GULF SHORES, Ala. —Organizers of the National Shrimp Festival say the financial loss from this year’s cancellation cannot be calculated, as Hurricane Isaias also dealt a broader blow to Gulf Shores tourism.
The 53rd annual festival was scheduled for Thursday through Sunday last week. Organizers called off the event on Wednesday as the storm closed in.
“Well, it’s impossible to put a dollar figure on how much of the financial loss can be. It just depends on them to determine how much they will spend on merchandise and t-shirts and beer and concessions or whatnot,” said Steve Jones, vice president of special events.
Last minute cancellation
The festival usually draws more than 325,000 visitors over four days. The event was set to open one day before it was canceled, and money had already been spent on preparations…