That’s why it appears solely becoming that the historic fishing village of Everglades City — the state’s very personal stone-crab capital — will quickly grow to be floor zero for all issues Florida fish throughout the annual Everglades Seafood Festival.
According to a trio of Everglades City residents — Holly Dudley, Kelly Kirk, and Carrie Doxsee — the competition dates again to the early Seventies when native fishermen hosted a cookout to lift cash for playground gear.
Today, the Everglades Seafood Festival’s new administrators inform New Times they’re keen about persevering with that mission, working yr spherical to prepare the nonprofit occasion. Their purpose: increase cash for the encircling neighborhood whereas concurrently providing Floridians and guests a uncommon alternative to pattern the bounty of Florida’s seafood in a single place.
“Over the final 50 years, the competition has grown from a handful of fishermen elevating cash for our faculties to an enormous occasion that pulls hundreds of holiday makers,” explains Dudley. “As locals born and raised, we needed to take this on and reserve it. This competition is basically essential for our space. The folks stay up for all of it yr, and all of the funds return into the neighborhood.”
The Florida Stone Crabbers Association (FLSCA) will host the occasion for the second yr in a row. Founded in May 2020, the nonprofit group serves to unite and advocate for stone crab fishermen, work that aligns completely with the competition’s mission to assist the area’s native fishermen.
“This yr, the competition can even be donating funds to assist Florida fishermen impacted by Hurricane Ian,” provides Dudley. “It wasn’t simply properties and companies that have been flooded, however boats and gear have been misplaced, as nicely. That’s why it is essential for us to allocate funds from our 2023 competition to assist the victims and business fishermen rebuild.”
Everglades Seafood Festival administrators (from left) Kelly Kirk, Holly Dudley, and Carrie Doxsee
Everglades Seafood Festival photograph
Settled within the Eighties, Everglades City is considered one of a handful of the state’s coastal communities that is managed to retain its small-town appeal, with a inhabitants of simply 500 full-time residents over time, explains Dudley. A two-hour drive from Miami, the quaint Gulf Coast city presents a glimpse into Old Florida life and among the greatest fishing and seafood in Florida.
It’s that lure of recent seafood that pulls an estimated 50,000 people who find themselves anticipated to converge on the small city for the three-day occasion that features carnival rides, stay music, and native artists, provides Dudley.
This yr, greater than 200 meals distributors will supply a wide range of seafood, from the acquainted stone crabs, grouper, blue crab, and shrimp to extra unique catches like frogs’ legs, gator, and mullet. The solely requirement: Local seafood should come from the encircling waters or the Gulf of Mexico.
Expect meals to be served in all method of conventional recipes, together with an Everglades gumbo and a singular Old Florida dish often known as swamp cabbage with the guts of the cabbage palm (sabal palmetto), the official state tree of Florida. The cabbage is commonly boiled down and cooked with tomatoes, jalapeño, and bacon and seasoned with sugar, garlic, and thyme.
In addition to all kinds of recent seafood served up by native fishermen and eating places, the 2023 competition additionally will characteristic tons of of arts and crafts cubicles; a carnival; and stay nation music and bluegrass all through the weekend.
“One factor we do pleasure ourselves on is that this competition is concerning the neighborhood at giant,” sums up Dudley. “The three of us have been attending this competition our complete lives and we wish to be certain people who find themselves coming from distant can expertise the particular native delicacies that come out of our native waters whereas supporting people who make it potential.”
The 53rd annual Everglades Seafood Festival will happen Friday, February 17, via Sunday, February 19, 2023, outdoors Everglades City Hall, the place attendees experience Southern-inspired stay music, inventive works from native artists, chilly drinks, carnival rides, and — after all — loads of recent seafood.
Friday night time admission is free for all ages. Weekend admission Saturday and Sunday is a $5 per particular person minimal donation for adults. Children and residents of Everglades City, Chokoloskee, and Copeland obtain free admission Friday via Sunday. Beverages and carnival experience tickets are money solely, and ATMs shall be onsite.
Everglades Seafood Festival. 102 Copeland Ave N., Everglades City; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, February 17, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, February 18, and 10 a.m. to six p.m. Sunday, February 19. $5 minimal admission for adults; EvergladesSeafoodFestival-2023.com.