Unusual events planned for coming weekend

I'm sure the first thing anyone thinks of when heading for the Alabama Gulf Coast is a jousting match, right? No? Well then surely it's an authentic German sausage, hmmm? No again, huh?
This coming weekend, anyone headed for the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area needs to make plans for some unusual entertainment.
The 25th Annual Renaissance Festival "GATALOP 25" by the Barony of the Osprey, the Mobile branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism, is Thursday through Sunday. During the event, Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island is transformed into a medieval "Meridian Fortress by the Sea."

There will be vendors, artisans, battles and lots of pagentry. For details, visit www.baronyofosprey.org/Gatalop.htm.
The Elberta Volunteer Fire Department offers its semi-annual Original German Sausage Festival from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and the event takes place in the town park.
According to its Web site, www.elbertafire.com, festival-goers usually purchase SEVEN THOUSAND pounds of sausage during the event -- and that is usually sold at least two hours before the festival ends. In addition to German sausage and sauerkraut, visitors also can try "German-style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans & rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn and peanuts. There will be baked goods as well as arts & crafts for sale at the festival. The Bellview Stumpfiddle Band will perform with the North End Stompers, and cloggers, carnival rides and polka, country and German music will also be provided for entertainment."
With a bit of careful planning, visitors to the area can be stuffed like a sausage before knight-fall!