Are you ready? The 39th Annual John’s Pass Seafood and Music Festival is returning to the Tampa Bay region beginning Friday, October 18 and running through the weekend. The festival, which began in 1980, has become one of the largest Seafood celebrations in the country highlighting the beautiful waterfront village which provides a large array of entertainment options including shopping, dining and attractions. John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk in Madeira Beach has a history steeped in it’s love of the sea, rather the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ceiga Bay in this case. You will find fishing charters, fresh seafood and on the water activities.
Each October the streets are lined with unique vendors, live entertainment and amazing cuisine during this annual event. Last year the food was provided by food trucks, each with it’s own unique niche. Each truck will provide it’s signature dishes along with four seafood items. This provides a variety of options for everyone, as not everyone comes for the seafood. Music fills the air throughout the weekend with performances on the main stage by some of the areas hottest bands. Admission is free and many of the weekends events support community causes.
The festival will kick of on Friday evening with the “Flavors of the Gulf” is a ticketed event featuring samplings of the areas finest restaurants and craft breweries. This event supports the efforts of A Reel Future, a charity dedicated to sharing knowledge and a passion for fishing and the great outdoors to future generations. One lucky attendee will win a two night stay and activities at The Plantation in Crystal River. Tickets are available on the website and do sell out. Saturday morning starts early for the participants of the Fishy 5K as runners take in the beautiful views along the Gulf. Each participant will receive $15 in food vouchers for the festival. This annual event is in partnership with Relay for Life. There will be Trick or Treating throughout the weekend and a children’s costume contest on Saturday afternoon. Traditionally the area’s largest Halloween Block Party and Adult Costume Contest is held on Friday night, it has now been moved to Saturday evening to give everyone ample time to prepare for the festivities. Each year thousands flock to the party to stand in awe and disbelief at the incredible costumes as this is one of the area’s largest payouts with $5000 in prizes. Even a real fire breathing dragon came in second! Sunday the kid’s take to the seawall for a free fishing tournament. With so much to see and do at the festival, why not make it a weekend event.
Complete details including concert calendar, event registration and parking visit the website at www.johnspassseafoodfest.com or on Facebook. Volunteers are a huge part of the festival and are rewarded with a t-shirt and food tickets for their time, if you can help information and registration is available online.