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 Script error: No such module "convert". 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]
See also
References
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- ↑ a b c d e f g h Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Florida, October Food Festivals, Wine and Beer Events". www.foodreference.com. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
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External links
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