The weather is warming, the sun is shining and festival season is here. Bring your appetite and desire to have a fun day to The Wharf for the 32nd Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival and MAAAC Car Show, Saturday, Feb. 24.

The Orange Beach Seafood Festival is a mainstay event on the calendar for visitors and locals alike. The family-friendly event combines great food, entertainment and 100 local and regional arts and crafts vendors in one convenient location.

Visitors should come hungry and enjoy the bounty of the gulf. Beebe's is bringing their popular Crawfish Boil to Marlin Circle while most of the food vendors will be set up in the west parking lot (behind the movie theater). The food vendors selection covers it all from alligator and beans and rice to hibachi shrimp and seafood mac 'n' cheese. When it is time for something sweet, visit some of the specialty booths and snack vendors for old-fashioned soda, Hawaiian shaved ice and kettle corn.

The Makos Academics, Arts & Athletics Club's (MAAAC) annual car show is a big draw for the festival. The car show is a major fundraiser for the organization that supports all Orange Beach City Schools. The car show will line Main Street and Wharf Parkway with everything from classics to new cars. New for this year's car show is the addition of a Jeep category. Pre-registration ended Feb. 21, but day of registration is available. For more information on the car show or to register, visit www.obmaaac.org.

The Mystics of Pleasure and MAAAC have teamed up this year to hold a Jeep Drawdown. Tickets are $100 and the winner will walk away with a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Drawdown will take place at Marlin Circle at the end of the festival. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the MAAAC. To purchase a ticket, visit www.mysticsofpleasure.com.

The arts and crafts music stage, located in the west parking lot behind the movie theater, will feature three performers:

• 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Strickly Rivers
• 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Platinum Premier Band
• 2-4 p.m. – Funky Lampshades

The Mystics Stage at Marlin Circle will feature music from Tim Richard Robinson and a DJ between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Families will have plenty to enjoy in the Kids' Zone hosted by the MAAAC next to the Ferris wheel. There children can enjoy bouncy houses, face painting, balloon animals and encounters with the Orange Beach Wildlife Center animal ambassadors.

Parking

There's plenty of parking available at The Wharf. Volunteers from Orange Beach City School will be on hand to help park cars and will accept donations in support of the schools. Free shuttles will be available from Orange Beach Middle/High School. Pick-up is at the school bell tower and drops riders at The Wharf. The shuttle will run from approximately 9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., depending on the demand.

For more information on the festival, visit www.orangebeachal.gov/seafoodfest.