It is no secret that Tampa Bay residents are fanatics for fish shacks, so it makes total sense that the next few months bring a handful of seafood food festivals to our calendar. Have a look at some upcoming seafood events (most of which are free!).
Vegan Seafood Popup Southern Brewing & Winery hosts Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood Co. for a popup event. Plant-based bites on the menu include Banana Blossom Fish & Chips, Fried Shrymp, Lobsta Mac and Crabby Cakes. The popup will run from 5-9 p.m. Wed. Aug. 28, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 4500 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.
Zephyrhills Seafood Festival The entire family can enjoy live music while exploring multiple seafood vendors as well as arts and craft vendors. Keep the kids occupied with a kids area complete with face painting and a bounce house while you get your money’s worth at the on-site beer and wine garden. GA is free, beer sampling tickets are $35. For tickets, visit gopatyent.com. Sat. Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Zephyr Park, 5th Ave., Zephyrhills.
John’s Pass Seafood and Music Festival 2019 John's Pass hosts a Seafood Fest 5K, free concerts and Flavors of the Gulf which will be packed with local breweries pouring up signature beers and local restaurants catering classic bites. Tickets are $40 for Flavors of the Gulf (two for $60). Fri. Oct. 18-Sun. Oct. 20. John's Pass, Madeira Beach. johnspassseafooddest.com.
Cooters 26th Annual Crab Fest The four-day extravaganza features fresh Florida stone crab, king crab, snow crab and Dungeness crab. Attendees can listen to live music while cashing in on food and drink specials throughout the long weekend. Thurs. Oct. 24-Sun. Oct. 27. Cooters Restaurant and Bar, 423 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach.
Frenchy’s 35th Annual Stone Crab Weekend One of the biggest block parties on Clearwater Beach features free admission and live music provided by plans including Kenny Chesney tribute band Pirate Flag Band, Cutty Jones and Hurricane Shane Band. Attendees can smack fresh off the boat stone crab claws and drink specials from noon-10 p.m. both days. Fri. Oct. 25-Sat. Oct. 26, 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Frenchy's Original Café, 41 Baymont Street, Clearwater Beach.
12th Annual Stone Crab Jam Kings Bay Rotary and the Crystal River and Charitable Foundation join forces to host a street festival in historic, downtown Crystal River. Attendees can listen to live music from noon-10 p.m. while chowing down on fresh Florida stone crab and seafood. Booze from local bars and breweries will hydrate you, food trucks will also be roaming throughout the day. Sat. Nov. 2. 12 p.m.-10 p.m. 560 N. Citrus Ave., Crystal River.
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This article appears in Aug 22-29, 2019.