Thunder on the Gulf isn’t just about high-speed boats – it also features a vibrant arts-and-crafts festival celebrating coastal creativity. Each year in late summer or early fall, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama host this multi-day event. In addition to offshore powerboat races, the festival includes live music, food vendors, and a big Arts & Crafts marketplace. There, visitors can slow down and “get inspired” by hands-on craft projects that reflect the region’s Gulf Coast culture. In other words, the “fun craft” side of Fun Craft thunderonthegulf invites families and art lovers to make shell art, paint sea scenes, and take home handmade souvenirs as part of the festival experience.

What Is thunderonthegulf?

Thunder on the Gulf began as an offshore powerboat racing event, but it has grown into a four-day festival that blends boat races with beachside fun. Held around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, it draws thousands of people each year (over 25,000, by some accounts) for a weekend of action and entertainment. Besides high-octane races, the event features food trucks, live music stages, and an arts & crafts show. This fair of local artisans is set up on or near the water, so you can shop for coastal-themed artwork while feeling the Gulf breeze. Many booths sell handmade jewelry, paintings of sunsets or boats, driftwood home décor, pottery and more – each item showing a bit of Gulf Coast style.

The Fun Craft Experience

Imagine taking a break from the roar of boat engines to join a beachside craft party. That’s exactly what the fun crafts area is like. Local artists and hobbyists set up tents and stations where anyone (from kids to grandparents) can try making art. For example, there are painting workshops where you can create your own sea-themed picture, and booths filled with shells, beads and twine for jewelry-making. There are even tables where children paint seashells or assemble tiny sailboat models from driftwood. Every project is a tribute to the Gulf Coast – think mermaid tails, sea glass ornaments, rope-and-shell decorations, and more. Many of these crafts use natural beach finds (like shells or driftwood), so the final piece is truly a keepsake of the coast.

People love this artsy side of the event for good reasons: it’s hands-on and family-friendly, and the crafts reflect local coastal culture. Instead of just watching, you get to do the art. When races slow down, families gather under tents to glue, paint and create together. Kids can get their faces painted like fish or decorate sand dollars, while parents and teens try tie-dye shirts or string shell necklaces. It’s a relaxing alternative to the big race crowds. Plus, you walk away with something you made (not just a store-bought souvenir). In short, the craft village brings creativity and calm to the thunder of the boats.

• Seashell & Sand Art: Decorate real seashells, sand dollars or wood slices with paint, glue and glitter. For example, kids often make sun catchers or wind chimes from beach treasures.

• Driftwood Creations: Turn found driftwood into art or décor. You might paint a wooden sign with a beach message, assemble a frame or mobile, or build small “boats” from sticks and cloth.

• Beach Jewelry: Use collected sea glass, beads and string to make necklaces, bracelets or keychains. Booths often have bowls of tiny starfish and shells to craft with.

• Painting & Tie-Dye: Paint Gulf scenes like waves or lighthouses on canvas or paper. There are tie-dye stations where you can dye T-shirts or tote bags in bright ocean colors.

• Family Art Projects: Join community art, like adding to a giant beach collage or competing in a painting contest. Face painting and sand-art activities keep little ones busy.

A Celebration of Coastal Culture

All of the crafts celebrate coastal culture and community. Many of the artworks on display (and to make) are inspired by Gulf life – think marsh sunsets, pelicans, sailing boats, seashell patterns and vibrant Cajun colors. Local artists often participate, so you hear stories about life at the beach. In recent years, the festival even emphasizes eco-friendly art: artists reuse driftwood and recycled glass, and promote sustainable materials in their projects. By showcasing this regional talent and flavor, the event honors what makes the Gulf Coast special. It becomes more than a shopping fair; it feels like a living art tradition of the community.

Why Families Love It

This craft festival is perfect for families. Parents can enjoy a break or shop while kids are supervised at art tables. The craft stations are set up for all ages – preschoolers paint shells with big brushes, tweens string beads, and teens might try wood-burning art. Even toddlers can get messy with sand painting. Face painting is always popular too, turning little ones into fish or pirates. Many booths encourage parents to join in, so everyone can make something together. Families leave with colorful keepsakes – a hand-painted driftwood sign or a seashell ornament – that remind them of their beach trip. This interactive fun is a nice balance to the action on the water.

It’s also a boon for local artists. Each year over 200 craftspeople come to sell handmade pottery, paintings, jewelry and woodwork. They love it because meeting buyers face-to-face and doing live demos gives them great exposure. Many report that showing their driftwood sculptures or coastal watercolor paintings at Thunder on the Gulf brings new fans and sales. In this way, the craft fair strengthens the local creative economy and connects visitors with real makers.

Tips for Your Visit

To make the most of the fun craft experience:

• Arrive Early. Popular workshops (like painting or jewelry making) can fill up fast, especially on race days. Getting there early gives you the best pick of activities and materials.

• Bring Cash (and Cards). Not every vendor can run a card reader, and some of the craft games or premium kits cost a few dollars. Having cash on hand makes it easy to participate.

• Dress for Creativity. Wear comfy clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint, glue or glitter on. A hat and sunscreen are smart too – many craft stations are outdoors or under tents.

• Check the Schedule. Some specialty classes (like a group pottery session or face-painting contest) require signing up or have limited spots. Follow the Thunder on the Gulf event page or social media to see what’s happening and when.

• Have Fun and Explore. Let everyone pick a craft they like. Even if an art project turns out a bit messy or wonky, that’s part of the fun. The goal is to be creative and enjoy the Gulf Coast spirit.

Dive Into Coastal Creativity

In the end, Thunder on the Gulf is where adrenaline meets artistry. The races give you thrills, and the craft village feeds your imagination. You might come for the powerboats, but you’ll leave with stories about paintbrushes, seashells, and new friends. After all, this festival’s “heart beats just as strongly in the laughter of kids painting seashells and the careful hands of an artist shaping driftwood”. Whether you’re a race fan or not, be sure to dive into the creative, coastal culture of Fun Craft thunderonthegulf – it’s one of the most engaging family-friendly crafts events on Alabama’s Gulf Coast