Top 10 Reasons You Need to Spend New Years at The Wharf

#10 It’s not just any old block party, it’s an experience
#9 There is something for everyone
#8 Where else can you eat, shop, stay and play in one place? Stay in one of our luxurious condo, and never have to get in your car to go anywhere
#7 Over 15 Bars and Restaurants to celebrate- you can pick one or try them all
#6 There are 87 TV’s on property to watch any bowl game you want
#5 You can get here by car, plane or boat. Located at the end of the beach express toll bridge and canal road. Jack Edwards Airport is about 4 miles away from the resort. And you can even get here by boat. Pull right up on the Intercoastal Waterway between mile markers 158-159 and dock for the night
#4 It's THE place to see and BE seen- Look at our pictures from last year—Main Street and Wharf Parkway are always packed
#3 Not one, but two bands are performing on Main Street. Country, rock and roll and Motown from John Stone and Crystal Clear– so there will be plenty of dancing all night long
#2 You’ll see the best firework show on The Island

And the #1 reason to spend you New Year’s Celebration at The Wharf:

It’s FREE!!!

Getting Ready for the Biggest Block Party on The Island

Ah, ah, hem. 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Happy 2009!

Yes, I am already so excited that I'm practicing for the grand countdown to 2009 at The Wharf’s New Years Eve Block Party.

And why wouldn’t anyone be excited? If you haven’t ever been before, this third annual event will knock your socks off – and yes it might be a little chilly, even at the beach, for those of you that may be first-timers!

Best of all it’s FREE!

Not one, but TWO bands will hit the stage for New Years this year at 7 p.m. – John Stone and Crystal Clear! The streets will be rocking and rolling with sound from country, rock and blues to a Motown extravaganza. You can dance on the streets to your favorite tunes and sensational sounds as The Wharf brings in the New Year!

Screens on Main Street will have the countdown to 2009, followed by an explosion of pyrotechnics that rock the Island. The fireworks show – which promises to be the best ever -- will explode right over your head to celebrate the coming of a new year!

But the party of the year doesn’t stop on the streets. Retail shops and restaurants will join in the celebration! Where else can you go wherever you want and do whatever you want without ever having to leave. If you want to watch your favorite team in a bowl games that night – we’ve got 87 TV’s to do it. Want to drink and dance the night away in a safe atmosphere – we’ve get all types of bars, restaurants, and don’t forget, there is always dancing in the streets! You may want fine dining and a glass of champagne to bring in the New Year – yep you guessed it, all here at The Wharf!

If you are in the mood to grab a bite to eat, watch your team on the big screen, or socialize a little, don’t worry about missing the entertainment on Main Street from John Stone or Crystal Clear. We’ll have live feed from bands on Main Street with huge screens, so you’ll be able to see them performing wherever you are!

The stage for the bands will be at the end of Main Street, at the roundabout meeting Wharf Parkway – right where the Christmas Tree is now! You won’t be able to miss it.

Coming by car? Instead of worrying about driving home after the party is over, why not book a condo for your stay? And hey, if you don’t really want to get out in the crowd of people on Main Street and Wharf Parkway for the block party – you can enjoy the tunes from your balcony! A reservation specialist can help you to some great deals for this fabulous night. Call one today at 251.224.1500. Be sure to mention this blog!

Maybe you’d rather come by boat – since we are on the Intercoastal Waterway! Why not book reservations for a slip too? We are also having a special for slip leases as well for New Years -- $3 a foot – you can’t beat it! Call 251.224.1900 for info!

Our supporting sponsors for this event include Alabama Big Print, Fox 10 and the CW, and MGD 64 – who is having a Resolution Revolution. Did you know 3 MGD 64’s are only 1 Weight Watcher ® point? Well, that’s what I’ve heard, and regardless – it’s a great alternative to start off the new year right with a good taste that won’t kill you on the scale the next morning!

Mark your calendar and come celebrate at the intersection of Canal Road and the Beach Express! Come on over, down or up – and don’t forget, it’s FREE!!!

What A Weekend!

What a weekend!

The Pleasure Island Christmas Parade was a HUGE success. So many smiling faces from the community came to watch performers march down Wharf Parkway and Main Street, catch candy and Christmas memoirs, sing-a-long with bands and music, and even to wave at good ol’ St. Nick! The day was filled with delight and surprises, even from the sky—as soon as the parade started down Wharf Parkway, it began to snow!

With the beautiful weather, the crowds of people stayed around even after the parade had finished to count their candy, chat with friends old and new, and grab a bite to eat before they left.

After the parade, we had musical entertainment from the Starlight Theater group, Cary Laine performed at Palm Plaza, and Santa even stayed for free pictures.

Later that night, I enjoyed the whimsical sights and sounds of the Nautical Night of Lights Parade on the Intercoastal Waterway.


We had a perfect view of all the decorated boats that paraded by The Marina at The Wharf on their route, with the boats passing by a little after 6. It was truly a beautiful sight, and while here, people could watch from the privacy of their own condo or while enjoying a meal at one of our 15 restaurants! This was the perfect place to watch them.


Two parades in one day really gets everyone in the Christmas spirit. Speaking of Christmas spirit, it won’t be too long until you’ll need all of your Christmas presents. For those of you that are last minutes shoppers, come to any of our retailers for a nice surprise for your loved ones or even get a gift certificate from one of our fine restaurants! You can find something for everyone on your list with over 45 stores in one convenient location at the largest shopping center on The Island, and in turn, you can give back to The Island by keeping your tax dollar revenue from shopping local when you shop at The Wharf.

The Wharf’s Christmas festivities are not complete yet though. We still have Santa taking FREE pictures next Saturday, and have Christmas music this Thursday. And, I’ve noticed that it always seems to snow from 5 to 6 in the evenings here. Maybe you should come check it out!

Don’t forget to be making plans for our New Years Block Party! With John Stone and Crystal Clear, it will be sensational! Keep checking back for more updates on our New Year's Plans.

New Year's Eve Block Party at The Wharf

The annual New Year’s Eve Block Party at The Wharf is set for Wednesday, December 31st and is FREE to the public! This exciting Island tradition is the only place in Alabama to hear live performances by up and coming country star John Stone and Motown sensation Crystal Clear, as well as see the Gulf Coast’s largest fireworks display at midnight!

Live music begins at 7 p.m., so plan to come early and stay all evening! The Wharf has the Island’s largest selection of restaurants, cafes, and bars all in one place that are great for dinner, snacks, and drinks.

A northern Alabama native, John Stone picked up the guitar when he was six and as time progressed, he has learned to play the bass, drums, harmonica and piano. He has in fact championed the hurdles before him to become a seasoned performer. He’s a singer/songwriter who delivers a live performance with magnetism, energy and honesty.

Setting a standard with already notable career achievements, recording artist John Stone is off to a good start with his released his debut album on Tootsie’s Records in October 2004 (MEET JOHN STONE), and he has proven himself as a world-class songwriter with the success of his first self-penned single “Shame On Me.” He visited more than 200 radio stations across the nation as well as toured with and opened for some of today’s hottest country acts.

John made an appearance on the Today Show, performed at six presidential campaigns for President George W. Bush, and he made a special appearance for Tim McGraw’s NFL halftime highlights segment taped for Monday Night Football (by NFL Films).


Crystal Clear will join the stage that night to perform exciting blends of Classic R&B, Jazz, and current dance favorites as a party band that delivers for any occasion. Tight rhythms and great vocals highlight the music that this Birmingham dance band performs.

This Motown sensation will be sure to rock the streets for New Years!


Hope you will come enjoy the block party!

Four Days Until The Pleasure Island Christmas Parade

In four days, I will host the first Pleasure Island Christmas Parade for the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area – and I’m super excited about this event!

In four days, we are hosting the first Pleasure Island Christmas Parade for the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area (That’s this Saturday, December 13) – and I’m super excited about this event!

Come watch your friends from the City of Orange Beach, Sheriffs, Orange Beach Fire Department, Foley Drum Line, Pride of Pleasure Island Band, Orange Beach Elementary, Church groups, members of the Lions Club and Kiwanis, and even Mardi Gras groups as they parade down Main Street on Saturday. There will be floats, music, and even Santa!

Any last minute volunteers would be appreciated. If you are interested, please contact Lesley Dethloff at 251.224.1012.

After the parade, stick around for free pictures with Santa, sponsored by Pen Air Credit Union. Also, listen to the Starlight Theater Group at Palm Plaza. It will be music to your ears!

Later in the evening, you can also enjoy the Nautical Night of Lights Parade. You’ll have a great view from our Marina as these decorated boats pass by on the Intercoastal. So hang out and grab something to eat at one of our 15 restaurants, and enjoy this event!

While we are on the subject of the holidays, I would like to encourage you to shop the Island first for all of your gift giving needs, as well as your dining and entertainment options. When you think about it, anything you spend here at The Wharf or on the Island in turn gives your community tax dollars. These tax dollars provide necessary funding for police, fire divisions and public works for our area. Shop the Island First, at the largest shopping center on the Island and support your local community.

Hope to see you here on Saturday! Just go ahead and plan on staying all day!

Last Concert of the Season!

Well, it’s a bittersweet moment for me. Today marks the end of The Amphitheater at The Wharf’s year with the last concert of the season for 2008, which is sad for patrons and staff members alike. However, it gives me the opportunity to enjoy one last concert of the musical talent of 3 Doors Down, Switchfoot, and American Bang --- I guess you can say we are going out with a bang! We will be rocking on the Island all night!

And why wouldn’t we be excited? 3 Doors Down decade plus ascension holds claim to 13 million albums sold, 3 multiplatinum albums, six #1 hits, multiple Billboard and countless other awards. Switchfoot has had #1 songs on Billboard and Christian charts, and even a Grammy nomination for “Learning to Breathe”. In 2002, the popular movie A Walk To Remember featured with several tracks on the gold selling album. Their recent album "The Beautiful Letdown" sold over 2,000,000 copies and boasted the smash hits "Dare You To Move" and "Meant To Live.” American Bang, who will hit The Amphitheater stage first, released a new hit October 23 for music fans across the country to experience what this up and coming quartet’s sizeable grass-roots following has know since 2005. American Bang built up a grass-roots audience playing locally, earning a reputation for their high-energy, no-holds-barred live shows.

The end of the season allows time to reflect on the year. And to think back --- wow! I have met some of the biggest names in music, rookies as well as legends, including Alan Jackson, Sugarland, BB King, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, The Allman Brothers, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Taylor Swift, Widespread Panic, Heart and Journey. To think all of these great names have stood on the stage is humbling and exhilarating at the same time. And what about next year! How many great concerts will The Amphitheater stage host in 2009? When is the first concert? Rumors seem to be circulating that some very big names are promising!

I can’t wait to see what the 2009 season holds in store for The Amphitheater.

But for now, I’m getting ready for the New Year’s Block Party with John Stone and Crystal Clear. Should be a rocking good time!

Let It Snow!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! On November 28th, visitors to The Wharf received a nice suprise to highlight the memorable event of The Lighting of The Island on Main Street. Check out this new video to see what happened!

The Lighting of The Island

Check out this clip from The Wharf as Darwin Singleton from NBC 15 and Santa countdown The Lighting of The Island on November 28th at The Christmas Tree at The Wharf, which is located at the center of Main Street and Wharf Parkway.

We Have Walls!

That’s right - you heard it here first! The first wall is officially up at The Conference Center at The Wharf.

Planned at approximately 27,000 square feet, The Conference Center will accommodate meeting room space through a partitioned wall system, a Green Room, state-of-the-art audio and visual technology, and a catering kitchen. When the wall system is not used, the conference center will serve as an 18,600-square-foot exhibition hall, which will accommodate more than 2,000 guests for reception or theater seating and more than 1,500 for banquet seating.

The Conference Center at The Wharf will be able to host a variety of groups and events, including association meetings, special events, sporting events and more. Early bookings for 2009 include Student Life, a youth ministry organization that will use the conference center from May through August for its summer camps.

THE WHARF CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS IN A BIG WAY

Its finally our favorite time of the year here at The Wharf and we here at The Wharf are planning to celebrate Christmas in a BIG way this year. The annual “hanging of the green” started last week. Garland now flows from every railing along Wharf Parkway and Main Street. Rumor has it that the tree will arrive this week. The tree is 40 feet tall – the tallest on the Island we hear. Excitement definitely fills the air at The Wharf right now and it could not come soon enough!

The merriment officially kicks off this Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, at 6:00pm, at the “Lighting of the Island” event. Friends and family of The Wharf and the Island are invited to come cheer along as the grand Christmas tree is lit. This year’s tree will be placed in the round about at the end of Main Street, in front of the Guy Harvey boat bar. The highlight of the evening will be the arrival of our favorite jolly old man - Santa - escorted by Orange Beach’s finest – the fire department. That’s right – Santa will arrive atop of big red fire truck! Children will not want to miss this! Santa will hang around after his arrival for a few hours to offer FREE pictures. No need to bring your camera; a photographer will be on-site and The Wharf will post the pictures on its website after the event. The wonderful night is presented by NBC15 and UTV44 and Pen Air Credit Union. Thank you to our wonderful sponsors.

If you cannot make it out Friday to visit Ole’ Saint Nick, don’t worry. He will be back at The Wharf every Saturday through the holiday season. Santa will perch himself atop his giant sleigh every Saturday from 1pm-5pm right next to the Christmas tree. Pictures are FREE each Saturday as well. I hear that Santa is fond of pets and has extended an open invitation to pet owners to bring their dogs as well! Peace on earth and good will to men and PETS this year! The Saturday events are presented by NBC15 and UTV44 and Pen Air Credit Union.

Since Santa will be busy sharing the camera with all his adoring fans, he might need a little help taking care of all his lists and The Wharf is THE place to take care of this. The Wharf is the largest shopping center on the Island, and has something for everyone on your list. Get dad a shirt at Bobby Chan, a fishing shirt at Sand Dollar, a fishing rod at The Wharf Outfitters Outdoor Store or a gift certificate to a sports bar so you can get him out of the house to go watch bowls games during the holidays! There are so many great gift shops to take care of all of your teacher gifts, friend gifts or, if you cannot resist the temptation to pick up some things here and there for yourself, “me” gifts. The Wharf has a ladies clothing option for all price ranges and ages. Support the local economy and your local retailers by doing your Christmas shopping at The Wharf this year. Park, shop, eat and play – a great way to spend a day this holiday season.

For those who love Christmas music, The Wharf will feature Christmas carolers from local community groups every Thursday beginning December 4th. This event is free to the public, and is a great way to get in the holiday spirit by bringing your family and friends together for a unique Christmas experience at The Wharf. Hear these festive carolers at The Wharf:

December 2nd … St. Benedict Children’s Choir
December 4th … Orange Beach Girl Scouts
December 11th … Orange Beach Methodist
December 16th … Gulf Shores High School
December 20th … Gulf Shores Baptist Bell Choir

Finally, I have one last holiday event to share. Thanks to the relentless effort of The Wharf’s own event coordinator, Lesley Dethloff, the Island is going to host the 1st Annual “Pleasure Island Christmas Parade”. This inaugural event is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 13th, at The Wharf. The cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have come together to make this event possible. The parade will be an exciting event that will be community focused and family oriented. Entrants to date include area high school bands and drum lines, several floats, fire trucks, local charity groups and local businesses. The parade will end with a special guest – you guessed it – Santa. This event is sure to become an island tradition that you just simply cannot miss! Go to www.thewharfal.com to get entry information. Thanks to our great sponsors - Cat Country 98.7 and NBC15

That’s all I have to share now! Stay tuned for future updates, pictures and a surprise announcement. I will give you one hint – when is the last time it snowed in the Island???

Visit www.TheWharfAL.com or text the word ‘WHARF’ to TEXT ME (839863) for all your Wharf holiday events and retail sales information!