When one Southern State just ain’t enough then it’s time to Wham Bam Flora-Bama.
Who knew… about this Country beach bar institution in Perdido Bay, across two borders?
Well, not this Americanophile until we came together at the annual Meet The Media travel fair in Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin.
Perdido Bay may not have the international renown of South Beach in Miami.
But for Country fans and Good Ole Boys and Gals it is their go-to Southern Beach.
As it’s the closest sand if you’re a Southerner.
Bordering on the fun
A favourite spot for Country biggies like Kenny Chesney the Flora-Bama Lounge has been packing them in for well on 40 years.
Since the Tampary family seized on the new opportunity of the deal struck between Florida and Alabama in 1962.
When the Sunshine State gave the Yellowhammer State two miles of beach front land.
In return for the construction of the Perdido Pass Bridge.
Soon partygoers were flocking to the Tampary bar and package store they set up in 1964.
When Escambia County, Florida was ‘wet’ and across the line Baldwin County, Alabama, was ‘dry.’
Gone fishing
Times have moved on and the only bar across state lines is the one that serves liquor.
Flora-Bama, of course, revels in its USP of being one bar in two states.
And its Interstate Mullet Toss is legendary in these parts.
Or the Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party to give it its official name.
So if you’re free the last full weekend in April, are in the Florida Panhandle and have a mullet to hand.
Then step up to throw it from the 10-foot circle in Florida 200ft across the state line into Alabama.
And if you don’t then fear not as the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America is bursting with them.
Best bang for your bucks
Now you’ll not get better bang for your 20 bucks than in this competition.
Which will also entitle you to a commemorative t-shirt.
And also give you the satisfaction of knowing you have helped out the local communities with drug and alcohol addictions.
Our fun Floridian and awesome Alabamans also encourage anyone favouring a mullet hairstyle.
To shake their locks with pride.
Aer of excitement
Now with Pensecola Airport well served domestically in the US then party travellers have little excuse.
Not to take in Wham Bam Flora-Bama.
And, of course, if you’re coming through Europe that should be with Aer Lingus in Ireland with pre-clearance.