Football Greats Greet Fans at Gulf Shores
Stars will fall on Gulf Shores, Alabama, next month — the stars of Southeastern Conference football, that is. Headlining the first annual SEC BeachFest, which kicks off on Thursday, August 23, are Alabama, Auburn, and LSU coaches Nick Saban, Gene Chizik, and Les Miles. 
The four-day event, a joint project of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism and the SEC, celebrates the start of a new football season and welcomes newcomers Texas A&M and Missouri to the conference.
In addition to appearances by the SEC’s winning trio, who will talk about strategies for the upcoming football season, BeachFest includes a golf tournament, a 5K and a one-mile fun run, alumni parties for all 14 SEC schools, concerts by the B-52s and Dr. John, and football clinics taught by conference legends Gene Stallings, Vince Dooley, Pat Dye, and Phil Fulmer.
Local restaurants hosting the alumni parties, a waffle breakfast, and a Thursday night welcome party include Tacky Jack’s Gulf Shores, Tacky Jack’s Orange Beach, LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, The Hangout, and Cobalt.
The football clinics, concerts, and most other BeachFest activities will be held on the public beach at Gulf Shores.
Weekend passes, good for access to the concerts, sports clinics, and other activities, cost $25 per person, with children under 10 admitted free. VIP weekend passes, costing $250 each, include access to an air-conditioned hospitality lounge and preferred viewing area, a meet-and-greet with a former SEC coach, entry into a silent auction, event merchandise, and a photo with the National Championship Trophy.
Participation in the golf tournament costs $1,600 for a party of four and includes two rounds of golf, green fees, cart rental, a gift bag, food and beverages, four tickets to BeachFest, and invitations to the welcome party, hosted by Cobalt. Plus, $400 of the ticket price will be donated to the alumni association of the school of your choice.
Registration for the 5K run costs $25 per person ($30 for late registration). The price includes a BeachFest ticket and a waffle breakfast provided by The Hangout. Texas A&M and Missouri will be officially welcomed to the SEC during the breakfast.
To order tickets or sign up for the golf tournament, go to www.secbeachfest.com or www.facebook.com/SECBeachFest. The link to sign up for the run is at www.secbeachfest.com/events/5k-fun-run/.
For accommodations and additional places to eat, go to the following links at BeachGuide.com: Gulf Shores vacation rentals, Gulf Shores restaurants, Orange Beach vacation rentals, and Orange Beach restaurants.
