Pardon Our Progress: Work begins on East Canal Road widening

Work has commenced on the East Canal Road widening RESTORE grant project from Highway 161 to Wilson Boulevard. 

This roughly 1.4-mile section of Canal Road will be expanded to five lanes to allow for a middle turn lane. A roundabout will be constructed near the public library and a 10-foot multi-use path will be created on the north side of the road between Callaway Drive and Wilson Boulevard. 

Thompson Engineering is the project engineer and John G. Walton Construction Company, Inc. was awarded the construction contract in the amount of $7.36 million. The majority of the cost for this project will be paid for with post-BP oil spill Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) funds. The RESTORE grant will cover $5.9 million. 

The contractor began clearing areas along the route this week and that will continue next week. Also, next week the grading of the roundabout area is expected to begin. Work on the multi-use path began this week on the west end of Canal Road and that will continue as the path construction moves east.

The overall construction is expected to take a year and a half with completion in early 2024.

FREEDOM FEST - AN ALL-AMERICAN WEEKEND - SEPT. 30-OCT. 2, 2022
 

The 2nd Annual Orange Beach Freedom Fest is going to be a patriotic weekend to remember at The Wharf. The three-day festival will be capped off on Sunday, October 2nd with a benefit concert and guest speakers at the Amphitheater, headlined by John Rich of Big & Rich. 

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that helps provide families of fallen and disabled service members educational scholarships. 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. The music will begin at 1:30 p.m. with local country rock artist Bruce Smelley and then John Rich will close out the festival weekend. 

Overall, the festival will be held on Friday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 2. It will be a true, down-home celebration of America with the car show on Friday and Saturday, concerts, special patriotic speakers, arts & crafts, children's activities, food... just an All-American red, white and blue weekend in Orange Beach, Alabama. On the Friday of Freedom Fest, ZZ Top and Jeff Beck will be playing at the Amphitheater as part of the C Spire Concert Series. Find ticket information on The Wharf Amphitheater website. 

The festival will be held in conjunction with the inaugural Fall Bama Coast Cruisin' event. Bama Coast Cruisin' participants will line Main Street at The Wharf on Friday and Saturday. For those looking to join the fall car show, visit https://bamacoastcruisin.com/fall/. 

On Saturday, October 1st The Marshals will hold the 2nd Annual Let Freedom Roar Run and Rally with a motorcycle and Jeep parade around noon, benefitting Youth Reach Gulf Coast. The Marshal group will stage in the Event Center parking lot and in the marina parking lot and lawn. 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 with proceeds benefitting Youth- Reach Gulf Coast. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-let-freedom-roar-run-and-rally-tickets-372528983217. Motorcycles and jeeps are welcome. Parade Route: Canal Road East from The Wharf, South on 161, East on Beach Blvd, Over Alabama Point Bridge, return to The Wharf. 

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 the Event Center. It will include a parade at 1 p.m., a Poker Walk, Show 'N' Shine, and a Ducking Contest. Find more information on the Island Time Jeepers Facebook page.

The Friday and Saturday entertainment lineup 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 
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Dew Pendleton 
• 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Christina Christian 
• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. - The Krickets 

Saturday, October 1st

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - David Chastang
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Al and Cathy
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Charlie Argo
• 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Johnny Hayes

Find all the details at www.orangebeachfreedomfest.com. 

 
MAKO FOOTBALL ON THE ROAD TONIGHT

Following the big 31-14 upset win over Jackson last Friday, the Orange Beach Mako Football Team heads to Satsuma today for a 7 p.m. clash on the gridiron. If you're able to head over and show your support, get your tickets on GoFan at https://gofan.co/app/events/640579?schoolId=AL12311. Go Makos!   

Mako accolades: Orange Beach earns Lagniappe Team of the Week honor.

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VARSITY VOLLEYBALL - LABOR DAY CLASSIC CHAMPS

Congratulations to the Orange Beach High School Varsity Volleyball Team for winning the Labor Day Classic tournament last week at the Foley Event Center. Go Makos!


 

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VARSITY CHEERLEADERS RECOGNIZED

The Orange Beach High School Varsity Cheerleaders were recognized during the City Council meeting on Tuesday for earning All-American and Pin It Forward awards! We are very proud of you! Go Makos!


 

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ORANGE BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL



ISURUS Graphics is back in business! Thank you to Mr. McCrady and his Graphics lab students for adding some motivational quotes to the Middle School office.

 

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ORANGE BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Kindergarten Mako spirit...


 

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Makos Academics, Arts & Athletics

It's that time of year again, Mako Nation! Support Orange Beach schools, get your sports and arts season passes, and your business sign at the Sportsplex! Join at www.obmaaac.org.


 

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: 2022 Freedom Fest MAAAC Beer Tent Volunteers are needed. 

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Orange Beach City Board of Education 

Upcoming scheduled meetings and/or work sessions:

 

• Tuesday, September 13, 2022 - 10 A.M., Special-Called Meeting in Council Chambers
• Thursday, October 13, 2022, 4:30 P.M. Work Session followed by 5:30 P.M. Regular Meeting in Council Chambers
• Thursday, November 10, 2022, 4:30 P.M. Work Session followed by 5:30 P.M. Regular Meeting in Council Chambers

Find more information on the Orange Beach City Schools website at https://www.orangebeachboe.org/.



School Websites

Orange Beach Elementary School: www.obschools.org. 

Orange Beach Middle/High School: www.obcityschools.org. 
 

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Find all of the latest school news on Facebook at: 

• Orange Beach City Schools
• Orange Beach High School
• Orange Beach Middle School
• Orange Beach Elementary School
• Orange Beach Mako Athletics
• Makos Academics, Arts & Athletics Club

Show your pride in Orange Beach’s waterways and beaches by participating in the 35th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 17th, from 8 a.m. until noon. Volunteer check-in locations for clean up in Orange Beach include Boggy Point Boat Launch, Wind and Water Learning Center, and Cotton Bayou Public Beach. Other Orange Beach area cleanup sites include the Flora-Bama and Ono Island. For more information, including zone captains, visit www.alabamacoastalcleanup.com.

Group Fitness Class Showcase set for Sept. 17

A Group Fitness Class Showcase will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 17th at the Orange Beach Recreation Center gym.

The free community event will be an opportunity for the public to meet Fitness Class instructors and enjoy 90 minutes of fun showcasing all of the Fitness Classes offered at the City of Orange Beach Fitness Center.

Classes will include Cardio Dance with Barbie Frances and Lauren McCaghren, Total Body Fit with Marquise Elston, Strength & Cardio H.I.I.T. with Lisa Nix, PIYO and P90X with Jane Sims, Zumba with Michelle Murphy and YOGA and Balance, Core & Flex with Carmen Watkins.

Participants will need to bring a towel, mat and a non-perishable item to donate to the Christian Service Center.