AGP Executive Report

Arts & Events: Tuscaloosa’s Kentuck Festival of the Arts returns to Snow Hinton Park Oct. 17–18, bringing 270 artists and a strong showing from Alabama’s Black Belt. Coastal Calendar: Gulf Shores will host its 34th annual Meeting of the Minds Oct. 21–25, while the city has approved a new schedule for road resurfacing and improvements. Getting Around Tuscaloosa: A $167 million contract will replace the Woolsey Finnell Bridge and widen McFarland Boulevard; construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with a shared-use path planned to link Riverwalk routes. Gulf Coast Update: Orange Beach and Gulf Shores beaches have reopened after Hurricane Isaias, with officials reporting minimal damage.

Mobile Waterfront: A $9 million grant is advancing Brookley by the Bay, planned as Mobile’s first waterfront park with public beach and water access. Arts & Events: Tuscaloosa’s Kentuck Festival of the Arts draws more than 15,000 visitors and generates an estimated $5 million locally, with 270-plus artists, music and food. Coming Attraction: The historic SS United States, now in Mobile, is slated to become the world’s largest artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf Coast in November, creating a draw for divers and anglers. Rural Stays: Alabama farmers can apply for Airbnb grants of up to $10,000 to host overnight guests. Coastal Calendar: Gulf Shores’ Food Truck Fest is set for Nov. 7–8 at the public beach.

Mobile’s Maritime Draw: The SS United States is expected to leave Mobile in the second week of November for its final voyage to become an artificial reef off Florida. Its departure could draw crowds hoping to see the historic liner off one last time. Coastal Recovery: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach beaches have reopened after Hurricane Isaias with minimal damage, though Gulf State Park remains closed and storm cleanup continues in parts of the region. Heritage Travel: A group of Charlotte philanthropists plans a three-day Alabama trip to Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church and Civil Rights Institute, then the Legacy Museum in Montgomery. Farm Stays: Alabama farmers can apply for Airbnb grants of up to $10,000 to host overnight guests. Fall Plans: Alabama state parks are drawing visitors for peak foliage, while Gulf Shores has a Food Truck Fest set for Nov. 7–8.

Birmingham on the Rise: Priceline named Birmingham one of five trending U.S. destinations for 2027, highlighting its Civil Rights history, food scene, Railroad Park and botanical gardens. Gulf Coast Comeback: As communities recover from Hurricane Isaias and the Shrimp Festival’s cancellation, Gulf Shores will host the 34th Meeting of the Minds, Oct. 21–25, bringing Parrot Heads and support for local hotels, restaurants and shops. Alabama beaches have reopened after evacuation orders were lifted. Fall Getaways: A new statewide guide rounds up 14 haunted attractions for visitors seeking a spooky-season outing.

Outdoor Adventures: Wild Alabama is inviting volunteers to maintain Sipsey Wilderness trails, with an overnight option during its traditional-tools workday Oct. 17–18. Coastal Recovery: Alabama beaches have reopened after Hurricane Isaias, while cleanup and power restoration continue across the Gulf Coast; check local conditions before traveling. Farm Stays: Alabama farmers can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to host Airbnb guests, with applications opening Nov. 30. Gulf Shores Events: The Coastal Alabama Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival returns to Gulf Shores Public Beach Nov. 7–8, featuring food vendors and an artisan market. Live Music: Matchbox Twenty will bring its 2027 anniversary tour to Birmingham’s Coca-Cola Amphitheater on May 15.

Gulf Coast Recovery: Alabama’s beaches have reopened after Isaias, with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach reporting minimal damage. Cleanup and power restoration continue, so check local conditions before traveling. Guntersville Events: Country Case performs a free outdoor concert at Errol Allan Park on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be available; organizers will post any weather-related venue changes.

Gulf Coast Recovery: Alabama’s beaches have reopened after Hurricane Isaias, with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach reporting limited damage. But cleanup and power restoration continue; about 21,000 Alabama customers were still without electricity on Oct. 12. Coastal Outings: The Gulf Coast’s Oct. 12–18 calendar features nature walks at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, live music, Oktoberfest and Halloween activities across Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley. Fall Attractions: A statewide guide highlights 14 haunted attractions, including Leeds’ 50,000-square-foot Atrox Factory and a Tuscaloosa-area fundraiser supporting local trails.

Gulf Coast Recovery: Orange Beach and Gulf Shores beaches have reopened after Isaias caused minimal damage, but Gulf State Park remains closed. Cleanup and power restoration continue in parts of Alabama, so check local conditions before traveling. Fall Outdoors: Alabama’s state parks are a seasonal draw, with fall color nearing its peak at nine locations. Maritime Tourism: The SS United States, prepared in Mobile, is set to become an artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf Coast in November, with diving tours planned nearby.

Gulf Coast Update: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach reopened their beaches after Hurricane Isaias caused minimal damage. Evacuation orders are lifted, bridges are open and local businesses are welcoming visitors back. Fall Outdoors: Nine Alabama state parks are highlighted for peak fall color, offering scenic options for seasonal getaways. Tuscaloosa Dining: Nick’s in the Sticks remains a local institution and a draw for visitors seeking a memorable West Alabama meal.

Storm Recovery: Isaias has moved inland, but flooding, downed trees and power outages continue to disrupt travel across Alabama. Two Alabamians were reported dead. Coastal Travel: Orange Beach escaped the worst damage, and Gulf Shores reported relatively minor impacts, but officials urged visitors to wait a day or two; Gulf State Park remained closed and dangerous surf lingered. Visitor Disruptions: The storm cut short Gulf Coast vacations, sending some travelers to North Alabama hotels, while Tuscaloosa hotels stayed busy for Alabama’s game weekend.

Storm Recovery: Isaias moved inland after making landfall near Destin, leaving at least four dead, widespread outages and dangerous flooding risks across the Southeast. Two deaths were reported in Alabama, and downed trees and power lines are making some roads hazardous. Travel Disruptions: Gulf State Park remained closed, while Pensacola and Destin-Fort Walton Beach airports were still closed to commercial flights Saturday. Travelers heading to Alabama’s coast should check road and service updates before setting out. Tuscaloosa Game Day: The Alabama-Georgia game went ahead as scheduled despite the storm, drawing visitors amid changing weather and travel conditions.

Storm and Travel: Isaias made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 hurricane, then weakened to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved over Alabama. Flooding, downed trees and power lines left hundreds of thousands without electricity across Alabama and Florida, while officials warned of more heavy rain and hazardous conditions. Roads and Beaches: Houston County closed all roads, and ALDOT urged drivers to avoid unnecessary trips and check for closures. Dangerous surf and rip currents remain a concern along the coast. Visitor Disruptions: The storm grounded flights, disrupted Gulf Coast vacations and pushed some travelers toward North Alabama hotels. Check conditions with local officials and travel providers before setting out.

Gulf Coast Alert: Category 3 Hurricane Isaias is nearing landfall near the Alabama-Florida line, bringing life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and flooding. Alabama has ordered visitors to leave coastal areas, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island; officials warn conditions are rapidly worsening. Travel Disruptions: Evacuations have slowed traffic on routes north, while major airlines are offering eligible passengers fee-free changes for flights to affected Gulf Coast airports, including Mobile, Birmingham and Dothan. Check with your airline before heading to the airport. Game Day Changes: President Trump canceled his Tuscaloosa trip for Saturday’s Alabama-Georgia game as emergency crews prepare for the storm. The game remains scheduled, but travelers should monitor university and local safety updates.

Gulf Coast Travel: Hurricane Isaias has strengthened to Category 2 and could make landfall near the Alabama-Florida coast late Friday or early Saturday, bringing dangerous surge, wind and flooding. Alabama ordered nonresidents to leave Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island; travelers should follow local evacuation orders and check conditions before heading south. Events and Game Day: The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores was canceled, and Phish postponed Saturday’s Huntsville show to Monday. The University of Alabama has revised some game-day plans as Tuscaloosa prepares for storm impacts and a large influx of visitors for the Georgia game.

Gulf Coast Travel Alert: Hurricane Isaias is forecast to reach the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, bringing dangerous winds, storm surge, flooding and heavy rain. Officials urged Gulf Shores and Orange Beach visitors to leave, and Alabama ordered visitors south of the Intracoastal Waterway to evacuate. Plans Disrupted: The 53rd National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores has been canceled. Travelers heading west on I-10 are advised to follow forecasts and consider changing plans as conditions develop. Game-Day Weather: The Georgia-Alabama matchup in Tuscaloosa remains scheduled for Saturday evening, but officials are monitoring the storm.

Storm Disruptions: Hurricane Isaias is forecast to bring dangerous winds, flooding rain and possible storm surge to Alabama’s Gulf Coast late Friday into Saturday. Gov. Kay Ivey declared an emergency in 40 counties; travelers should follow local alerts and prepare for hazardous conditions. Festival Cancellation: Gulf Shores has canceled the 53rd National Shrimp Festival because of the storm threat, including high winds, heavy surf and rain. Huntsville Attractions: Bridge Street Town Centre is expanding beyond shopping and dining, with SafeSplash swim lessons set to open Oct. 12 and North Italia expected Oct. 28.