Destin Seafood Festival at Destin Harbor Oct 3-5
September 23rd, 2008
Destin, FL – The 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival will take place at HarborWalk Village, alongside Destin’s harbor, on Oct. 3-5. In addition to the wide selection of fresh seafood, more than 30,000 visitors and locals will enjoy nationally known headlining entertainment, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, and more.
For its 30th anniversary, the Destin Seafood Festival is returning to the spot of its origin, the Destin harbor. On Oct. 3-5, more than 25,000 visitors and locals will pack HarborWalk Village alongside the harbor docks to enjoy fresh local seafood and all the festivities.
“Why the harbor? Why not! Having the Destin Seafood Festival at the harbor is a dream come true! What better way can we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the festival but on the harbor? The Seafood Festival belongs to the people of Destin, and they want their festival on the harbor. So with the generosity of Legendary, Inc., who provided the site, we are ready to put together a grand celebration,” said Destin Seafood Festival Chair Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union.
“The one complaint we hear year after year is “why isn’t the festival on the harbor?” So when the opportunity to move to the harbor arose, we knew we needed to jump at the chance and work it out. We’ve tried very hard the last four years to make this festival bigger and better each year, and we’ve definitely done that. While we understand this will only be a temporary home, this takes the festival to a whole new level. Who doesn’t want to be part of the festival on the harbor?” explained Chamber President and CEO Shane Moody, CCE, IOM.
Visit the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce to purchase your 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival admission passes today. Passes are $5 per day or $10 for the entire 3-day festival. For a complete schedule of events and detailed festival information, please visit www.DestinSeafoodFestival.org or contact the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6241. The Chamber is located at 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A, at the entrance to Regatta Bay. This annual event is the official kickoff for the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which takes place the entire month of October.
Nationally Known Headliners and Local Favorites to Perform
Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, and the Commodores will take center stage during the Destin Seafood Festival’s 30th celebration, set to take place Oct. 3-5, along the Destin harbor.
Mark Farner is the former voice, guitarist, and songwriter of one of the 1970s biggest bands, Grand Funk Railroad, which earned 12 platinum and 15 gold albums. Hits include We’re an American Band, Foot-Stompin’ Music, and I’m your Captain (Closer to Home). Farner has also released critically acclaimed albums as a solo artist.
Opening for Farner will be the Atlanta Rhythm Section. After its release of 15 albums and more than 30 years of live shows, the Atlanta Rhythm Section is a major player in the Southern Rock movement. Its biggest hits include So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginary Lover, and Spooky.
For more than three decades, the Commodores have remained a force in the music industry. Just like the hit Brick House, the Commodores have created a foundation that just won’t budge. With hits like Night Shift, Machine Gun, and Sail On, the group has sold more than 60 million records for Motown and has since begun its own label, Commodores Records and Entertainment.
The Commodore’s opening act will be Captain Fantastic, the premier Elton John Tribute Show complete with stunning costumes and a 5-foot baby grand piano, which dazzles with lights, smoke, and lasers.
Local favorites will also hit the stage during the event. Dread Clampitt and Chuck Lawson will play on Saturday afternoon and the Sal Salaz Project and Jones and Company will play Sunday.
Dishes from Local Restaurants
To help the Destin Seafood Festival celebrate its 30th year, some of the area’s favorite restaurants are bringing their best fresh seafood dishes and other specialties, including favorite dishes from the Back Porch, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Louisiana Lagniappe; Authentic New Orleans Sno-Balls from 32 Degrees Sno-Balls; Coconut Shrimp and Island Shrimp Creole from the Caribbean Cafe; Key Lime Pie from the Donut Hole; Crawfish Etoufee, Grouper St. Charles, and Fish Tacos from Kenny D’s New Orleans Cuisine; Caramel Apples and Fudge from Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge, & Ice Cream; Homemade Root Beer Floats from McGuire’s Irish Pub; Wood Fired Snapper and Crab Cakes from Trader Vic’s; and Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Frozen Mocha from Tropical Sno.
Florida Lottery to Broadcast Live Drawings from Destin Seafood Festival
The Florida Lottery will distribute free scratch off tickets and loads of prizes, as well as broadcast its live drawings from the festival site both Friday and Saturday night. Also, a scratch-cam, which can be viewed later at www.FlaLottery.com, will record people’s reactions as they scratch off tickets to discover what prize may await them.
