Shrimp Festival canceled as Tropical Storm Isaias nears Gulf Coast

Organizers have canceled the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, citing the threat from Tropical Storm Isaias. The festival was scheduled for Oct. 8-11, 2026.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts Isaias to strengthen rapidly and become a hurricane by Thursday, Oct. 8, before approaching the northern Gulf Coast on Friday.

Coastal Alabama Business Chamber President Greg Alexander said he met early this morning with City of Gulf Shores Emergency Management officials. The chamber presents the festival each year.

“We made every attempt to conduct the festival this year, but due to the projection of high winds, heavy surf and rain over the weekend, it really left us no choice but to cancel this year’s event.”

Greg Alexander, president of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber

Rain, surf + flooding forecast for the Gulf Coast

Hurricane watches will likely be needed for part of the northern Gulf Coast later today, Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expect 3-6 inches of rain from Friday, Oct. 9, through the weekend from far southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, with totals up to 10 inches. Flash, urban and isolated river flooding are all possible.

The center also warned that swells will spread toward the Gulf Coast late this week and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The storm could become the Atlantic’s first hurricane of the 2026 season, according to reports from AccuWeather, with severe thunderstorms and a risk of tornadoes possible on its eastern side.

Shrimp Festival organizers put safety first

Shrimp Festival Chairman Rob Barnas said organizers were looking forward to a big weekend of food, music and crowds before the forecast changed.

“We were really looking forward to a great weekend with shrimp, music, hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors. But with Isaias predicted to make landfall in our immediate area, the safety of each of these volunteers, visitors and vendors was our top priority.”

Rob Barnas, chairman of the National Shrimp Festival

Further information will be posted on the festival’s social media pages and at myshrimpfest.com.

When is the next Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores?

The next Annual National Shrimp Festival is slated for Oct. 7-10, 2027, according to the festival’s website.

The festival is held at the public beach access in Gulf Shores where State Route 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway) ends and intersects with State Route 182 (Beach Boulevard).