KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — What do you get when you combine fresh seafood, live local entertainment, cooking demonstrations, casting classes and costume contests? All come together at the inaugural Key Largo Stone Crab & Seafood Festival set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30-31, at Rowell’s Marina, mile marker 104.5 bayside.
The festival, sponsored by Key Largo Fisheries and Key Largo Merchants Association, presents a delicious weekend chock full of family fun, while showcasing fishing and food from the sea. Arts and crafts, vendor booths, a Junkanoo band, fireworks and a car show also are planned.
Saturday’s scheduled highlights include a magic show, little mermaid contest, fishing tent to host a kids’ fishing “tournament,” how-to demonstrations and a casting contest. Foodie fun is centered under a cooking tent featuring grilled oysters, coconut mahi-mahi, other favorite Keys recipes and cooking demonstrations.
Sunday, festival attendees can learn how to make (and eat!) conch egg rolls, crab cakes, lobster and conch seviche or join in a shrimp-eating or Key lime pie-eating contest. “Black Caesar” and his pirate crew are planning an invasion amid the weekend-long live music backdrop.
Seafood booths are to feature a tempting array of delectable and seasonal stone crab claws, homemade fish dip, conch fritters, chowders, fish tacos and more. Landlubbers are to have plenty of chicken and beef choices too.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 per adult and $5 per child age 12 and under.
Proceeds from the event are to benefit Florida Keys Youth Sports.
For more information, visit www.fkrm.com/crabandseafood.
For area lodging, contact the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (800) 822-1088 or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
###