By Cali Hlavac
One of the locals’ favorite times of year is the Destin Seafood Festival, back for its 46th year! So popular is this exciting, delicious, delectable event that more than 60,000 locals and visitors are expected to walk through. The entire Destin Seafood Festival is a one-mile stretch, beginning at Harborwalk Village and stretching all the way to Heron Harbor with stages on each end. The 2023 Festival included more than 110 food and craft vendors, in addition to local restaurants.
Happening Friday through Sunday, September 27-29, the Festival kicks off October’s month-long Destin Fishing Rodeo. As always, it is absolutely amazing to attend and you’ll get the opportunity to take in some of the best local and coastal musicians at the beach with five stages beckoning you to a variety of live rock, reggae, country, tropical tunes and more. Local Destin restaurants and eateries will serve up their scrumptious seafood specialties on the docks and along the new, pedestrian-friendly Harbor Boardwalk. Cold drinks, including beer and wine, are available and will keep you cooled off while you take it all in. You can stroll along the Destin Harbor enjoying the arts and crafts where artists and vendors display their jewelry, clothing, sculpture, glass, watercolors, oil paintings, designs and more. And don’t forget your seafood festival T-shirt!
Enjoy the festival that has always been free – or buy a VIP ticket and enjoy the VIP area! Destin Seafood Festival organizers have created a local seafood experience that brings back the flare of local seafood to our Destin Seafood Festival. Located inside the larger festival, the VIP area will require a paid ticket to browse the local restaurant and chef tents, sample their food flavors and vote for your favorites. For more information on participating as a chef or being a sponsor for this great event, visit www.destinseafoodfestival.com.
All the food and fun began in 1978 when the Destin Charter Boat Ladies Auxiliary decided to establish a festival to celebrate local fishermen. Now a Destin tradition, it used to be only a one-day festival on “Kelly’s Hill,” where folks could overlook the Destin Harbor, the current site of HarborWalk Village. It has always been held in conjunction with the Destin Fishing Rodeo during October. Proceeds from the festival are donated back to the community, including the Destin Charter Boat Association, who works to maintain the fishery our community was built on; the Miss Destin scholarships; Destin Fisherman’s Fund to help those in need and more! The festival is hosted by area businesses in conjunction with sponsors and countless volunteers.
This year’s musical entertainment, with five different stages, will feature local bands playing throughout the festival. Harbor restaurants and bars will offer a full lineup of local favorites as well, performing throughout the day and evening. You can bring a chair and chill or don your dancing shoes! Bands and schedule TBA. Visit DestinSeafoodFestival.com.
This year the Kids Zone has expanded with multiple games for all ages. Sponsored by Fudpucker’s, the Kids Zone will include painting oyster shells, sand art, play area and more. The HarborWalk Kids Fun Zone has Hamster balls, a rock-climbing wall and a zip line. There is a seating tent nearby also. Kids will delight in face-painting and tattoos as well.
Parking will be available at Heron Harbor, the HarborWalk Village, the Marler public parking lots, the Destin Community Center and the Destin Fishing Museum. Shuttles will also be provided from the Morgan Sports Complex to the Harbor, free of charge.
Admission is totally free or you can go as a VIP with passes that include complimentary unlimited food with a variety of seafood, gumbos and catered treats and more. VIP Tickets also include private bathrooms, cash bar, additional vendors, TVs, live music and more. To purchase a VIP pass, visit the official Destin Seafood Festival website.
For a site map, to become a vendor and other information, visit DestinSeafoodFestival.com. Email info@destinseafoodfest.com.
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