Dinosaurs Downtown will feature 10 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, a dinosaur photo opportunity and a fossil dig where young children can excavate for their very own “fossils.” The animatronic dinosaurs will move, roar and, in some cases, even spit for Exploreum visitors! This exciting, full-sensory exhibit will transform the Exploreum’s courtyard into a thrilling Jurassic-era habitat complete with dinosaurs flying overhead, jungle foliage, watering holes and a waterfall. Dinosaurs Downtown exhibit will also feature many educational opportunities, including how robots and animatronics work, the study of different eating habits and predatory environments, and how fossils are found and tested. In conjunction with this exhibit, pening Jan. 4th in the J.L. Bedsole IMAX DOME Theater, is the film Dinosaurs Alive. This film is a global adventure of discovery – featuring life-sized dinos for the giant IMAX ® screen. Schools and tour groups are encouraged to book in advance. Parents are also encouraged to call ahead to book “Prehistoric Parties” as dino-themed birthdays for children. For more information please visit the website listed below or call 1-877-625-4FUN

www.exploreum.com

Mobile Bay is not only the home of the first-known Mardi Gras celebration in North America in 1703, but also home to the modern America’s Family Mardi Gras which delights all ages from across the nation. This magnificent celebration lasts for nearly three weeks and culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile Bay are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and excited crowds of parade goers. The floats are glowing spectacles manned by masked riders from secret Mardi Gras societies festooned in satin and sequins. They are armed with crowd-pleasing "throws" such as beads, moon pies, doubloons and candy. Mardi Gras must be experienced to be fully understood and Mobile Bay is the perfect place to do so. For more information, parade schedules and maps, please click on the link below or call 1-800-5-MOBILE. Parades on Dauphin Island begin January 16 and parades in downtown Mobile begin January 29.
Mardi Gras photo by Dan Anderson

www.mobilebay.org/vis_mardigras.php

The largest boat show on the Gulf Coast featuring hundreds of boats and marine accessories—inside, outside and in the water. Also, fishing, and educational seminars, workshops and a fishing tournament will top it all off. Thurs. & Fri., noon-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information visit them online or call (251)478-7469.

www.gulfcoastshows.com

Save the Date for the 2010 Chili Cook-Off!
The 21st Annual American Cancer Society Chili Cook-Off will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Bienville Square, downtown Mobile. Lots of chili, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Watch as the competition “heats up!” Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off benefit the American Cancer Society's educational programs that teach the importance of early detection and prevention; patient services such as transportation, prosthetics, counseling; and lifesaving research. For more information on the Chili Cook-Off, to purchase tickets, or to register a team, please call (251)344-9856 or 1-800-ACS-2345.

www.mobilechilicookoff.org

Annual event bringing cruise and travel vendors and consumers together. There are on stage performances, presentations, giveaways, and activities. Our agents are on hand to book your cruise or other vacation that day. Learn valuable information, win prizes and book the vacation of your dreams! The day ends with a free cruise giveaway! For more information, call Springdale Travel at (251) 476-5095 or visit their website listed below.

www.SpringdaleTravel.com

This March, be ready for mouth-watering barbecue at the BBQ Championship & Hog Wild Festival benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile. A great weekend of music on two stages and great food start off the BBQ Championship. Top teams from across the nation square off in the KCBS-sanctioned event. In addition, there is a "Shade-tree" backyard cookoff for novice cookers, along with a Pro-Am Division. Festival goers can also enjoy everything from cooking demonstrations to pig races. For more information please call (251) 479-4900 or (888) 630-7102 or visit the website listed below.

www.bbqmobile.net

The 9th Annual Luck of the Irish Celebration held in Downtown Mobile features fun for the whole family! First a 5k run, then an Irish Stew, and Corned Beef and Cabbage Cook-off in Bienville Square and finally a St. Patty's Parade. There will be live music and Irish dancers throughout the day and a large children's area. Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Mobile, benefiting the Exchange Club Family Center for Child Abuse Prevention in Mobile. For more information please visit the website below or call (251)479-5700.

www.luckoirish.org

Architecturally significant historic homes and sacred spaces will open their doors in Alabama's oldest city for the annual Mobile Historic Homes Tour this March. Mobile’s diverse architectural styles are fully represented on the tours which feature Creole cottages, Greek Revival mansions, Victorian and Neo-Classic residences. For tickets or more information, please visit the Historic Mobile Preservation Society website or call (251) 432-6161.

www.historicmobile.org

The 58th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival will take place in Fairhope, Alabama March 19-21, 2010. Over 250 exhibitors from throughout the nation will bring their best works to show and sell at this prestigious juried show. Live local entertainment will be going on throughout the three-day event and classic festival foods will be served up. It all takes place on the streets of beautiful downtown Fairhope, Alabama. Festival hours are 10 am - 5 pm daily and there is no admission charge. For more information, please call (251) 621-8222 or (251) 928-6387, or visit the website listed below.

www.eschamber.com/artscrafts/

A world-class antiques show partnered with a food and wine festival. Cooking demonstrations, wine and food tastings, antique sale and more. Admission charged. For more information call 251-694-0457, or visit the website listed below.

www.gcafwfest.com

The Festival of Flowers is acknowledged as the premier flower and garden event of the greater Gulf Coast. The Festival takes place during what is perhaps Mobile’s prettiest month, with trees leafing out all over and bloomers displaying their splendor. It is arrayed under tent and sky where over 300,000 square feet of exhibits enchant, entertain, and educate visitors at this feast for all the senses.. For more information, please call 1-877-777-0529 or (251)639-2050 or you can visit the website listed below.

www.FestivalOfFlowers.com

Arts Alive! takes place in the Cathedral Square Arts District in downtown Mobile. Mobile’s downtown arts festival is set to make “art happen” once again this Spring. Scheduled for April 9, 10 and 11, the festival offers three days of varied artistic experiences and interactive and hands-on activities. The hallmark of Arts Alive! since inception has been it’s multi-dimensional arts platform. Each day showcases a wide selection of art genres – theater, film, visual, music, dance – all featuring local and regional talent. For more information please visit the website below or call (251)694-0457

www.artsalivemobile.com

This event features shrimp prepared in every way you could possibly imagine. From grilled to gumbo and bisques to boils, you can taste the best shrimp on the coast. Cook-Off is held in Bienville Square in Downtown Mobile in the late morning to early afternoon hours. For more information, please call (251) 433-4456.

www.volunteermobile.org

Join us each Saturday on Cathedral Square for farm fresh flavor! Shop for the freshest crop in town! This time of year is our favorite because you can get locally grown: tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, seafood, flowers, plants, baked breads, casseroles, pies, handcrafted goods and so much more. Stay for live music on the green! Each Saturday through July 24th. Open 7:30am - 11am. For more information, call (251)208-7443 or visit the website listed below.

www.ncsmobile.org/

A fun filled celebration of the GLBT community. Everyone is encouraged to come help celebrate!!! Friday night is the PrideFest Kick Off Party. Saturday and Sunday feature vendors, food booths, arts, nationally known entertainment and the biggest Pride Parade in Alabama. For a detailed schedule or more information please visit the website listed below, or call (251)431-9002.

mobilealabamapride.com/pridefest.htm