Bored with NASCAR? We have an even bigger thrill for you! Thunder on the Gulf roars into town again October 6-9 and it will be bigger and better than ever! The pristine beaches of Orange Beach, Alabama will once again host the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) World Championships. The “Thunder” of Thunder on the Gulf will take place for four days, with powerboats qualifying on the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico on Thursday and Saturday, and the championship racing on Friday and Sunday on the 6.8 mile liquid race course! The OPA World Champions will be crowned Sunday evening at the Awards Ceremony.

Saturday evening at 6 pm there will be a Boat Parade from Race Village at the State Park Pavilion to Main Street at the Wharf. The parade will wind around the Wharf and end in front of the new Orange Beach Event Center where you can take pictures of the boats and get autographs with the race teams. Following the boat parade there will be a Gala in the Event Center featuring entertainment by the Tip Tops, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Race Village will be at the State Park Pavilion and will be jam-packed with excitement! It will be open to the public daily from 10 am – 8 pm. This family friendly event will allow you to watch monster race boats and their teams, let the kids play at the Kids Pavilion, purchase official race merchandise and check out the vendors. On Saturday there will be live entertainment at Race Village from Noon until 4 pm. Shuttles will be running from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to all racing venues.

VIP Passes allow access to Race Village and a special viewing area from the Hospitality tent located at the Island House Hotel where you can enjoy food and beverages Friday and Sunday from Noon until 4pm. The VIP Pass provides exclusive access to a special viewing area at Cobalt the Restaurant. All four days VIP fans can watch the cranes “SPLASH” the race boats in the Wet Pits at Caribe Resort from this special viewing area. Passes also include invitations to the Pre-Parties to be held at Live Bait, the Flora Bama, and Happy Harbor on the Line, and free entrance to the Gala at the Orange Beach Event Center on Saturday, October 8th.

For accommodations during Thunder on the Gulf, check out these sponsored deals.