FEBRUARY
Mardi Gras
Multiple parades and events!
Mobile...432-3324, mobilemardigras.com
Daphne...daphneal.com
Fairhope...cofairhope.com
Chili Cook-Off
This event occurs in February or March where nearly 90 teams battle for bragging rights. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Beinville Square, Downtown Mobile
334-9856 cancer.org
Chili Cook-Off at Oak Hollow Farm
It's the 10th Anniversary of this popular chili cook-off to benefit Meals on Wheels, Food Pantries and a host of other programs administered by the Ecumenical Ministries' social service agency. Festivities take place 11:30 am - 2:00 pm.
Call 928-3430 for details
regarding sponsorship and team participation.
 MARCH
BBQ Championship & Hog Wild Festival
Teams from across the Gulf Coast compete! Proceeds benefit United Cerebral Palsy and the festival also features live music, activities for kids, cooking demonstrations and more. Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds, 479-4900, bbqmobile.net
St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
Watch for events in your area and/or consult these area agencies for details: mobile.org, eschamber.com or gulfshores.com
Arts & Crafts Festival of Fairhope
More than 200 exhibitors from across the nation display their works in Downtown Fairhope, 928-6387, eschamber.com
 Festival of Flowers
The premier flower event of the greater Gulf Coast includes a floral design showcase, horticulture exhibits and more. Providence Hospital campus, (877) 777-0529, festivalofflowers.com
Plantasia Plant Sale!
Watch for this event in March or April and October. Thousands of plants selected for the Gulf Coast region. Mobile Botanical Gardens, 342-0555, mobilebotanicalgardens.org
Historic Mobile Homes Tour!
Visit some of Mobile's finest architectural gems in select historic districts.
432-6161, historicmobile.org
Azalia Trail Run!
Join 10,000 other participants in one of the nation's premier 10k road races. Starting line - Downtown Mobile. 473-7223, pcpacers.org
APRIL
Shrimp Cook-Off
Sponsored by Volunteer Mobile 433-4456
volunteermobile.org
 Arts Alive
Interactive event featuring pottery, dance, fashion show, live music and theater. Downtown Mobile 694-0457
artsalivemobile.com
Annual Interstate Mullet Toss
Throw a mullet across the Alabama/Florida line at this weekend-long party. Flora Bama 980-5118
florabama.com May
Blessing of the Fleet 1st weekend in May
Annual blessing of the fleet for a bountiful harvest and safety at sea. Festival includes local seafood, arts & crafts and more and is sponsored by Saint Margaret Catholic Church. Bayou La Batre, 824-2415, fleetblessing.org
Fairhope - Annual Historic Homes Tour
Sunday, May 2, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
This year's tour will feature beautiful historic homes
in the Fruit and Nut district.
Call 929-3944 for more information.
Art in the Park
Artisans and crafters from the tri-state area present their art for show and sale. John B. Foley Park, 943-4381
Gulf Coast Zydeco Music and Crawfish Festival
This festival includes the Flounder Parade and Daphne Community Day. Daphne Civic Center, 626-5300, gulfcoastzydecomusicfestival.com
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JUNE
America's Junior Miss
Fifty of the country's brightest and most talented young women compete for more that $150,000 in cash scholarships. Mobile Civic Center Theater, 438-3621, ajm.org
Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
This 3-day event features hot air baloons, food, fun, live music, arts and crafts, a farmer's market, a children's village and more. Foley Soccer Field, 943-3291, gulfcoastballoonfestival.com
Kids Days in Bienville
Bring the kids for live entertainment, arts & crafts and visitors from local organizations on Thursdays (also scheduled for July). Bienville Square, 470-7730, mainstreetmobile.org
AUGUST
Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival 1st weekend in August Performances by local, regional and internationally renowned jazz artists. Bienville Square, Downtown Mobile, 473-5020, gcehjazzfest.com
Battle of Mobile Bay Commemorations
Fort Morgan - 540-7127 and Fort Gaines - 861-6992
International Beer Festival
Sample microbrews and imports from all over the world in a variety of taverns and restaurants. Free transportation available throughout entertainment district. Downtown Mobile, 208-7443
13-16 Thunder on the Gulf
Powerboat races and a race village where fans can view the boats and meet the drivers. Orange Beach, 980-7223, thunderonthegulf.com
SEPTEMBER
ANNUAL COASTAL CLEANUP
Volunteer to help beautify your community. 621-1216 alabamacoastalcleanup.com
ANNUAL JUBILEE FESTIVAL
Event features a juried art show as well as regional artists and craftsmen. Olde Towne Daphne, 621-8222 eschamber.com
OCTOBER
 Bayfest...Three fun-filled days of music performed by national, regional & local artists. Downtown Mobile, bayfest.comNational Shrimp Festival...Festival includes fine art, arts & crafts, music and, of course, shrimp. Gulf Shores Public Beach, 968-6904, nationalshrimpfestival.com
Bell Micro LPGA ClassicEvent will feature a full field of players. RTG Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove, Mobile, Al http://www.bellmicrolpgaclassic.comParade of Homes...Featuring a variety of styles, locations & amenities in a range of prices. 661-6523, hbamm.com
 Greater Gulf State Fair...Fair food, fun rides & livestock exhibits. Greater Gulf State Fair Grounds, 344-4573, mobilefair.comFounders' Day Concert on the Bluff by the Baldwin Pops...Henry George Park in Fairhope, 5:30pm (rain date 10/20 - same time/place) British Car Festival - Annual...Fairhope Pier, 10:00 am - 3:00pm German Sausage Festival...German sausage & other food booths, music, dancing as well as arts & crafts booths, children's rides & games. Elberta Town Park, 986-5805, elbertafire.com
Alabama Pecan Festival...Music, arts & crafts, talent contest, food vendors & carnival rides. Tillman's Coprner Community Center, alabamapecanfestival.comTheatre 98
NOVEMBER
Greek Fest...at the Greek Orthodox Church Mobile 438-9888
Christmas Jubilee...A holiday shopping market featuring more than 120 local and regional merchants. Greater Gulf State Fairgounds, 471-3348, juniorleaguemobile.org
Annual Peter Anderson Arts, Crafts & Food Festival
Downtown Ocean Springs, MS
mail@oceanspringschamber.com
Mobile International Festival...See the arts and crafts, enjoy the entertainment and taste the flavors from countries all over the world. Mobile Civic Center, 470-7730, mobileinternationalfestival.org
DECEMBER
Through New Year's Eve...Bellingrath Magic Christmas in Lights...Stroll throughout the 65-acre estate to enjoy over 3 million sparkling lights! 973-2217, bellingrath.orgFirst Weekend in December...Historic Homes Celebrations...Step back in time for the holidays at the annual events at Oakleigh Historic Complex, Richards DAR House and the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion.
The Nutcracker...Attend this classic performance by the Mobile Ballet. Mobile Civic Center Theater, 342-2241, mobileballet.org
JANUARY
Polar Bear Dip
Take a refreshing dip in the Gulf of Mexico with other warm-blooded individuals! Flora-Bama, 980-5118, florbama.com
GMAC Bowl...annual college bowl game
Ladd-Peebles Stadium, 635-0011, gmacbowl.com
First Light Marathon
Annual benefit for L'Arche Mobile featuring marathon, half marathon and relay. Starts Downtown Mobile. 438-2094, firstlightmarathon.com
Under Armour Senior Bowl
Football's premier pre-draft event! This game features the best college seniors coached by the staff of two NFL teams. Ladd-Peebles Stadium, 432-4109, seniorbowl.com
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Closing or Settlement >Moving Day
Here are some tips for coordinating a move that depends on careful timing. Say the closing on the sale of your home is Friday morning at 11:00, and that afternoon at 3:00 you are to complete the transaction on the house you are buying. Your sellers are completing the purchase of their new house on Monday. As sellers, each of you is obligated to leave your house vacant and clean at the time of the closing. You will each take possession of the home you are buying after the closing.
If you are faced with a game of musical moving vans, you may want to negotiate with your buyers or sellers to remain in your old house for a few extra days or move your belongings into the new home a little early. You should draw up a written agreement which details your arrangement, such as the amount of rent, the move-in or move-out date, and any agreements regarding utilities, insurance, or a damage escrow. If you need to make special arrangements for your move, let your real estate agent know and work out the details as early as possible in advance of the closing.
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| Q |
In what real estate market are more than 90 percent of home sales cash transactions?
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| A |
Palm Beach, home to princes, politicians, and CEOs, has homes from 2,000 sq.ft. condos to 56,000 sq.ft. estates. |
 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
