Destin Seafood Festival Begins Friday

     Destin, FL, Oct. 1 - On Oct. 3-5, the Destin Seafood Festival will celebrate its 30th year back at the spot of its origin, beside the docks on the Destin harbor. Festivities include nationally known headliners and local favorites, local restaurants sharing their best seafood dishes and specialties, arts & crafts booths, a kids’ area, live drawings and free scratch off tickets from the Florida Lottery, gators from Fudpucker’s Gator Beach, and more!

     Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, and the Commodores will take center stage during the event. Mark Farner is the former voice, guitarist, and songwriter of one of the 1970s biggest bands, Grand Funk Railroad, which earned 12 platinum and 15 gold albums. Hits include We’re an American Band, Foot-Stompin’ Music, and I’m your Captain (Closer to Home). Farner has also released critically acclaimed albums as a solo artist.

     Opening for Farner will be the Atlanta Rhythm Section. After its release of 15 albums and more than 30 years of live shows, the Atlanta Rhythm Section is a major player in the Southern Rock movement. Its biggest hits include So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginary Lover, and Spooky.

     For more than three decades, the Commodores have remained a force in the music industry. Just like the hit Brick House, the Commodores have created a foundation that just won’t budge. With hits like Night Shift, Machine Gun, and Sail On, the group has sold more than 60 million records for Motown and has since begun its own label, Commodores Records and Entertainment.

     The Commodore’s opening act will be Captain Fantastic, the premier Elton John Tribute Show complete with stunning costumes and a 5-foot baby grand piano, which dazzles with lights, smoke, and lasers.

     Local favorites will also hit the stage during the event. Dread Clampitt and Chuck Lawson will play on Saturday afternoon and the Sal Salaz Project and Jones and Company will play Sunday.

     To help the Destin Seafood Festival celebrate its 30th year, some of the area’s favorite restaurants are bringing their best fresh seafood dishes and other specialties, including favorite dishes from the Back Porch, Café Grazie, Fisherman’s Wharf, Louisiana Lagniappe, and Pompano Joe’s; Authentic New Orleans Sno-Balls from 32 Degrees Sno-Balls; Coconut Shrimp and Island Shrimp Creole from the Caribbean Café; Key Lime Pie from the Donut Hole; Crawfish Etoufee, Grouper St. Charles, and Fish Tacos from Kenny D’s New Orleans Cuisine; Caramel Apples and Fudge from Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge, & Ice Cream; Homemade Root Beer Floats from McGuire’s Irish Pub; Wood Fired Snapper and Crab Cakes from Trader Vic’s; and Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Frozen Mocha from Tropical Sno.

     Public parking for the event is available in several locations, including onsite parking in the Emerald Grande parking garage. Also, shuttles will be transporting festival goers to and from the Morgan Sports Complex behind City Hall, the Track Recreation Center along Highway 98, Grace Lutheran Church on Commons Drive, and the overflow parking lot east of the Bass Pro Shops in the Destin Commons shopping center.

     Shuttles will begin running 30 minutes before festival gates open and stop running 30 minutes after the festival closes each day. All of the parking lots will be available during these times, though Grace Lutheran Church requests that people not use its parking lot until after 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Festival hours are Friday, Oct. 3, from 4 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

     Admission for the festival is $5 per day or $10 for the entire 3-day weekend. Admissions may be purchased now at the Destin Area Chamber, located at 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A, at the entrance to Regatta Bay. Admissions will also be available for purchase at the festival gates.

     For a complete schedule of events and detailed festival information, please visit www.DestinSeafoodFestival.org or contact the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6241.