Sensational Seafood to Star at Jan. 14-15 Key West Festival
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Since Key West's earliest settlement in the 1820s, the tiny island's cuisine has been based around the bounty of the sea. Seafood lovers can feast on fresh local lobster, finfish, shrimp, stone crab claws and more — and salute the hardy fishermen who spend their careers harvesting it — during the Florida Keys Seafood Festival set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14-15.
The festival is to take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Key West's Bayview Park, located at Truman Avenue and Jose Marti Drive. The mouthwatering family-friendly gathering was conceived to showcase regional seafood and generate interest in the history and significance of the Keys' commercial fishing industry.
Admission is $5 per adult including entry into a raffle for $250 worth of seafood. Children under age 12 are admitted free.
Attendees can purchase and savor offerings that typically include grilled Florida spiny lobster, fried fish, tasty stone crab claws, smoked fish dip, pick-and-peel Key West pink shrimp and more — all caught, cooked and served by Keys commercial fishermen and their families.
The menu also includes favorite dishes such as conch salad, chowder and fritters prepared according to local recipes, as well as traditional flan and Key lime pie for dessert. In addition, soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails are to be available for purchase.
Plans call for other attractions including continuous live music by regional musicians and bands, arts and crafts booths showcasing handcrafted wares, raffles, educational marine life exhibits and a "Fun Zone" for kids.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association and scholarships for college-bound students from Key Largo to Key West.
Event information: floridakeysseafoodfestival.com
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or
1-800-LAST-KEY
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram• YouTube• KeysVoices.com
Attendees can purchase grilled Florida spiny lobster, fried fish, tasty stone crab claws, smoked fish dip, pick-and-peel Key West pink shrimp — all caught, cooked and served by Keys commercial fishermen and their families.
Seafood lovers can feast on fresh local lobster, finfish, shrimp, stone crab claws and more.