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Everglades Seafood Festival: February 2, 3, 4, 2024

The historic fishing village (and notorious smuggler haven) of Everglades City showcases its catch every year at the annual Everglades Seafood Festival.

This event in Florida’s Stone Crab Capitol packs ’em in for fresh seafood, country music, carnival rides, crafts booths — with an estimated 50,000 people expected to converge on this small town (population 500) for the three-day event.

This year, the festival, which has been free for many years, is asking for a minimum of a $10 donation.

Crowds at tables at Everglades city seafood festival.
Chowing down at the Everglades City Seafood Festival. (Photo by Bob Rountree)

2024 Entertainment Schedule

FRIDAY
4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

4:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony
National Anthem
Everglades City Cheerleaders
5 p.m. Aydin Holt
6:15 p.m. Florida Straits
7:40 p.m. Pickle Money
9 p.m. Collaboration Band

SATURDAY
10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

11:30 a.m. – Noon Opening Ceremony, National Anthem
Noon – 1 p.m. Gator Nate
1:30-2:30 Wes Shipp
3-4 p.m. Rock Republic
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Drew Baldridge
6-7:15 p.m. Tuesday’s Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute)
8 – 9:30 p.m. Lonestar

SUNDAY
10 a.m. – 6 pm

10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. National Anthem
10:05 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. Chokoloskee Church
11 a.m. – Noon Sam Lowe
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Marron Chaplin
2-3 p.m. Jack Shealy Band
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Charlie Pace
5 – 6 p.m. Whey Jennings

A note about credit cards: Accepted at most booths for food, but you’ll need cash to purchase beer tickets ($5).

Everglades City: Legendary wilderness outpost

Everglades City is an off-the-beaten-track pocket of Old Florida with many original buildings and a rich history steeped in the lore of pirates and smugglers, murder and mayhem, and some of the best fishing and freshest seafood anywhere in the state of Florida.

The old-fashioned neoclassical City Hall once served as Collier County’s main courthouse until the county’s population shifted north to Naples, 40 miles away.

Settled in the 1880s, Everglades City has retained its small-town charm, if not it’s legendary character — and characters.

The town’s first Seafood Festival was held in 1970 to raise money for playground equipment, and that charitable tradition is still alive and well with proceeds from the festival going to local causes and college scholarships for local students.

In addition to shiploads of fresh seafood served up by local fishermen and restaurants, this year’s festival will feature 100 arts and crafts booths, a carnival and continuous country music and bluegrass throughout the weekend.

Stay up to date on entertainment and daily events at the Everglades Seafood Festival Facebook page.

Getting to the Everglades Seafood Festival

Traffic can be tricky, so arrive early and bring your patience. Many avoid that problem by arriving on motorcycle. The community has long been a favorite group outing for motorcycle clubs throughout South Florida.

Parking is provided by local charities near the festival site.

Tamiami Trail makes a scenic route to Everglades City from Southeast Florida.

From the Gulf Coast, take I-75 south to Collier Boulevard (County Road 951), south to U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail), then east to State Road 29, which will take you south into Everglades City.

From the Atlantic Coast, take Alligator Alley (I-75) west to the State Road 29 exit, then straight south to Everglades City.

Website for Everglades Seafood Festival

Hot tip: No pets, no coolers and be prepared to walk.


RV and/or tent camping:

Campsite at at Collier-Seminole State Park near Naples
Campsite at at Collier-Seminole State Park near Everglades City and Marco Island.

Public Campgrounds

Private Campgrounds


Lodging

Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City.
The historic Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Things to do and see near Everglades City:

ten thousand islands aerial by tommy wikland
Everglades City is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands.

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John Hutto

Saturday 18th of February 2023

Won't be back. Said no dogs allowed. Plenty of dogs there. Would have brought mine. Said bring your own chairs for concert. We did and were set to watch Marshall Tucker Band. Just before they came on they announced Sheriff said everybody in chairs on asphalt had to pick up chairs and move to grass area because of fire hazard. That sux. We left but others stayed put as we exited. They don't care and I don't care to ever return to this unorganized mess.

Drip Tapley

Saturday 12th of February 2022

We went yesterday....$30 for a grouper sandwich (good & lg) and a bit of rice; $10-12 for a chicken on a stick (depends on who waits on you); $15 for fried rice...$5 extra for that 1 scoop of veggies and sealegs added to it; $20 for a bowl of jambalaya. If you do go, hit Fionas and get a fruit filled fry bread for $6...best deal in the whole place and super delicious. $9 for a scoop of mullet with cream cheese and some saltines. We won't be going back again.

Rob

Monday 21st of March 2022

@Drip Tapley, We were displaying at the show and sold Coconut Shrimp and Mahi sandwiches for $15. You were obviously looking only under the pavilion. There was lots more food available. Oh and BTW, I saw a grouper sandwich for $16 right next to the guys selling frog legs. Sorry you didn't like the show but 50K sure did.

Penny

Friday 11th of February 2022

Kindly advise earliest if I may bring my 13 lb dog. She will be leashed at all times

Bob Rountree

Friday 11th of February 2022

Unless festival organizers changed the rules, no pets, no coolers and be prepared to walk.

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