Here are some of the special events coming up in the Gulf Coast Region you and your family can enjoy:

&uot;Summer Sensations&uot; (now through Aug. 31) and &uot;Everything’s Coming Up Roses&uot; (now through Dec. 31) at Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore. Enjoy more than 75 varieties of roses, plus hibiscus, copper plants, begonias, caladiums, marigolds and more (1-800-347-8420).

&uot;Thunder on the Gulf&uot; at Orange Beach, Aug. 19 through 22. The Gulf Coast Powerboat Association is offering two great racing events this year. Watch from the beach or from the balconies of surrounding condos. Powerboats equipped with up to four engines race at speeds up to 175 mph (866-954-RACE).

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo on Dauphin Island, July 16 through 18, 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Mobile Jaycees, this is the nation’s largest saltwater fishing rodeo (251-471-0025).

Atmore Rotary Club 25th Annual Old Time Fiddlers Contest, July 16, 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Second and third generation fiddlers compete, along with performers on banjo, mandolin,

and dobro. Vocal and string band competitions are also held, with a barbecue cookoff on site (251-368-3305).

n Dauphin Island

&uot;Battle of Mobile Bay&uot; Commemorative Day at Fort Gaines, Aug. 4 through 7 at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. Cannon salute and oral history of the Civil War battle (251-861-6992).

The Taste of the Eastern Shore &uot;Goes to the Tropics&uot; in Daphne at the Daphne Civic Center, Aug. 6. This is considered one of the top-rated food, beverage and entertainment events of the Gulf Coast (251-621-9000).

Seventh Annual Dauphin St. International Beer Festival in the Lower Daphne Historic District Aug. 28 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Sample beers from around the world at participating LoDa taverns and restaurants (www.mainstreetmobile.org).