Destin, FL, May 30 - The Southeast Tourism Society has selected the 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival as one of the Top 20 Events for the month of October 2008. This year marks the second year in a row and the third time overall the Destin Seafood Festival has been selected for the honor.

     According to the Southeast Tourism Society’s website, the goal of Top 20 Events is to bring more extensive tourism and recognition to events that the Southeast area has to offer.

     “What a distinction and an honor for the Destin Seafood Festival to once again be named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast,” said Karen McCarthy, Seafood Festival Committee Chairman and Assistant Vice President of Walton County Operations for Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union. “This is a tribute to the Chamber, the volunteers, and the people of Destin who have loved this festival for more than 30 years.”

     To celebrate its 30th year, the festival is returning to the spot of its origin on the Destin harbor. On Oct. 3-5, 2008, more than 25,000 visitors and locals will pack HarborWalk Village alongside Destin’s docks to enjoy fresh local seafood, live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, and more.

     “For the amount of work that goes into the Seafood Festival, it is truly an honor to have it recognized as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast,” said Shane Moody, President and CEO of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our volunteers and staff who do the hard work as well as our community that supports it each year should be extremely proud of what they accomplish year in and year out.”

     The Southeast Tourism Society selects 20 events per month and publishes them quarterly. The results are shared with more than 300 newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations, as well as 125 AAA publications.

     For more information about the 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival, please contact the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6214, visit www.DestinSeafoodFestival.org, or visit www.EscapeToTheSoutheast.com.