The Fort Morgan Seafood Festival will return May 9-10 at Fort Morgan Marina, bringing a weekend of fresh Gulf Coast flavors, live music and family-friendly activities while raising money for a local cause.

The annual event, set for Mother’s Day weekend, runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with free admission, free parking and free boat parking including 30 wet slips. Proceeds benefit the Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department, helping support essential emergency services in the community.

Visitors can expect a wide range of seafood and local fare from vendors such as Beach Bums Coffee & Deli, Juanita’s Food Truck, Selah Fort Morgan Coffee and Tacky Jacks, which will serve a Low Country Boil along with restaurant favorites.

Beyond the food, the festival will feature a large selection of retail and craft vendors highlighting local artists, makers and organizations. Participating groups include Alabama Adult & Teen Challenge, Anne & Lowell Webb, Beach Bum Services, Fluffy’s Bait Shack, Fort Morgan Concierge Services, Fort Morgan Properties by Reed Real Estate and the Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department and its Ladies Auxiliary. Additional vendors include Hope’s Art, Keep Fort Morgan Wild Art by Alex, Linda Zigler, Maggie Marlene, Michelle Caminiti Marshall, Seafood Off the Boat by Fresh Market Seafood and Wholly Fire Foods.

Family activities will play a central role, with a Kid Zone offering free face painting and hands-on arts and crafts including oyster shell painting. Educational booths hosted by groups such as Alabama Coastal Foundation, Mobile Baykeeper and Share the Beach will provide interactive opportunities focused on coastal conservation and environmental protection.

Live music is scheduled throughout the weekend, beginning Friday, May 8, with Les Linton performing from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tacky Jacks 2 in a 21+ show. Saturday’s lineup includes Clay Watson from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Lauren Murphy from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by Slide Bayou from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tacky Jacks 2. On Sunday, Matthew Jaquette will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Ryan Balthrop from 2 to 5 p.m. and Cadillac Attack from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tacky Jacks 2, also for ages 21 and older.

Among the weekend’s highlights is the Splash-4-Ca$h fundraiser, where attendees can dunk local celebrities for a $5 donation benefiting the fire department. Visitors can also book boat tours to the Sand Island Lighthouse for $25 per person through Koka Charters and Blue’s Charter, offering a close-up view of one of the area’s historic landmarks.

The festival is sponsored by Fort Morgan Marina, Tacky Jacks, Fort Morgan Civic Association and Alabama’s Beaches, bringing together local businesses and organizations in a celebration of community, culture and coastal living.

Event organizers say the festival continues to grow as a signature spring gathering along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, blending tourism with local support for first responders and environmental education.