Florida SEAFOOD FEST

🦀 Florida Seafood Festival – Apalachicola (2016)

The Florida Seafood Festival (hosted in historic Apalachicola) celebrated its 53rd annual event from November 3 to November 6, 2016, with the main festival open on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 Facebook+8floridaseafoodfestival.com+8Facebook+8.

Highlights from the 2016 festival:

• Carnival extended to four days, with fun on Thursday and Sunday as well floridaseafoodfestival.com.

• A robust lineup of events included:

  • Oyster eating and shucking contests, blue crab races, parade, Redfish Run 5K, Blessing of the Fleet, carnival rides, and maritime exhibits Facebook+8YouTube+8weekendbroward.com+8Wikipedia+3floridaseafoodfestival.com+3floridaseafoodfestival.com+3.

• The festival featured a headline concert by country star Rodney Atkins on Saturday night, part of the new Friday-night Christian music inclusion floridaseafoodfestival.com+1.

About the Festival:

This two-day public event, typically held the first weekend of November in Battery Park, Apalachicola, draws around 25,000 people annually and is recognized as Florida’s oldest seafood festival. It includes family-friendly events, live music, a 5K run, and plenty of fresh seafood Southern Living+4Wikipedia+4floridaseafoodfestival.com+4.

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🌴 Other Noteworthy Seafood Festivals in Florida (circa 2016)

• South Beach Seafood Festival (Miami)
  Held in October 2016 at Lummus Park, this high-energy event featured local favorites like Joe’s Stone Crab and included live music, chef showcases, and gallery-like food presentations floridaseafoodfestival.com+8Miami New Times+8Wikipedia+8.

• Coconut Grove Seafood Festival (Miami)
  A waterfront celebration in October 2016 offering a Caribbean vibe with tropical music, artisan cooking contests (ceviche, paella, fish tacos, sushi), plus educational programs focused on marine conservation soundbitemagazine.net.

• Other regional seafood festivals in 2016:

  • Coconut Grove Seafood Festival, as mentioned above.

  • Davie Seafood Festival, featuring 90+ vendors, a Polynesian show, a Junkanoo-style parade, a kids’ zone, and pirate-themed fun weekendbroward.com.

  • The Port Canaveral Seafood & Music Festival in early 2016 offered food and live music (though details are more limited) floridaseafoodfestival.com+12YouTube+12weekendbroward.com+12.

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