‘I Love Stock Island’ Festival to Blend Cuisine, Arts and Waterfront Heritage

STOCK ISLAND, Florida Keys — A thriving culinary scene, vibrant arts emporiums and a colorful working waterfront characterize Stock Island, the Florida Keys community on the outskirts of Key West. Visitors can explore the eclectic island — headquarters of the Keys’ commercial shrimping industry — during the I Love Stock Island Festival set for Wednesday through Sunday, June 12-16.

Attractions during the Father’s Day weekend festival include fresh-off-the-boat seafood and other island cuisine, art and history tours, live music and the lively free-admission Festival for the Family.

Among the opening events Wednesday, June 12, is a collaborative land-and-water cleanup designed to inspire environmental responsibility, preserve Stock Island’s freewheeling charm and benefit the local ecosystem. 

The evening’s highlight is to be the Cayo Hueso Brewing Low Country Shrimp Boil accompanied by the brewery’s craft beer. Attendees can arrive at 5:30 p.m. to watch the feast being cooked in a Cayo Hueso brewing kettle. The buffet-style meal is to be served at 6:30 p.m. in the casual courtyard of the property, located at 5635 1st Ave. 

The festival’s subsequent offerings include daily self-guided tours of Stock Island’s favorite food trucks and the island’s richly creative street art murals. 

Thursday’s schedule includes an exclusive Winebow wine tasting at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina, 5950 Peninsular Ave. Slated for 5:30 p.m., the gathering is to feature light snacks from the resort’s Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen to complement the vintages. 

Capping Friday’s attractions is the guided 4-8 p.m. Taste of Stock Island Trolley Tour. Traveling via Old Town Trolley, guests are to stop at selected restaurants to savor small plates and beverage pairings. 

Saturday’s main event is the Festival for the Family at Bernstein Park, 6751 5th St. The 4-8 p.m. open-air celebration is to feature an artisan market, games and entertainment, food and libations, activities for kids and a silent auction. Auction proceeds are to benefit the SOS Foundation and Food Pantry on Stock Island. 

Several Father’s Day activities for dads and kids are available Sunday. Options include participating in the family-friendly VFW Fishing Tournament; taking a guided van tour that spotlights Stock Island’s history, characters and “old Florida Keys” lifestyle; and sharing a Father’s Day brunch at Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen at the Perry Hotel & Marina, 7001 Shrimp Road.

The festival finale is Sunday’s Closeout Bash & Pool Party presented by the Perry Marina and Bad Boy Taqueria & Tequila, 7011 Shrimp Road. The 2-6 p.m. event features food, drinks, music, raffle prizes and Stock Island’s traditional community camaraderie — all beside the scenic deep-water marina. 

Festival schedule and ticketing: ILoveStockIsland.org