The City of Gulf Shores announced road closures and detours related to the upcoming 50th-Annual National Shrimp Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place Oct. 12-15 at the intersection of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard.

According to a press release, there will be a park and ride shuttle service available to those attending the festival, with transportation wristbands priced at $5 per day. Wristbands will allow riders to use unlimited rides to and from the festival grounds on the day of purchase. However, the release states, that according to state law, children under the age of 5 are not allowed to ride the shuttle buses. The detours and shuttle information are as follows:

Traffic closures/detours:
- West Gulf Place parking lot will close to the public starting on Monday, Oct. 9, to be used for tent and food vendor setup.
- Highway 59 will be closed at 1st Avenue starting on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

- Highway 182 (Gulf Beach Boulevard) will be closed to the public between E. 1st St. and W. 3rd St., in front of Gulf Place Public Beach, starting on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
- East Gulf Place (Resident Parking Lot) will be closed to the public starting on Thursday, Oct. 12, and will be used as vendor parking and a shuttle location.
- Eastbound traffic toward Orange Beach should consider using Highway 180 East or State Park Road Highway 135 as alternate routes.

Shuttle Schedule:
Thursday, Oct. 12 – 1:30 p.m.-10:15 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 13 – 9:45 a.m.-10:15 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14 – 9:45 a.m.-10:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15 – 9:45 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Shuttle Stops/Parking Locations:
Pelican Place at Craft Farms Shopping Center in Gulf Shores
Erie H. Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores – 1930 W. 2nd St., Gulf Shores
Waves Grocery in Gulf Shores – 1154 W. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores
Rouses Grocery in Orange Beach – 25405 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach
Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park – 20115 AL-135, Gulf Shores

According to the release, the drop-off location for the east shuttle will be at the East Gulf Place Public Beach Access. The drop-off location for the north/west shuttle will be at the corner of W. 2nd St. and West Beach Boulevard. Public Beaches.

All public beaches will remain open throughout the festival, and all proceeds from the shuttle service will go to the Gulf Shores City Schools' athletic club and band booster club.

For more information regarding detours or closures, contact the public works department at 251-968-1156. For more information about the 50th Annual National Shrimp Festival, visit www.myshrimpfest.com.