Top 5 March Events to Watch is presented by Dharma Blue Restaurant, Pensacola. Read more about Dharma Blue at the end of this article.

The beginning of March signals spring is on the horizon and kicks off “festival season.” The Scenic 98 Coastal area has tons of outdoor events coming up this month which will offer a variety of art, shopping, music, food, and entertainment options. Many of these events are free to the public and benefit vital community organizations.

With so much going on, whittling it down to the Top 5 was difficult, and we had to leave off some great festivals, concerts, and other events. Be sure to check out the Tidbits and Best Bets section of the newsletter each week, where we highlight everything going on in the upcoming weekend, so you don’t miss out on anything.

4th Annual Bellingrath’s Beers & Blooms Festival:  March 2

Beers and Blooms Festival, Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Theodore, AL

The Beers and Blooms Festival is an annual event that combines the beauty of Bellingrath Gardens with a selection of craft beers. From noon to 6 pm, guests can stroll through the gardens, enjoy live music, and taste a variety of brews. The festival offers a wide range of craft beers from local and regional breweries, food vendors, live music, garden tours, and other activities. Tickets are still available for purchase. Click Here for more information.

‍Providence Hospital’s 31st Annual Festival of Flowers: March 8 – 10

Festival of Flowers, Cathedral Square, Mobile, AL

The award-winning Festival of Flowers celebrates its 31st year in downtown Mobile’s Cathedral Square, showcasing horticultural displays from the best teams of florists, nurseries, landscapers, designers, and artists in the Mobile Area. They will compete for bragging rights for the Festival of Flowers People's Choice Award. Recognized in 2021 and 2023 as Alabama Magazine’s “Best of Bama Charity Event,” the Festival of Flowers continues the tradition of delighting and educating visitors of all ages. Enjoy live music, outdoor seminars, select vendors, and special events including ArtWalk and a Saturday morning Exotic Car Show.

72nd Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival: March 15 – 17

Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival, Downtown Fairhope, AL

For over 70 years, the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival has grown and evolved while remaining a familiar family tradition for so many.  During this three-day event, the population swells with nearly 300,000 visitors as downtown streets come alive with creativity, showcasing the best in art, food, and entertainment in our blossoming community, full of southern charm. The 72nd Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival celebrates "Fairhope in Bloom" - a tribute to new growth and the honoring of timeless traditions. Public entry is Free.

7th Annual Orange Beach Invasion: March 22 – 24

Orange Beach Invasion, The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL

The Orange Beach Invasion, one of the largest events held in Orange Beach with over 72,000  people attending the sold-out event in 2023, returns to The Wharf for its 7th Year. Hot rods, lowered trucks and more from all over the U.S. and Canada will make their way to Orange Beach for the three-day affair. The event will feature over 40 vendors + food vendors and attendees will also enjoy the shopping, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options available at The Wharf.

On the Horizon: Ballyhoo Festival Rescheduled for April 6 - 7

Ballyhoo Festival, Gulf State Park Lake Shelby Picnic Area, Gulf Shores, AL

This exciting festival event is unique in its focus on fine art, combined with cultural charm, and the fun-loving spirit of residents of Coastal Alabama! Enjoy vendors offering fine art from across the southeast and a variety of local seafood options. Live music will be running all day long both days of the festival and don’t miss the Banjo and Fiddle Competition on Sunday where the top 3 scorers in each age bracket win a cash prize!

‍Honorable Mentions:

American Cancer Society, Chili-Cook Off, Mobile, AL - March 9

Laguna Music Festival, Pensacola, FL - March 1

Pensacola Brains Ballpark Bash, Blue Wahoos Stadium, Pensacola, FL - March 24

Joe Bonamassa, the Saenger Theatre, Pensacola, FL - March 7

Crawfish & Bluegrass Jamboree, Odd Colony Brewery, Pensacola, FL – March 26

Best of the Bay 2024, Daphne Civic Center, Daphne, AL – March 21

Cedar Street Social Crawfish Boil, Mobile, AL - March 14

Katt Williams Dark Matter Tour, Civic Center Arena, Mobile, AL – March 22

23rd Annual Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair & Pirate Festival, Milton, FL – March 2 - 3

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About Dharma Blue: The restaurant turned 28 years old this month. It was an Italian restaurant owned by Richard Scott. Charles Morgan and Chips Kirschenfeld purchased it in 1995 and have operated it since February 13, 1996.

The restaurant is part of a family that operates Harbor Docks, Camille’s, La Paz, and the Local Market in Destin and Chuck’s Fish and Five Bar restaurants scattered around the south. Dharma Blue has been serving fresh seafood from Harbor Docks Seafood Market for many years. The sushi bar is managed by Yoshie Eddings, who has trained sushi chefs, and customers, for 34 years.

People have been curious about the origins of the name “Dharma Blue.” After the property was purchased, but before opening, Morgan read an article in The New Yorker about a film script that Joan Didion was putting together. She had inherited the script from a producer. The film was to be set in the desert in New Mexico and its working title was Dharma Blue. Didion said she had no idea what “Dharma Blue” meant or referred to, but that she loved the way it sounded. Morgan thought it sounded good too.

Dharma Blue is on the classic corner of East Government and Alcaniz, across from Seville Square. The restaurant is full of wonderful folk art, a professional staff, and long-time customers.

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