Florida Keys Seafood Festival to Salute Local Fishermen and Harvest Jan. 16-17

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Florida Keys commercial fishermen and fans of fresh fish and seafood are to gather Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17, to celebrate the island chain's bountiful ocean harvest during the 11th annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival.

Presented by the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, the family-friendly feast is set for 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 savory seafood menu features fresh grilled Florida spiny lobster, "pick and peel" Key West pink shrimp, stone crab claws, fried local fish, smoked fish dip with crackers, lobster bisque and more. All seafood is to be prepared and served by local fishermen and their families.

Traditional regional favorites such as savory conch chowder and conch fritters also await attendees, as do hotdogs and hamburgers, while desserts include sweet flan and Key lime pie. Beverages ranging from soft drinks to beer and wine to island-style cocktails are to be available for purchase.

Plans also call for nonstop entertainment by local musicians including Paul Cotton, who was the longtime lead vocalist and lead guitarist for the acclaimed country-rock band Poco.

Vendor booths are to offer arts and crafts depicting aspects of the fishing community and marine life, as well as other items handcrafted by local artisans. Additional attractions include marine life exhibits, raffles and a "fun zone" with energetic activities for kids.

Admission is $5 per adult, including entry into a raffle for $250 worth of seafood, and free for children under age 12. 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: fkcfa.org, monroe.ifas.ufl.edu, facebook.com/kwseafood or 305-872-9026

Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

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