Baldwin Times

The City of Orange Beach invites the public to the free 2nd Annual Orange Beach Freedom Festival that starts on Friday, September 30th at The Wharf with arts & crafts, free music, a car show, Jeep meet, among other things. The red, white and blue weekend will wrap up on the afternoon of Sunday, October 2nd at the Wharf Amphitheater with a benefit concert by John Rich of Big & Rich and patriotic speakers, including Kevin Lacz, a decorated former U.S. Navy Seal who earned a spot in the elite ranks of the special forces after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  

Appreciating and honoring the sacrifices made before us so we can enjoy our freedom today - as a community - is what Freedom Fest is all about. It’s more than a festival, it’s a statement, Mayor Tony Kennon says. 

“Orange Beach Freedom Fest is an opportunity to celebrate the greatest country in the world, which is America,” Kennon says. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate our patriots and heroes, some making the ultimate sacrifice so we can have the freedom and prosperity that we enjoy today. It is an opportunity for us to show our pride in the red, white and blue, and nothing says America more than community, hot rods, motorcycles, jeeps, music and food. 

“A trademark of our country is going above and beyond the call of duty and with this festival, Folds of Honor and other non-profit military groups will benefit as well as numerous community organizations. Everyone is invited to join us for this patriotic weekend in Orange Beach.” 

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st. The benefit concert and patriotic speakers event will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 2nd. 

BAMA COAST CRUISIN' CAR SHOW

The festival will be held in conjunction with the inaugural Fall Bama Coast Cruisin' event. Bama Coast Cruisin's vintage, classic and unique hotrods will line Main Street at The Wharf on Friday and Saturday. Do you have a hotrod and want to be a part of the fall car show? Visit https://bamacoastcruisin.com/fall/. 

A stage at Marlin Circle will be home to an iHeart Radio DJ on Friday and Saturday to keep the event lively. 

ZZ TOP & JEFF BECK

ZZ Top and Jeff Beck will be playing at the Amphitheater on Friday night as part of the C Spire Concert Series. Find ticket information on The Wharf Amphitheater website. 

ARTS AND CRAFTS, FOOD, FREE MUSIC, MORE…

Friday and Saturday will be full of more than 70 arts and crafts vendors selling a wide variety of wares, including glass bird feeders, pottery, fish print art, BBQ sauces, artwork, windchimes, patriotic apparel and art, among many other things. 

Additionally, a variety of military groups and nonprofits will be on hand including Operation Reconnect, Folds of Honor, American Legion Post 44, Marine Corps League, U.S. Air Force Reserve, U.S. Navy Recruiters, Miracle League of Coastal Alabama, and Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library.

The Orange Beach Police Department will run a Kids Fun Zone next to the Wharf Ferris wheel on Main Street in The Grove, with bouncy houses and other fun activities. Sales from two Pepsi trailers at the festival will benefit the Orange Beach Police Department Benevolent Fund. 

The food selection will have something for everyone. In addition to the restaurants at The Wharf, festival-goers will have their hands full with barbeque ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, Cajun pistols, gumbo, shrimp po-boys, grilled mahi, philly cheese steak, crawfish, oysters, and grouper tacos, among many other selections. Some of the specialty foods will include Hawaiian shaved ice, ice cream, kettle corn, smoothies, boiled peanuts, lemonade, and beer, provided by the Makos Academics, Arts and Athletics Club as a fundraiser. 

On Friday and Saturday, the entertainment lineup, organized by the Flora-Bama, includes the following live music on the stage on the arts and crafts side of the festival: 

Friday, September 30th

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Tony Brook - www.tonybrook.net

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Dew Pendleton - www.facebook.com/DewPendleton

1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Christina Christian - www.thechristinachristian.com

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. - The Krickets - www.thekrickets.com

Saturday, October 1st

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - David Chastang - www.facebook.com/DavidChastangBand

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Al and Cathy - alandcathy.com

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Charlie Argo - charlieargomusic.com

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Johnny Hayes - johnnyhayesmusic.com

PARKING

Parking will be available at The Wharf. A shuttle system will also run from the Orange Beach Sportsplex on Friday and Saturday, and at the Orange Beach Middle / High School parking lot on Saturday only. On-site festival parking on Friday and Saturday will be directed by Orange Beach City Schools with donations accepted for programs at Orange Beach schools. 

BENEFIT CONCERT AND PATRIOTIC SPEAKERS

The activities at the Wharf Amphitheater on Sunday, October 2nd will be much more than a benefit concert. The show will start at 1 p.m. with two patriotic speakers - Ben Walborn, former U.S. Navy Blue Angel, followed by Kevin Lacz, retired U.S. Navy Seal who served with "American Sniper" Chris Kyle and is the author of "The Last Punisher." The music will begin at 1:30 p.m. with local country rock artist Bruce Smelley and then John Rich of Big & Rich will close out the festival weekend. 

Tickets start at $20 and go up to $35, plus fees. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that helps provide educational scholarships to families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster. 

You don’t want to miss hearing from the former U.S. Navy SEAL Kevin "Dauber" Lacz. He found his way to military service after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2002, Lacz left college and joined the U.S. Navy. His sights were set on being the best. The Navy SEALs. Only 15% of would-be SEALs succeed. 

By the time he left military service, Lacz had two tours of duty under his belt, including a 2006 deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, with Charlie Platoon, Task Unit "Bruiser," where his performance as a platoon sniper and medic contributed to his unit becoming the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War. He served with "American Sniper" Chris Kyle. His actions earned him a Bronze Star Medal with a Combat V, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. 

His real life experiences would lead him to an unexpected role in Hollywood. During the production of "American Sniper," the film’s director, screen legend Clint Eastwood, urged Lacz to play himself in the movie. He played himself in the movie and was a technical advisor. The film, which details the life and death of SEAL Team veteran and Lacz’s friend, Chris Kyle, was nominated for an Academy Award. Bradley Cooper portrayed Kyle. 

Lacz is now a Physician’s Assistant with Regenesis. He and his wife started Hunting for Healing and he has written and released two books, including "The Last Punisher."  Lacz earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Connecticut and his master’s degree in medical science from Wake Forest University.

Also speaking Sunday will be former U.S. Navy Blue Angel Cmdr. Benjamin “Baxter” Walborn. Walborn, who served as the narrator, opposing and lead solo between 2009-11 for the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron returned to fly with the Angels in 2021 as the Blues’ No. 5 and lead solo pilot in the new Boeing Super Hornets. Prior to returning he served the previous three years as a commanding officer and Super Hornet pilot with the “Ragin’ Bulls” of VFA-37 at NAS Oceana in Virginia.

Between Walborn and Lacz and then music by Bruce Smelley and John Rich, it will most certainly be more than a benefit concert. It will be a patriotic afternoon and a perfect ending to Freedom Fest weekend. Get your tickets today and support Folds of Honor.  

MOTORCYCLE AND JEEP RALLY

On Saturday only, The Marshals Mardi Gras group will hold the 2nd Annual Let Freedom Roar Run and Rally with a motorcycle and Jeep parade, benefitting Youth Reach Gulf Coast. The Marshal group will stage in the Wharf marina parking lot and lawn and at the Event Center parking lot. For anyone wanting to sign up for the 2nd Annual Let Freedom Roar Run and Rally on Saturday, October 1st, registration will start at 10 a.m. with the parade to roll at noon. Registration is $25 per driver and $10 per passenger. To join the event, register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-let-freedom-roar-run-and-rally-tickets-372528983217.

On Friday, September 30th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Island Time Jeepers will hold a Jeep Meet and Parade during the festival. Parking will be at the marina parking lot and Event Center parking. It will include a parade at 1 p.m., a Poker Walk, Show 'N' Shine, and a Ducking Contest with proceeds benefitting Folds of Honor. Registration is not required, just show up. Find more details at https://www.facebook.com/Islandtimejeepers. 

Find more information about Freedom Fest weekend at www.orangebeachfreedomfest.com.

Original source can be found here.