Best Florida Sea Food Festivals To Fly To!

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Calendar & Trip Reports - 1997

Calendar & Trip Reports - 1998

***** ***** ***** March ***** ***** *****

----- Location -----
1998 Date
1997 Date

St.Catherine Greek Festival


5965 Wickham Rd., 1/2 mile north of Pineda Causeway, Melbourne, Florida. Again one of the finest local festivals. All kinds of Greek food, Great Sweet Deserts from Tarpon Springs Bakery - the best in the state. Greek Wine (Retsina - some love it, some say it taste like creosote), Dancing and partying . THIS ONE IS A MUST TO GO TO!!! (407)-254-1045. Friday & Sat Noon to 11 PM, Sunday Noon to 8 PM.
97 - Great time, Great Food, Great Wine, Great Greek Music - Was really crowded on Saturday!!
Last Updated 08-Feb-98 - 98 Great Fest on Saturday Night - Good Food, Wine, Deserts, and Dancers!
Feb 27, 28
Mar 1
Feb 28
Mar 1-2
Central Florida Fair , SR 50 [4603 W. Colonial Drive] Orlando, (407)-295-3247
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Feb 27 - Mar 9
Chili Cook-off Hernando Beach Yacht Club (352)-688-7431.
Fly To Brooksville (BKV)

Last updated 23-Sept-97
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Mar 1
Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival

Chamber (904)-796-2420, Festival info (352)-596-4743 - 10 AM to 5 PM, 20k attended, Rt 595 - Shoal Line Blvd.! Food includes chicken/dumplings, barbecue, fish, crab cakes, gator, swamp cabbage (made from heats of Palm, like in Palm Trees) etc.
FLY to Brooksville (Hernando County Airport, (BKV),
97 - BKV is a big airport (Uncontrolled field with an ILS!). Rent a car at the airport.
Last updated 12-Dec-97 - 98 Great Weather / Great Fest (drove to it!). Parking for cars arriving late (after 11) is grim!?.
Mar 7-8
Mar 1-2
St. Johns River Fine Arts & Crafts, Sanford, Sanford Chamber of Commerce
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Mar 2-3
Meet Me Downtown - Mizne Park Boca Raton. Larg arts and crafts show. Live music and entertainment, car show, food, admission - FREE (407)-395-4433 Boca does have it's own airport!!
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Mar 1-3
Greek Wine and Food Festival, Tarpon Springs . A taste of the Mediterranean on the Gulf. FLY into Tampa Bay Exec (X41), 5001' x 48', (813)-376-0052 call ahead for transportation to Tarpon Springs! . Chamber of Commerce (813)-937-6109. (813)-944-3366 - or - 937-3540. At St. Nicholas Orthodox Catheral, Alt 19 and Orange Street. Greek music, dancing, food, pastries, arts and crafts, white elephant sale, raffles and prizes. Fri & Sat - 10 AM to 10 PM, Sun - Noon to 8 PM.
Last Updated 25-Dec-97
As of
25-Dec-97
Date TBD
Mar 7-9

Plant City Strawberry Fest


FLY to Plant City Mun (PCM) , (unconfirmed), Arrange transportation
Festival #'s 813-752-9194, 754-1996, 754-2190. Exit 10 off of I4 Go up to the traffic light then look for a parking spot.
This is one of the largest festivals - probably 10 acres of food, rides, 4H, U Name It, They probably have it. "Rural Agricultural Celebration" (Redneck blast), arts, crafts, carnival rides, strawberry everything, Bluegrass concert. Concert tickets via Ticket master - Country!!! St. Pete Chamber (TBD), Plant City Chamber (TBD)
Country Singers Schedule - TBD
We started going there for the strawberry shortcake and home made cinnamon buns (2-3" thick by 6" x 6"), Other foods and the rides!!
Last Updated 02-Jan-98 - Went Friday Night - Great Strawberries, Great Big Cininmon Buns, Great Food, Great Fest!
Feb 26
- Mar 8
Feb 27 -- Mar 9
Safety Harbor Sea Food Festival

(N of Clearwater, north end of Tampa Bay). This is a small Festival but has a lot of great foods.
In 1996, when we arrived to the Festival- there was a sign saying it was postponed due to expected bad weather - bad weather that never came - AN THEY DIDN'T TELL ANYONE IT WAS CANCELED! They really goofed on that one!!!
97 - Great time - the weather this year was 80, clear blue sky's, slight breeze, not too crowded. There were several places that had fantastic food. One worth mentioning is "Crabby Bills [There all over St. Pete area]" There special was a Mahi Mahi sandwich for $2.50, it had to be a 1/2 pound of really great blackened spicy fish.
Last Updated 08-Feb-98 - Sunday Great Fest, Crabby Bills is the best! Good craft show.
Mar 7-8
Mar 8-9
West Palm Beech Italian Festival. clematis Street, downtown West Palm Beach. Italian food, imported beer and wine, cultural exhibits, arts and crafts, live bands ets. admission free. (407)-832-6397
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Mar 8-10
Palatka Azalea Festival , Downtown Palatka, Arts, Crafts, Food, Entertainment, Pagent, Parade - Diana Burnett (904)-328-9625
FLY TO Kay Larkin Airport (28J)
Last Updated 26-Oct-97
Mar 6-8
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Melbourne Rib Festival - Viera, this one has always been great for pigging out on ribs. There are many rib cookers from all over the US, probably 2 dozen of them. They each have their own style. For a few bucks you can get a sample of their ribs. Go from one place to another, vote on the ribs. They serve ribs and beer!!! There are rides and all kinds other stuff.
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Doesn't look good for '97
Cocoa Village Arts & Crafts Fest
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Mar 11-12
Florida Irish Festival At Seminole Casselberry Greyhound Pk, Orlando ($10), I haven't been to this one, but it sounds real great. Irish comedians & musicians, Irish Beer Garden, Irish Food, Irish Artists & Craftsman. Seminole Greyhound Park, Casselberry, 407-872-7695, Rte 50 to Rte 17/92 North, Turn right Seminole Blvd between 436 and 434
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Canceled
Tico Air Show Valiant Air Command Warbird show , Space Center Executive Airport FLY to ( (TIX) ), ILS and NDB Approaches, Flying get there real early and you'll leave late, lots of war birds, food, shows, airplane and airshows. Modern Military Fly-By's & Demos, Vintage Warbirds & Static Displays, Strafing Runs, Dog Fights, Military Vehicles, Classic Autos. Gates Open at 8:30 am, Flight Line Sat & Sun 9:00 - 12:00 noon, Shows 1:00, Twilight Show 4:00 Friday only with flight line 12:00 - 3:30 pm and show at 4 PM. (407)-268-1941. Adult $10/$8, Children $6/$4 (at door/advance). flight line Pass $3.
97 - Didn't get a chance to go this year, but I heard it was really great - again!
Last Updated 11-Jan-98
Mar 13-15
Mar 14-16
St. Petersburg - Country in the Park Festival and Trade Show (813)-544-4777. St. Pete Chamber Behind Pinellas Park city Hall.
FLY TO St. Pete / Clearwater (PIE)
Last updated 25-Sept-97
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Mar 14
Naples Fifth Avenue Festival of the Arts. 2nd weekend of March. 200 booths!
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Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. 3rd weekend in March. 200 booths!
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Island Food Festival , contact Lower Keys Chamber (800)-872-3722, (305)-872-2411. Don't know which key yet! But - Any excuse is worth the flight to the Keys!! Called the chamber and couldn't find anyone that knew of this fest??
Last Updated 01-Jan-98
Mar 23
?????
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Port Canaveral Sea Food Festival

Another good one to go to, remember the chowder cook off a month ago, here's where it is served. Lots of seafood and rides. Worth going to!! Ref. Cocoa Beach Chamber (407)-459-2200. Variety of foods [steamed shrimp, oysters, octopus, chowder, gumbo], continuous entertainment, Navy ship tours, boat show, business sponsor's, helicopter rides, craft show! Admission $5/3.
97 - Great time - all kinds of SEA FOOD [a lot of it was fried (ugh)], but there was some brioled etc! This fest is really growing!
98 - Friday night not many people, food good. Hear it was crowded on Sat!
Mar 27-29
Mar 21

22 & 23

Palatka Rally at the River , 3rd Weekend in March, Riverfront in Palatka, Gold Wing Motor Bike Rally, Vendors, Poker Run, Bike Parade, Food, Prizes!!! Bass Capital Gold Wijngs (904)-325-6427
FLY TO Kay Larkin Airport (28J)
Last Updated 26-Oct-97
Mar 21-22??
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Family Expo - Spring in the Woods Festival , - Chamber (904)-796-2420, Festival info (352)-683-3700, Evergreen Woods SR 50 W. Celebration of food, music and the arts!
FLY to Brooksville (Hernando County Airport, (BKV),
Last updated 13-Dec-97
Mar 21-22
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St. Augustine Sea Food Festival - Still haven't been able to find out about this one. One contact says it's put on by the Lion's Club (???-829-1711) in Downtown St. Augustine Plaza.
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Mar 29
Masaryktonw Arts Fest - Kennedy Park, US 41 at Wilson. Artists and Artsians Show and Sell, Music, Food. 1997 had 175 Artists. Contact (352)-683-3989. Chamber (904)-796-2420
FLY to Brooksville (Hernando County Airport, (BKV),
Last Updated 23-Sept-97
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May 24-25

Original Marathon Seafood Festival.


Fly in to (MTH)
97 - Great time. We flow a Warrier to MTH and took the local taxi cab "Cheapo Taxi 743-7420 - It is definately layed back!) to the fest ($4 each way). The fest was small, but there was an abundance of SEA FOOD. Florida Lobster Dinners!! Lots of clams, smoked fish, Fresh Grouper, Fresh Mahi Mahi etc. There were Crafts, Boats, Engines etc. Definately worth the flight to the keys for (Any excuse is worth the flight to the Keys!!). Chamber 305-743-5417. Sat 10am - 10pm, Sun 10am - 6pm.
98 - One of the BEST Flights, Sea Food Fest's, and Dive For Bugs Trips in a long time!! Dive Trip Report
Mar 28-29
Mar 22-23
Conch Shell Blowing Contest - KEY WEST. Don't know where or time yet! Contact (305)-294-9501. Any excuse is worth the flight to the Keys!!
FLY TO Key Wests Intl (EYW) See directions at Airport link!
Last Updated 01-Jan-98
Mar 28
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