Oct. 13-16, Main Public Beach, Gulf Shores, AL
Savor fresh from the gulf seafood at the 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival during this four-day event that attracts over 300,000 people. Peruse through the wares of 300-plus vendors showcasing their fine art and crafts, and kick back to the continuous tunes from the two musical stages that will feature major National Recording artists as well as local favorites. Little ones will love the Children's Activity Village. Admission: Free to public. www.nationalshrimpfestival.com
Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
Oct 14 - 16, Lafayette Square Park, 530 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA
Shreveport guitar shredder Kenny Wayne Shepherd, legendary soul singer Bettye LaVette, R&B soul man Mel Waiters, Louisiana blues activist Tab Benoit, honky tonk piano queen Marcia Ball, sacred steel heroes The Campbell Brothers, roots supergroup the South Memphis String Band and Mississippi blues original Super Chikan are among the headline performers at the 2011 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival. Friday, Oct: 14: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 15 & Sunday, Oct. 16: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Admission: Free! www.jazzandheritage.org/blues-fest
5th Annual Port Aransas Art Walk - AKA - PA ARTABOUT
Oct. 15 4-8 pm, Port Aransas, TX
This art walk is planned to encourage and promote art and culture and let everyone know Port A is Port Arty! Starting in Old Town and winding out HWY 361, this is a self guided tour - start your tour at any point and follow the map, which will be available at all locations. This is a great opportunity to get out and walk, bike, or take a cart, and learn more about the art culture in this community. These 15 different venues are all free and open to the public, meet a variety of folks, mingle, have refreshments at each location and meet others who share a passion for art, or encourage a friend or neighbor more ...
14th annual ARToberFEST
Oct. 15-16, Downtown, Galveston, TX
Thousands gather amid the relaxing charm of historic downtown Galveston for this weekend of exquisite art each year. This juried fine arts festival will feature over 125 artists with a wide array of original works, as well as music and food, all in the great outdoors. But this event isn't just about beautiful pieces of art. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas and the Galveston Island Humane Society. The festival also offers booth space to student artists at no charge, allowing them to gain experience in marketing and selling their works. www.artoberfest.com
11th Annual Wavefest (New Gulf Coast Parrothead and Trop Rock Column - here)
Oct. 15, Garfield Ladner Municipal Pier, Beach Blvd & Coleman Ave, Waveland, MS
Arrrgh Matey! Calling all Parrot Heads and Jamaican rumrunners come join in the FUN for this family festival! This year's theme is "The Pirates of the Mississippi Sound" and features the Caribbean sounds of regional Tropical Rock, Parrot Head, and island rhythm bands from along the Coconut Telegraph line from Florida to New Orleans - live music all day! Enjoy a Caribbean flavored menu as you stroll among the many food vendors, arts & crafts and business booths, and do not forget to enter the contest for the best pirate costume, along with a children's treasure hunt. It is all about the Music, the Sand, and the Sea! Ahoy! Come aboard, put on those flip-flops, grab that shaker of salt, board your galleon, batten down the hatches, and weigh anchor for a voyage that will shiver your timbers with joy until the sun returns to the sea! 11am-8pm. Admission: Free! 228-467-0855
Goombay Fantasy Fest Street Festival
Oct. 21-22, 2011 - Key West, FL
The rich Caribbean tradition that flavors Key West's culture is to be celebrated during the 31st annual Goombay Festival. The exuberant street party showcases island arts and crafts, music and food in the heart of Key West's historic Bahama Village neighborhood. Goombay weekend marks the beginning of Fantasy Fest, the island city's masking and costuming gala scheduled Oct. 21-30. www.goombay-keywest.org
Baytowne Beer Fest
Oct. 21-22, 2011 - Sandestin, FL
The Baytowne Beer Festival is returning to Sandestin, at the Village at Baytowne Wharf. Come down and enjoy the crisp Fall weather... AND the over 100 varieties of beer and 40 craft brewers! You'll get "hands on" training with beer samplings and seminars, as well as great live music - a must for beer aficionados! www.baytownewharfbeerfestival.com
Haunted Hammock at Crane Point
Oct. 28, 2011 - Marathon, FL
The spirits of the Haunted Hammock will be causing mischief and mayhem at Crane Point from 6 - 9 p.m. with ghosts, goblins, spooky hayrides, food, fun, costume contests and more. Located at mile marker 50.5, bayside. www.cranepoint.net 305-743-9100
Hungry crab-heads are anxiously awaiting Oct. 15, the opening day of Florida's Stone Crab season. Visions of orange and black claws are dancing like sugarplums in the heads of crab lovers, for whom Christmas comes in October. Whether you catch your own, get them at a fish market, or dine on them at one of the many fine restaurants that serve them, they are a delicacy to be savored. 
Looking for good cause & a great bottle of wine
