Carnival rides, music and more at Everglades Seafood Festival
The Florida Stone Crabbers Association (FLSCA) will kick off its 53rd annual Everglades Seafood Festival on Feb. 17 outside Everglades City Hall, including an opening ceremony and a fireworks display.
The festival will continue through the weekend, wrapping up at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19.
Attendees enjoy live music, creative works from local artists, delicious seafood, cold beverages and carnival rides.
Headlining this year’s festival will be the Marshall Tucker Band. They will perform Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6:45 p.m.
The seafood festival is an annual charity event benefiting the Everglades City community. This year, the festival’s success is key, as many residents are still getting back on their feet after Hurricane Ian. “Homes and businesses were flooded for the second time in five years–first by Hurricane Irma, then Hurricane Ian,” said festival coordinator Holly Dudley. “Families were displaced, and businesses worked hard to reopen, but we are bouncing back quickly. Funds from our 2023 festival will help the victims and commercial fishermen rebuild.”
Friday night admission is free for all ages. Saturday and Sunday admission is a $5 minimum donation for adults. Children and residents of Everglades City, Chokoloskee and Copeland can receive free admission on all days. Beverage and carnival ride tickets will be cash only, and there will be ATMs on site.
Everglades Seafood Festival hours are Friday 4:30 – 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday’s music includes Lost Rodeo, Radio Road, Charlie Pace, Lee Brovitz and Winters Brothers. Saturday’s lineup has Gator Nate, Joe Prestige, Florida Straights, Sam Lowe, Rock Republic, Charlie Pace and Roxx Revolt. Sunday’s music schedule includes Jordan Guess, Gator Nate, Wes Shipp, Whey Jennings and Ward Davis.
For more than 50 years the Everglades Seafood Festival has been essential in generating income to improve its community and help its residents.
For more information about the 2023 Everglades Seafood Festival, visit www.EvergladesSeafoodFestival-2023.com