Destin Seafood Festival
The 28th Annual Destin Seafood Festival is October 6-8, 2006! Just as it did in its first year, 1979, community involvement has made the Destin Seafood Festival the great success that it is. It was named “Top Twenty Events in the Southeast Award” from the Southeastern Tourism Society in October 2004. It also earned “Best Community Event” in Emerald Coast Magazine’s 2005 Best of the Emerald Coast readers’ poll. Furthermore, the Seafood Festival was named “Best of the Best” in Entertainment in Emerald Coast Magazine’s Best of the Emerald Coast Banquet in October 2005.
In 1979, the first festival was a one-day event put on by a small group of local women to benefit the small village’s fishing industry. “The whole town turned out and had fun and helped,” said Fran Beaird, one of the first festival’s organizers. She and about seven other members of the Charter Boat Association Auxiliary organized a festival on the first Saturday of October that year. “Our husbands were in the fishing business, and we wanted to encourage more people to visit the docks, take in the Fishing Rodeo, and become interested in fishing. Everything we did was geared to the fishing industry,” stated Cheney.
The first festival took place on what was then called “Kelly Hill,” where The Lucky Snapper is presently located. The area, donated by Mattie Kelly, had about 50 arts & crafts booths, a few food booths, and some activities for kids. They had a stage where locals provided free entertainment.
The festival was turned over to the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce after the Ladies Auxiliary realized that it was going to outgrow its small group of organizers.
This year, thousands of people will enjoy rides, chow down on great food, shop at more than 100 arts & crafts vendors, and enjoy concerts by a variety of musical groups at the 28th Annual Destin Seafood Festival, again, being held October 6-8.
The 2006 Festival will be held at the Morgan Sports Center, a park-like setting, which is located behind City Hall at 4200 Two Trees Road. Be sure to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on to enjoy the entertainment. Bleachers will also be available. Please notice that no pets or coolers will be allowed.
The Destin Seafood Festival is Destin’s largest family-oriented festival, with provides something for everyone. Here is a list of what you can expect this year:
Food Court
Seafood and other entrees like hot dogs and sausages
Desserts, including funnel cakes
Beer, wine, and soft drinks
Covered table seating is also offered.
Arts and Crafts
Visit more than 100 arts and crafts vendors. T-shirts, caps, and jackets, all available for sale, will depict the festival poster scene. Several booths will display hand-carved and painted fish, both life-like and fantasy. Many artists will have jewelry creations in silver, copper, and gold, as well as semi-precious stones. Photographers and artists will offer paintings and prints with subjects ranging from lighthouses and wildlife to seascapes. Several artists will display pottery works, glass masters will display their amazing art, and other vendors will sell soaps, candles, birdhouses, lamps, and even furniture.
Destin Fishing Museum
See memorabilia of years past including many of the past Seafood Festival Posters.
Tadpole Town
Tadpole Town is sponsored by Kidz on the Coast magazine. Here kids and the young at heart can see kite-making and demonstrations. They can also fish the warm waters with fly-casting lessons, climb a rock wall, and learn and play with other various hands-on activities.
The Entertainment lineup for 2006 is superb! On Friday, Oct 6 you can enjoy Destin Area Cheerleading Exhibition at 4pm, Nashville singer and songwriter Matt Woods at 6pm, and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame member Dave Mason at 8pm.
On Saturday, Oct 7 you will be entertained by Cagen Williams at 12pm, Local favorite Chuck Lawson at 4pm, Louisiana Blue guitarist Tab Benoit at 6pm, and Lengendary band Kansas at 8pm.
On Sunday, Oct. 8 enjoy local favorite Jones & Company at 12pm and The Sal Salaz Project at 2pm.
Admission to the Destin Seafood Festival will be $5 for the entire weekend. The admission can be paid at the gate. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge. People with disabilities who require assistance in this program should notify the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6241 before 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct 5, 2006.
Parking is always limited for the Seafood Festival. Free parking and free shuttle service is available to and from the following Destin locations: Big Kahuna’s, Eglin Federal Credit Union, and Emerald Coast Shopping Center. Parking is also available at the Track Recreation Center, located on Highway 98. (The Track is within walking distance of the festival site.) NO PARKING is permitted at LaRocco’s Italian Restaurant or Joe’s Crab Shack. (Their parking is reserved for their customers only.)
October is a great month here in Destin as far as the weather is concerned. Temperatures have cooled off a bit which makes being outdoors much more comfortable. Plus, rain is less frequent. So, grab your chairs and kids and head out to this year’s Destin Seafood Festival. Eat, shop, and relax!
