TAMPA BAY AREA, FL – John’s Pass Seafood & Music Festival, Florida’s Largest Seafood Festival is facing extinction.
John’s Pass Seafood Festival requests the support of the community as the City of Madeira Beach will be coming to a decision on the waiver of parking fees for the festival on July 31st at 2:00 p.m. The City has estimated the cost of these fees at $22,000. If the commission refuses to pass this waiver the event will end this year.
John’s Pass Seafood Festival joins the many events that once gave life to the area already terminated or been put in jeopardy by their current commission. These include Old Salt’s King of the Beach Kingfish Tournament, Old Salt’s Baddest BBQ on The Bone Fishing Slam, and Angler Armory’s Wild West Fishing Series along with the many concerts and events previously held at ROC Park and on Madeira Way.
With the addition of these fees the festival will no longer be able to sustain financially. The festival’s board of directors works year long to promote the event, John’s Pass Village, and the City of Madeira Beach spending over $100,000 in marketing and promotion to keep the area top of mind for visitors to the local area. The City has never collected parking revenue on this weekend in the past.
The tradition of a free event, volunteer efforts, community, and charity donations has been a part of the community for 36 years. Last year the festival donated $24,188 in cash and in kind value to charities. The remaining proceeds continue the marketing fund for the destination. A portion of this year’s proceeds are planned to be donated to Pinellas County Schools, A Reel Future, Lupus Foundation, and American Heart Association.
The John’s Pass Seafood Festival has featured non-stop musical performances from some of the best bands, hundreds of craft vendors, hundreds of local businesses, amazing seafood and has always been free to the public. The festival boasts over 150,000 visitors to the area in four days. These visitor support local businesses by staying, shopping, and eating locally within the City and surrounding communities.
Please help us keep one of the barrier island’s longest standing traditions alive by attending the workshop meeting on July 24th at 2:00 p.m. at 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach. If you are unable to attend you can contact the Madeira Beach City Manager, Mayor, and Commission via email. Please copy johnpassseafood@gmail.com on all transcriptions regarding this matter.
Jonathan Evans, City Manager jevans@madeirabeachfl.gov
Maggi Black, Mayor
Debbie Weinstein, District 1 dweinstein@madierabeachfl.gov
Nancy Hodges, District 2 nhodges@madeirabeachfl.gov
Nancy Oakley, District 3 noakley@madeirabeachfl.gov
John Douthirt, District 4 jdouthirt@madeirabeachfl.gov
37TH ANNUAL JOHN’S PASS SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL
FEATURED WEEKEND EVENTS INCLUDE
Flavors of The Gulf: Thursday, October 25
Join us for the full VIP experience. 16 local restaurants sampling their best items in the hopes of winning best local dish. You be the judge and experience the area’s best bartenders competing in the Tito’s Best Bartender Challenge! Sample beers from over 19 of the area’s breweries and cast your vote for best brew! Tickets at Racehawk.com.
Tampa Bay’s LARGEST Food Truck Rally: Friday, October 26 – Sunday, October 28
In order to ensure the highest quality seafood and to encourage guests to enjoy local quality products the festival has teamed up with Tampa Bay Food Trucks and local seafood wholesalers to host 25 food trucks at the event.
Halloween Block Party: Friday, October 26
Adult Costume Contest and Block Party handing out $5,000 in cash prizes draws the best in Halloween fun. Hosted by Wild 94.1’s The Nuthouse.
Seafood Festival 5K: Saturday, October 27
Calling runners this is your day to participate in the action! Join us in the morning on the sand for a 5K run to start your day off right. All finishers receive a medal! Learn more on Racehawk.com.
World Record Bloody Mary Toast: Sunday, October 28
With 2,457 participants last year we haven’t been beat yet but that won’t stop us from challenging our own record. Join Tito’s Vodka and Blood Brother’s Shot Mix in the World’s Largest Bloody Mary Toast. Only $1 per cup and all proceeds for this event benefit American Heart Association.
Battle at the Pass Fishing Tournament: Sunday, October 28
Attention anglers big and small we will catch you in the water! All skill levels welcome. Big prizes for all winners! Learn more on Anglerarmory.com.