The Ballyhoo Festival returns to Gulf State Park March 5-6 after a year hiatus due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Eighth Annual Ballyhoo Festival will fill the Gulf State Park's Lake Shelby picnic area with artists and vendors from across the region with a wide range of offerings from painting, pottery, jewelry, metal art, wood carving, textile art and mixed media.

The family friendly event promises a weekend full of performances by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Fiddle and Banjo Competitions in partnership with the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and Flora-Bama, music and food.

The heart of this festival is the cultural exchange with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians who will perform original tribal dances in ceremonial regalia. The performance is one you should not miss. The Poarch Creek Indians will perform on the Wind Creek Stage Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to utilize the bike and walking trails in Gulf State Park to reach the Lake Shelby picnic area. Shuttles will be provided from the Gulf State Pier parking area and Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion parking area. All parking site fees are controlled by the State of Alabama and the Gulf State Park. The Lake Shelby picnic area is located at 20115 Alabama 135 in Gulf Shores.

For more information on parking, vendors or the full musical lineup, visit ballyhoofestival.org.