Florida Seafood Festival

The Florida Seafood Festival is an annual two-day public event held in Apalachicola, Florida on the first weekend of November.[1] The event is held in Battery Park, and around 25,000 people attend the festival every year.[2][3] It is the oldest seafood festival in the state.[4]

History

In 1963, eight members of the Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce gathered to figure out a way to draw more visitors to the town.[4] The idea of a seafood event was brought up, drawing inspiration from a seafood festival, "Harbor Days" which had been held in Apalachichola in 1915.[4] The Florida Seafood Festival was established in 1964.[5]

The 2010 Florida Seafood Festival Oyster Shucking Champion Mike Martin won the 2010 National Oyster Shucking Championship.[4] In 2012 an estimated 30,000 people attended the event.[4] The festival celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013.[4]

There was no Florida Seafood Festival in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] The event returned in 2021.[2]

In 2022, Hurricane Ian caused the carnival ride provider to cancel.[7]

Description

Each year the festival features a parade (which has been held on the same route since its 1964 inception),[4] carnival, blue crab races, oyster eating and shucking contests.[1][8] The festival also offers a 5 kilometres (3.107 mi) road race, a country music concert, arts and craft booths, and plenty of fresh local seafood.[8][9] The local seafood is prepared by local non-profit groups.

On the Friday night of the festival, the King Restyo Ball is held to crown the king and queen of the festival.[4]

Awards

In 2016, the festival was named as one of "America's 15 Best Small-Town Festivals" by Fodor's Travel Guide.[10] That same year, it was named one of "8 Itinerary-Inspiring Seafood Festivals" by Leisure Group Travel.[11]

See also

References
  1. Nyman, Daniel (4 November 2022). "59th Annual Florida Seafood Festival". WJHG. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  2. Riley, Emma (2021-11-05). "Florida Seafood Festival returns to Apalachicola". mypanhandle.com. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  3. "JUNE". Orlando Sentinel. 24 May 1986. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  4. "Florida Seafood Festival Celebrates Golden Anniversary in Apalachicola". sowal.com. 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  5. "Florida, October Food Festivals, Wine and Beer Events". www.foodreference.com. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  6. McClintock, Mackenzie (2020-09-08). "Florida Seafood Festival postpones until 2021". WKRN News 2. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  7. Adlerstein, David (9 November 2022). "The show went on: Seafood festival overcomes challenges". Apalachicola The Times. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  8. Adlerstein, David (5 November 2022). "Friday at the Florida Seafood Festival". Apalachicola The Times. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  9. "Florida Seafood Festival – Apalachicola Florida – Florida's Oldest Maritime Event!". www.floridaseafoodfestival.com. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  10. Bruce, Annie (2016-04-05). "America's 15 Best Small-Town Festivals". Fodors Travel Guide. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  11. "8 Itinerary-Inspiring Seafood Festivals". Leisure Group Travel. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2023-01-19.


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