The Florida Seafood Festival is an annual two-day celebration of Florida’s seafood industry, fishing heritage and coastal culture. Held at Battery Park beneath the oak trees along the Apalachicola waterfront, the festival attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy fresh local seafood, entertainment and family activities.
The festival highlights the area’s maritime traditions and its connection with the Apalachicola River and Bay.
Main attractions include:
- Fresh seafood: Local seafood dishes, including oysters and other seafood specialities.
- Oyster shucking contest: Participants compete to open oysters quickly and skillfully.
- Oyster eating contest: A popular competition for festival visitors.
- Blue Crab Races: Entertaining crab races, particularly popular with children.
- Festival parade: A traditional parade through Apalachicola.
- Blessing of the Fleet: A maritime tradition honouring fishing vessels and the local fishing community.
- 5K Redfish Run: A running event for participants.
- Arts and crafts: Local artists and craft vendors display and sell their work.
- Live music: Musical performances and evening concerts.
- Tonging for Treasure: A seafood-related activity featured in the festival programme.
The event also features an exhibition about the history of the festival and the local seafood industry.
Event timings
| Date | Opening and closing | Main activities |
| Friday, November 6 | 10:00 AM–10:30 PM | Blessing of the Fleet, royal arrival, live music and concert |
| Saturday, November 7 | 10:00 AM–10:30 PM | Parade, Redfish Run, blue crab races, oyster contests and concert |
Saturday admission: $10. Children under 12 enter free. Friday park admission is free.
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