Freedom Fest and the Bama Coast Cruisin' Car Show are set to return to Orange Beach Oct. 4-5.

The fourth-annual rendition of the event will take over The Wharf, with a new addition of the nonprofit Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association hosting a collectible firearms show at the Orange Beach Event Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Freedom Fest weekend will kick off Friday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with arts and crafts and outdoor experience vendor booths on the Wharf's west side, along with food vendors and a music stage. Bama Coast Cruisin' show's vintage and classic cars will be lining Main Street along with a Kids' Zone next to the Ferris wheel. Military and veteran groups will be stationed on Wharf Parkway with activities and information. Military and veteran groups confirmed as of Sept. 4 include U.S. Air Force Reserves, Alabama Army National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Corps League, the American Legion and the 6th Ranger Training Battalion with its Reptile Team and static displays.

On Friday, Orange Beach police and fire will be on site offering demonstrations. On Saturday, a motorcycle and Jeep rally adds to the festive weekend, including a beach cruise at noon. Bama Coast Cruisin' participants will have their own parade to the beach late Saturday afternoon.

The goal of Bama Coast Cruisin' is to create an inclusive show that welcomes anyone who loves cars and enjoys cruisin' the open road. There are no restrictions to the vehicles that can be entered into the show. Their motto is: "Bring your dream ride & cruise with us!"

The Flora-Bama CoastAL Music Stage will have good tunes going on all weekend, and a Bell UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" helicopter will be flying over the Orange Beach Sportsplex on Friday and Saturday during the festival to add to the sound of freedom. The Friends of Army Aviation will be conducting living history flights.
Happening the same weekend and teaming up with Freedom Fest is the Mogadishu Mile run at the Flora-Bama.

The MOG Mile, a 1-mile free informal run open to the community in support of ranger veterans, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at noon as part of the United States Army Ranger Association's commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu at the Flora-Bama.

Rangers past and present will honor those who fought and died on this historic day by running or walking a mile on the sand behind Flora-Bama. This movement is often referred to as the Mogadishu Mile or MOG Mile. The public is encouraged to come stand on the sand and cheer the participants on.

For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/yf79pftm.