May 1 – 2: Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
Foley Sports Park • 18507 US Highway 98 West, Foley
2 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fri., 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sat. Take a tethered ride or simply sit back and watch the floating works of art as they decorate the skies in the early morning and evening. For another gravity-defying spectacle, check out the World Famous Disc-Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show as man’s best friend reaches astonishing heights to fetch his favorite toy. Good times only get better with Carnival rides, a crawfish boil and live entertainment from Sugarcane Jane, Rhythm Intervention and more.
May 1 – 17: “Pippi Longstocking”
Playhouse in the Park • 4851 Museum Dr. 602-0630
7:30 p.m. Fri., 2:30 p.m. Sat. – Sun. Laugh along during all of Pippi’s adventures with her friends as Playhouse in the Park presents the story of a buccaneer captain’s playful and unpredictable 9-year-old daughter who does not want to become an adult. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and kids.
May 2: Wiggle Waggle Dog Day
Bellingrath Gardens and Home • 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd., Theodore.
8 a.m. Wiggle Waggle 5K Run (humans only), 9 a.m. Wiggle Waggle Walk (with pets). Explore the beauty of the gardens with your furry friends. Admission is free to runners and walkers and 50 percent off for family and friends of participants. Bring your pup along for an additional $5 donation to the Animal Rescue Foundation.
May 7: Cocktails with the Critters
Bluegill Restaurant • 3775 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Feast on tasty hors d’oeuvres and cool beverages while listening to the lively sounds of local singer-songwriter Eric Erdman. There will also be a silent auction featuring local art, jewelry, home goods and more. Tickets are $50 in advance, $55 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation.
May 7: A Taste of Towns
5 Rivers Delta Resource Center • 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sample dishes from more than 25 local restaurants while enjoying free drinks, a silent auction and live music by Grand Band Entertainment at this benefit for the Kiwanis Club of Daphne-Spanish Fort. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
May 9: 99 Bottles of Beer on the Lawn
Southern Napa • 2304 Main St, , Daphne. 375-2800
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Get your beer fix at Daphne's only craft beer festival with 99 beers to sample, food, live music from Brett LaGrave and a pet adoption from the Baldwin County Human Society. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event. Must be 21 to enter.
May 9: Creek Fest
Tricentennial Park • 2121 Lake Drive
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This free, family-friendly event features a cane pole fishing tournament (16 and under), live music from Eric Erdman, food, door prizes and educational exhibits celebrating Three Mile Creek.
May 15 – 17: Hangout Music Festival
The Hangout • 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores.
Music lovers from all over the U.S. will flock to the beaches of Gulf Shores to jam out at the largest music festival our area has to offer. This year's headliners include Grammy Award-winning artist Sam Smith as well as Beck, Foo Fighters and Zac Brown Band.
May 23: The Beach Boys & America
The Amphitheater at The Wharf • 23325 Amphitheater Dr., Orange Beach
8 p.m. Sing along to the classics “Help Me Rhonda, ” “I Get Around, ” “Good Vibrations“ and more. Tickets range from $25 – 70.
May 30: Grandman Triathlon
Fairhope
7 a.m. The race begins with a 1/3-mile swim in Mobile Bay, followed by an 18-mile bike ride through Fairhope and a 3.1-mile race to the finish line. The triathlon benefits Mobile Baykeeper, Camp Rap-A-Hope and the Gulf Coast Area Triathletes.
mobilebaymag.com staff