By Cheryl Lange

April 6, 2011 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Perdido Key, FL (PKF) - Something fishy at the Flora~Bama is expected to have thousands of tourists, spectators and contestants alike to what has become one of the busiest weekends of the year for the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Perdido Key resort area.

This spring’s celebration will feature local celebrities tossing out the first few fish at Noon, Friday, April 29th. The event consists of individuals on the beach throwing a mullet, one of the more popular and plentiful fish indigenous to the area, from a 10-foot circle in Alabama across the state line into Florida. The mullet, the only fish with a gizzard, is said to possess mystical properties, which, along with the pristine white sands, has attracted fun-loving folks to the area for decades.

A contribution for each fish flung will go to the Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch a charitable, non-profit corporation providing a home-like environment for abused, neglected and misdirected youths and the Boys and Girls Club of Escambia, which serves the needs of children living in disadvantaged circumstances. The local club is part of a nationwide affiliation of autonomous organizations working to help youth of all backgrounds develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders.

The cover charge, starting Thursday evening, will be $10 for those 21 years of age or older and $15 for those under 21 years of age starting on Thursday evening. There will be limited entrance to those under the age of 21 after 6 pm. Membership Cards will be valid for the event and are available for $30 at the Flora-Bama on online at www.florabama.com. These allow FREE admission all year long (except for certain events) for those 21 and older. Get your Membership Card early, since card sales will be limited Mullet Toss Weekend.

There will be a $10.00 charge for parking to be shared with local charities. We will also have shuttles running on both sides of the line. The cost to ride the shuttle is $3.00 per person each way. In Alabama the Shuttle pick up is at the Bruno’s parking lot in Orange Beach. You can also call Yellow Cab at 251-948 TAXI or A-1 Taxi at 251-981-9300. In Florida the shuttle picks up is at the Publix parking lot and the Visitor’s Center on Perdido Key. The shuttle will start at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and run until closing time.

The Flora-Bama Lounge & Package is located on the Gulf of Mexico at the Florida/ Alabama line. For further information call: 850-492-0611 or 251-980-5118.