October 14, 2012 - Orange Beach, Ala. ­(OBA) — The winter season is just around the corner and for the Alabama Gulf Coast that means a normally slower pace as the beach tourism comes to a standstill.

Starting with the 2012 Christmas holidays, plans are gaining momentum to enhance the area's holiday decorations to begin attracting visitors and guests seeking to enjoy a unique experience. Recently, the City of Orange Beach City Council approved to spend more than $60,000 for Phase One of new lights including 200 lighted pole-mount decorations.

Stars, Christmas trees, snowflakes and poinsettias will soon shine brightly along the major arteries of Highway 161 and both directions on Highway 182 along the beach as Orange Beach invests in this critical component that welcomes winter guests.

“It has been more than 10 years since the city bought new Christmas lights for our roadways and this investment will set us apart and build a brand over time that we hope shows a great return with increased visitors during our slowest time of year,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “All of us who live here year round will get to enjoy these improvements while knowing we are working toward a bigger goal of building on our shoulder season.”

A number of entities are working together this year to create “Coastal Christmas” which is a regional theme with several goals; 1. Enhance our overall lighting on public and private properties, 2. Create new and exciting events and activities during the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, 3. Target individuals, families and groups looking for a Christmas destination to experience, 4. Broaden our economy with shoulder season efforts.

The chamber, CVB and the cities in south Baldwin County are behind this effort and hope to make impacts during the next several years. “This year we are focusing on our light poles along the major highways and will continue to build upon our lighting at city facilities,” Kennon said. “We are asking businesses, condominium associations and private residents to step up their lighting to create an overall effect that people will just have to see for themselves.

“As we all know, events like the Nautical Night of Lights Boat Parade, Christmas Parades and more are great events to build on. We want to grow the overall season with good wholesome fun. This is an investment and we expect to see positive returns.”

Join with us and do what you can if you own a local business with a storefront or just simply want to volunteer at one the local events. We want to build Orange Beach into “ChristmasTown” and everyone can play a part. To find out more call Orange Beach City Hall at 251-981-6979 or contact the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce at 251-968-6904.