Checking the Latest News and Events While on the Beach

Technology is a wonderful thing to have while vacationing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Thanks to devices like smartphones and iPads, not only can you continue to stay connected via email and make all your Facebook friends jealous by updating your latest beach activities, you can also stay current with the latest Gulf Coast happenings, thanks to websites like Al.com, one of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission’s sponsors.

This is an excellent site for keeping up with the latest events in and around Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—and throughout Alabama, for that matter. The entertainment section provides information on local arts, dining, and music events. You can even find information on specific major events going on—like the Hangout Music Fest or Mardi Gras—as well as popular travel spots.

Don’t want to completely break away from the rest of the world during vacation? Al.com is also a good source for the latest news, both local and around the world. You can also check in with the weather so you always know if it’s a good day for enjoying the Gulf Shores beaches (or attending a sporting event!).

Plus it’s a distraction from using your smartphone or iPad for more serious reasons—no work emails allowed on vacation!

Communication is Key

Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast and you’ll find that the area offers much more than just beautiful white-sand beaches and Gulf views. People come from all over to participate in sporting events ranging from baseball and soccer tournaments to triathlons and major fishing tournaments. Participation isn’t the only fun part of these events; they serve as entertaining spectator sports as well.

But sports aren’t the only activities taking place in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. All kinds of happenings are going on throughout the year, and thanks to companies like AL.com and Clear Channel—two big sponsors of the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission—knowledge of these events is passed on regularly to the public.

AL.com provides a wealth of information on news, entertainment, sports, travel, and weather for the entire state of Alabama. There is even a selection of forums where you can interact with others on specific topics and precise locations. If you’re looking for current information on news stories and events in Alabama—including the Alabama Gulf Coast—AL.com is an excellent resource.

Thanks to Clear Channel, a provider of entertainment and information services around the world, information relevant to the area is distributed via radio stations like 95 KSJ in Mobile. Along with music and news, Clear Channel radio also provides the latest information on local concerts and other events.

And thanks to both of these companies (as well as several other sponsors), the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission is able to support and promote a variety of sporting events throughout the year.

Thunder on the Gulf

We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the 8th Annual Thunder on the Gulf, which takes place October 12th to 17th. You can almost hear the “thunder” now!

The event will begin with the arrival of the boats at the dry pits at the Gulf State Park Pavilion and a 5 PM kick-off party at Florabama. The remainder of the week will involve viewing of the dry pits, free concerts (Bon Jovi and Brad Paisley will perform on October 15th and 17th), a poker run, more parties, and, of course, high-speed boat racing!

Viewing the races is free; admission is charged for the dry pits and parties. Visitors can purchase VIP passes at www.thunderonthegulf.com, which grant free access to pits, parties, and VIP tent. Official race merchandise will also be on sale throughout the event.