ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The city has mapped out how it will spend some of the $500,000 from a BP grant for marketing and promotions.

Several events, starting with the Bulls on the Beach this weekend, are getting an influx of cash to be spent on advertising. The Wharf will receive the largest portion to help bring big names and big crowds to town.

The awards are part of the tourism and seafood promotion grants awarded by BP as part of a proposed settlement following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Mayor Tony Kennon said the events chosen have been established here for a few years and are already spending on promotions.

“They are putting up some dollars and working hard themselves,” Kennon said. “It’s not like they are using just ours. Every one of them have been doing and promoting year round.

“There are others out there, but these are the ones I want to get taken care of now. These are events with a history, we know they are coming and they’ve put up a lot of money. Let’s get these out of the way.”

Kennon said this isn’t the end of the city’s giving to promote events and bring more visitors to town.

“If there are others out there then I’ll entertain a conversation with them,” he said.

Among the events are $25,000 to Bulls on the Beach which is in town on March 16, 23 and 30, $25,000 for The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show on April 25-28, $15,000 for Bama Coast Cruise, April 25-27 at The Wharf, $25,000 for first-ever Gumbo Festival on April 11-14 at The Wharf, $10,000 for Orange Beach Billfish Classic on May 15-19 at The Wharf and $15,000 for the Alabama Soccer Festival on Oct. 31-Nov. 3, in conjunction with 2013 SEC Women’s Soccer Championship at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

The city will give $200,000 to The Amphitheater at the Wharf to promote concerts there.

Kennon wanted to make it clear the money was not coming out of city coffers.

“This is the British Petroleum promotional $500,000 grant money,” he said. “It is not taxpayer dollars. It is specifically earmarked to promotions, event promotions and what we’re talking about allocating tonight comes out of that specific dollar amount.”

The city has been a big player in helping The Wharf promote concerts there.

“It’s very hard to make any money at the amphitheater,” Kennon said. “In fact they lost about $750,000 or better, but that’s subsidized somewhat by the BP money.”

Lately, Kennon said, the venue is going for quality not quantity.

“I think now, there won’t be as many concerts, but they’re trying to hit homeruns with every concert,” he said. “And so far the ones they’ve announced will be sellouts.”

The first of four announced shows will be Thursday when Luke Bryan comes to town. Also on the lineup are Kenny Chesney for April 11, Alabama for July 5 and the Dave Matthews Band on July 23.

“They’re looking another four minimum added to that, top names that should sell out,” City Administrator Ken Grimes said. “They can’t announce until the entertainers themselves release their tour schedules.”

A big weekend coming up will be when a boat show and car show come to town on the same weekend of April 25-28. Kennon believes the money will be well spent for all the events as well.

“I think it’s going to be a huge success,” Kennon said. “Both events are growing and have proven themselves. I think we said $25,000 on the boat show and $15,000 on the car show. That’s what I’m suggesting based on the meetings I’ve been and on what they are offering I think we’ll get a good bang for our buck during those six weekends.”

BP announced the grants in November. The city was awarded two $500,000 grants, one for each of the next two years. The Friends of the Arts Center also received a $500,000 grant.

Gulf Shores and the Alabama Gulf Chamber of Commerce were also each awarded two of the grants. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism was awarded one of the grants.

There were 350 applicants for the grants and 110 were awarded. The limit for the grants was $500,000. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail received a $226,430. The city of Foley also received some grant money.