Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival

This weekend more than a quarter of a million people will flock to Gulf Shores for the 37th annual National Shrimp Festival at Gulf Shores Public Beach. The four-day outdoor festival that began Thursday continues through Sunday and brings together food vendors, musicians, artisans and arts and crafts from around the Southeast and the nation — and shrimp, lots of shrimp.

Since 1971, the second week of October has been reserved for this seafood and cultural festival, a last hurrah before the snowbird tourism season, said this year's National Shrimp Festival Chairman Ron Kutter.

Kayci Prohaska, 10, Lane Baker, 10, Lexi Prohaska, 9, and Maia Setzer, 10, at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, one of the eaterier at the 37th Annual National Shrimp Festival this weekend. (Brian Kelly/bkelly@pnj.com)

Parking and other events

Don't worry about finding a parking space. The Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System will give you a ride. The shuttle costs $1 per passenger, per way and will run Thursday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the online bus schedule and other events at www.nationalshrimpfestival.com.

New to the festival this year is a Chef's Challenge. Contestants from area restaurants will showcase their culinary skills and expertise in the Oct. 10 contest, which will start at 3:30 p.m. on the East Stage.

Also, the Shrimp Festival 10k Run is set Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m.

Want to go?

- WHAT: The 37th annual National Shrimp Festival

- WHEN: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

- WHERE: Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf Shores, Ala. at the corner of Highway 182 and Gulf Shores Parkway (at the bottom of Highway 59 in front of The Hangout restaurant).

- COST: Free

- DETAILS: For more information and for complete music and art schedules, maps, list of times, shuttle service and other information, visit www.nationalshrimpfestival.com. or phone Don McPherson at (251) 968-4237.