      There’s Plenty to do When You’re Not Working

Now that we’ve covered all the working aspects of your flexcation, we need to address the most important part.  A perfect Flexcation must appeal, not only to your boss, but to your whole family.  The boss is happy when you get your assigned tasks done and the family is happy when they are entertained.  Along the Alabama Gulf Coast, there is so much to see and do!  We are sure your whole family will love you for bringing them along on this “work trip”!  If continuing education and school studies is a vital part of your flexcation, be sure to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.  In between the excitement of visiting the animals, you’re sure to learn something!  Put at least one museum on your list of educational places to visit.  If you just want to have some down-time and enjoy family fun, visit any one of our mini-golf attractions, go on a dolphin tour, or eat at Lulu’s.  All of these are great ideas for entertainment for the whole family.  If you need some more suggestions, call us at the Sunset Properties office 251.543.1370 or email us at info@sunsetproperties.com and we will be happy to offer ideas.

At Sunset Properties, we are always looking for the best ways to accommodate our guests.  With all that Covid threw at us, like you, we had to get pretty creative.  We think this new flexcation concept is a win-win for everyone!  We would love to help you plan your long weekend so that you can accomplish your work while having the freedom to make a few memories with your family.  Short term rentals are available on a limited basis and sometimes we offer last minute specials.

Let us help you get outside those gray office walls and escape, even for just a short time, into your best daydream!  

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370