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It’s Friday, Orange Beach! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Ballyhoo Festival, Waterville USA opening day, and someone Googled you this week + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Boosting tech confidence together: Baldwin County seniors get free one-on-one help for calling, texting, and apps as Cell Phone Fridays continues today at Baldwin County Council on Aging’s Robertsdale office, appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome — get all the details.
A coastal celebration awaits: The 12th Annual Ballyhoo Festival returns to Gulf State Park this weekend, with 100 plus juried artists, Poarch Creek dancers, a fiddle and banjo contest, and eats on Lake Shelby — get all the details.
What to expect and where: Orange Beach’s St. Thomas by the Sea hosts a Friday fish fry today from 4 to 6 p.m., supporting charity, with more Lenten dinners at other nearby Catholic churches — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
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🫶 We got your back
Plant-powered pick-me-up: Whether you’re post-beach, pre-gym, or dodging another fried-seafood spiral, Soul Bowlz blends made-to-order acai bowls and smoothies that stay light without feeling like homework. Quick, refreshing, and surprisingly satisfying… the reliable reset when you want something you won’t regret.
Treasure hunt, no shovel: At J Streets on the Canal, a laid-back maze of antique furniture and oddball collectibles keeps shifting, so every lap feels new. It rewards unhurried wandering, with staff ready to steer you toward something you didn’t know you needed.
Link up for keeps: If your stack feels blah, Evermore Permanent Jewelry will custom-fit a chain, weld it in seconds, and send you back to beach life without fuss. Mark a moment or just treat yourself, solo or with your favorite partner in shine… low-key, lasting, and effortlessly chic.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
📚 Homeschool Days @ Learning Campus at Gulf State Park | Friday (3/6) at 1:00 PM – Trade the kitchen table for the Learning Campus and let homeschoolers dig, tinker, and garden through monthly classes at Gulf State Park. Two classes run concurrently for ages 5 to 11 and 12 to 18, with archaeology, Auburn scientists, seed take-homes, and new friends.
🏃 Perdido Beach Resort Half Marathon, 5k & Fun Run @ Perdido Beach Resort | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 AM – Perdido’s serving scenic miles with a side of Gulf breeze, as the half, 5K, and fun run cruise the beachfront for the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation. Score swag, the post-race party at Perdido Beach Resort, and the right to a poolside nap, with race-cation rates.
🏃 Bunny Hop 5k & Fun Run @ The Wharf Orange Beach Alabama | Saturday (3/7) at 8:30 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to earn brunch, the 14th Bunny Hop 5K and Fun Run at The Wharf is calling, honoring Ann Reese Grote and funding scholarships for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach seniors. Jog, stroll, or just rock the cute tee.
🎨 Ballyhoo Festival of Fine Arts & Culture @ Lake Shelby Gulf State Park | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats fine art with a Gulf breeze, and Ballyhoo at Gulf State Park is the classy kickoff we actually want. Think 110 juried artists, the Poarch Creek Indians, a fiddle and banjo showdown, music, food trucks, Lake Shelby views, free entry, and shuttles.
🚴 Bike Event @ Orange Beach Waterfront Park | Saturday (3/7) at 9:30 AM – Waterfront Park is going full two-wheeled with a free, all-ages bike workshop and demo. Parks and Rec, Orange Beach Police, Coastal Resources, and Infinity Bicycles will cover safety, maintenance, and better rides, with refreshments, door prizes, and zero Lycra shaming. Pedal in, leave smug.
🎢 Waterville USA Opening Day @ Waterville USA | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Waterville USA is kicking off the 2026 season with Opening Day, and your inner kid just called shotgun on the first coaster. Treat the grandkids, your knees, and your nostalgia, then supervise from the lazy river while calling it cardio, recovery, and quality time.
💀 Spiral Light @ Big Beach Brewing Company | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – If your tie-dye’s been languishing in the closet, Big Beach in Gulf Shores is calling. Spiral Light rolls in with a jammy Grateful Dead set, plenty of patio vibes, and pints that keep pace with the solos. Expect familiar riffs, friendly twirls, and zero judgment.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Orange Beach report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 73°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 19%
Areas of fog and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Areas of fog after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 73°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 10%
Patchy fog before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.
This house is wild
Paradise View at The Oasis of Orange Beach soars on the 30th floor, a 4-bed, 4.5-bath penthouse with 11-foot ceilings and a Gulf-front balcony. Panoramic vistas anchor the great room. Resort highlights include a 16th-floor gym, lazy river, pools and hot tubs, and an adults only pool bar. Best of Baldwin winner and proven rental with 275 five-star VRBO reviews.
Take a peek inside →
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