Happy Monday, Fairhope! Mardi Gras festivities are in full swing, and this week promises a mix of excitement and unpredictable weather.

🚢 SS United States Arrives in Mobile – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Sight!

Maritime history will be made Monday morning as the legendary SS United States enters Mobile Bay. The ship is expected to arrive at Modern American Recycling Services (M.A.R.S.) around noon, but arrival times may fluctuate. Read below for more details about viewing from Fairhope.

Your Monday Funny:
I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes… she gave me a hug. 🤦‍♂️😂

⛈ Severe Weather Threat for Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras celebrations could face a stormy finale Tuesday night, with damaging winds and possible tornadoes in the forecast. Baldwin and Mobile counties are under a Level 2 severe weather risk, meaning scattered storms could impact parades and outdoor events. The worst weather is expected between 6 PM Tuesday and 3 AM Wednesday. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive alerts, especially if you’ll be out celebrating! Read below for more details.

☕ Stay Connected & Win!

Don’t miss out—subscribe at FairhopeNow.com for updates and a chance to win a $25 Kind Café gift card! Just email [email protected] to let us know you signed up, and we’ll add you to the raffle. Wishing you a fantastic start to the week—stay safe and enjoy the Mardi Gras magic!

– Anne Dorman & John Oldshue

Today’s Fairhope Now Newsletter

1. FAIRHOPE - Large Ship SS United States Visible This Morning

2. Strong to Severe Storms Possible in Fairhope Tuesday Night

3. City of Fairhope Office - Holiday Schedule

4. Help Move Tolstoy Park

5. Fairhope Arts & Crafts in 2 Weeks

6. Fairhope Adoptable Pets: Meet Daisy

7. Quick News from Around Fairhope

FAIRHOPE - Large Ship SS United States Visible This Morning

Residents along the Eastern Shore will have a rare opportunity to witness a piece of maritime history as the SS United States makes its way into Mobile Bay on Monday morning. If the expected timeline occurs then the ship should be visible from Fairhope in the 8am-10am time frame.The storied ocean liner, once the pride of American shipbuilding, is expected to begin her journey into the bay around 6 a.m., with an estimated arrival at Modern American Recycling Services (M.A.R.S.) in downtown Mobile by noon. However, arrival times remain subject to change due to navigational and environmental factors.

The SS United States, assisted by tugboats, will proceed directly up the Mobile River upon reaching the Mobile Sea Buoy. She will then enter the turning basin, where she will be rotated 180 degrees before being carefully backed stern-first to her final docking location at 601 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36603.

Viewing and Safety Information

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary vessel, it’s important to note that:

If the expected timeline occurs then the ship should be visible from Fairhope in the 8am-10am time frame.

• The SS United States will not pass by the USS Alabama, so prime viewing spots will be elsewhere along the Mobile River.

• Organizers are unable to provide specific recommendations for public viewing areas, but tools like Google Maps may help pinpoint potential locations.

• The U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement will be actively patrolling the area to enforce safety zones.

For real-time tracking, maritime enthusiasts can monitor her progress using the official Garmin tracker: https://share.garmin.com/SSUNITEDSTATES.

As anticipation builds, coastal communities from Fairhope to Mobile are eager to witness the final voyage of this American icon, a vessel that once symbolized the nation’s technological prowess and transatlantic prestige. Whether this arrival marks a hopeful new chapter or the ship’s twilight, the SS United States remains a sight to behold.

About the SS United States

Launched in 1952, the SS United States remains the fastest ocean liner ever built, holding the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing. Though retired from service decades ago, she continues to capture the imagination of ship enthusiasts and historians alike.

Strong to Severe Storms Possible in Fairhope Tuesday Night

Meteorologist Spinks Megginson reports that Fairhope residents should prepare for the possibility of gusty winds on Fat Tuesday and severe weather on Tuesday night. The National Weather Service has placed South Alabama and Northwest Florida under a Level 2 (out of 5) risk for severe weather, meaning scattered storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes are possible. While not everyone will experience severe weather, storms could disrupt evening parades and celebrations across Mobile and Baldwin counties. In addition to the storm threat, strong non-thunderstorm wind gusts of 20-30 mph are expected throughout the day Tuesday.

The severe weather window is expected between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday, with storms beginning in Mobile and Washington counties before moving eastward into Baldwin and surrounding areas.

City of Fairhope Offices: Closed Tuesday

Another Way to Volunteer in Fairhope

The Tolstoy Park Committee needs volunteers to help with: Sharing the story of Tolstoy Park with others, Handing out flyers/information to friends and groups, Share on your social media and or forward emails, Brainstorming ideas to reach citizens of Fairhope, Helping at info tables at local events - Flexible times & locations - Volunteer when it works for you!

Come to one of our brief “Information/Ideas” Meetings  Fairhope Public Library - Giddens Auditorium March 6^th- 10:30 am or March 7^th – 1:00 pm

OR

Email [email protected] with your name, email, and phone number and we will contact you as soon as possible and send you attached files you can easily use. 

 Information items to download and print and share

THANKS for all you may do to help!

Move Tolstoy Park flyer

Reasons Why Move is Important to Fairhope 

This fundraising campaign is organized by the Tolstoy Park Committee working with the City of Fairhope. All donations will be used by the City of Fairhope to relocate the building.

Sent by Savan Wilson - Tolstoy Park Committee Member

You can also Sign up Here -- [email protected]

Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival

Just TWO WEEKS away! For over 70 years, our flower-lined streets have proudly hosted the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival which takes place every third weekend in March. While it has grown and evolved throughout the years, it remains a familiar family tradition for so many. 

During this three-day event, our population of 25,000 swells to nearly 300,000 as our downtown streets come alive with creativity, showcasing the best in art, food, and entertainment in our blossoming community, full of southern charm.

The Fairhope Arts and Crafts has made a consistent appearance in the top 20 of the Sunshine Artist 200 Best and was ranked number 15 in the latest 200 Best in the Fine Arts and Design.

The 73rd festival theme is "Paint the Town" and we mean that literally. The festival is unveiling something truly unique — a mural that will be created downtown, celebrating the festival and honoring its 70+ year tradition. 

The mural will be located adjacent to the Fairhope Welcome Center on Section Street. Our featured artist Hannah Legg will begin work on the mural in early March, with plans to do some live painting during the festival, allowing visitors to experience the creation process firsthand. Read All About It Here

Fairhope Adoptable Pets: Meet Velma

Introducing Velma, the sophisticated orange, black, and cream torti cat with a brain as sharp as her wit and a charm that's impossible to resist! Named after the brilliant and resourceful character from "Scooby-Doo," Velma brings her own brand of feline detective work to the home. With her striking tortoiseshell coat and thoughtful demeanor, she's always on the case, whether it's uncovering the mystery of the missing sock or solving the puzzle of the perfect napping spot. Velma's keen intellect is matched only by her affectionate nature, making her a cherished companion and the go-to expert for all things cozy and curious

 Learn more about Velma and other adoptable pets by clicking through to The Haven.

Quick News from Around Fairhope

1. Fairhope Weather: Severe Weather Tuesday night

2. Spring Fever Chase is on March 15th

3. Pilates Plants Purpose @ Corner Copia

4. Baldwin Family Village Needed Items

5. Fairhope Middle School Needs Help

6. WABF, Fairhope’s Local Radio Station, Live Streaming Here

7. WABF Recent Local Interviews

Want to stay up to date on even more local events? Check out Let’s Go! Fairhope .

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