ORANGE BEACH — A staple of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Flora-Bama celebrated 60 years of good times and good music on Sunday.
Hundreds came out to pay respects and hear from those who made Flora-Bama what it is today.
Ken Buford, of Fernando, Miss., said he has been to Flora-Bama a lot in his day. He was happy to find out the anniversary celebration was taking place while he was in town.
“I just like that it’s open and the music,” said Buford. “It's just on the beach fun.”
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Co-owner Pat McClellan has experienced a transformation since he took part ownership of the location 40 years ago.
“It's pretty amazing, you know, this place down here,” McClellan said. “Oh my goodness, you know, there was nothing out here at all when we first started.”
McClellan said the bar and music joint on the Alabama-Florida line has always offered a little piece of paradise for visitors.
‘I think the most important thing is the legacy you leave,” McClellan said. “People come together and enjoy themselves from all walks of life and it doesn't make any difference where you come from. You kind of bury all differences and have a great time and I think more of that should go around the world.”
Even Mother Nature hasn’t been enough to stop the fun at Flora-Bama.
“Through hurricanes and everything else for years and years, we’ve kept going, and we hope that continues for the next 50 years and for the next generation to come.”
Falan Hudson came to celebrate the 60th anniversary with her girlfriends from Louisiana. Hudson said Flora-Bama is the epitome of a good time.
“We got some good music going, good people, good food and it's a good celebration to celebrate this awesome place that brings a lot of people together,” Hudson said.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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