This Week in Portcity251.com

8th Annual King Cake‑Off

📅 When: Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM

📍 Where: Mobile Convention Center, 1 S Water St, Mobile, AL 36602

ℹ️ What: Sweet competition among local bakeries to crown the best king cake and celebrate community spirit.

Illuminating the Universe (Gala Opening)

📅 When: Friday, January 23, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📍 Where: Mobile Arts Council (venue of gala opening), Mobile, AL

ℹ️ What: Immersive opening gala for "Galileo: The Science of Antiquity."

Black Jacket Symphony Presents Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’

📅 When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 at evening (exact time TBD)

📍 Where: Mobile, AL

ℹ️ What: Live symphonic recreation of Pink Floyd’s iconic album “The Wall.”

History on Tap: The 14th Colony by Author Mike Bunn

📅 When: Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM

📍 Where: Iron Hand Brewing, Mobile, AL

ℹ️ What: Author Mike Bunn presents his book "The 14th Colony" in an informal history-talk setting.

2026 Panini Senior Bowl

📅 When: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 1:30 PM

📍 Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL

ℹ️ What: College football all‑star game featuring NFL draft prospects, televised on NFL Network.

Austal USA names new VP for business development and external affairs

📍 Location: Austal USA, Mobile

Austal USA announced Dan Brintzinghoffer as its new vice president of business development and external affairs.

Alabama Aquarium records second-highest attendance in history

📍 Location: Alabama Aquarium, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Mobile

The Alabama Aquarium saw over 111,000 visitors in 2025, marking its second-highest attendance ever.

Deerfish hard seltzer, BoHayden’s closes

📍 Location: Downtown Mobile

The column reports the closure of Deerfish hard seltzer and BoHayden’s in Downtown Mobile.

Pirate’s Bar & Grill to relocate from Isle Dauphine clubhouse

📍 Location: Dauphin Island

Pirate’s Bar & Grill announced it will be leaving its Isle Dauphine clubhouse location to find a new home.

New Aldi grocery store opens on Government Street

📍 Location: Government Street, Mobile

A newly converted Aldi store opened at the former Winn‑Dixie on Government Street offering fresh produce, curbside pickup, and delivery.

State of the City and County Address Held Jan. 22

The Mobile Chamber hosted the 2026 State of the City and County meeting on January 22 at Crown Hall, where city and county leaders provided updates on the local economy and community priorities.

Groundbreaking for New Affordable Housing Development

On January 16, the City of Mobile announced it will break ground on a new affordable housing development, part of continued efforts to expand housing access in the city.

Record $17 Million Planned for Road Resurfacing in 2026

The city plans to invest a record $17 million in road resurfacing and related infrastructure projects in 2026, funded by the Capital Improvement Program sales tax revenue.

Major Development Projects Targeted for Completion in 2026

Several large-scale projects—including the new Mobile International Airport terminal, Africatown Welcome Center, Cooper Riverside Park renovations, and community centers—are expected to be completed in 2026.

Renderings Released for $15 Million Mobile County Sportsplex Stadium

Mobile County commissioners shared renderings for a new 2,000‑seat Champion Soccer Stadium at the Mobile County Sportsplex, advancing plans for a major community sports facility.

UMS‑Wright Prep vs. Elberta Boys Basketball

🏆 Result: 79‑66 win

UMS‑Wright Prep Varsity Boys Basketball defeated Elberta High School on January 23, 2026.

UMS‑Wright Prep vs. St. Paul’s Episcopal Boys Basketball

🏆 Result: 50‑49 win

On January 24, 2026, UMS‑Wright Prep held off St. Paul’s Episcopal for a one‑point victory.

Athens High School wins Class 6A Wrestling Duals Title

🏆 Result: 45‑24 over Gulf Shores

Athens High School captured the AHSAA Class 6A duals championship, defeating previously undefeated Gulf Shores.

Arab High School wins Class 5A Wrestling Duals Title

🏆 Result: 41‑33 over Hayden

Arab High School claimed the AHSAA Class 5A duals title with a hard‑fought win over Hayden.

Panini Senior Bowl upcoming in Mobile

The Panini Senior Bowl, a premier college football all‑star game featuring NFL draft prospects, will be held in Mobile on January 31, 2026.