Just because summer is winding down, doesn't mean your days at the beach have to end. Get out your travel planner and let's take a trip. Here's a peak at some of the fun waiting for you. Music, wine, games, sandcastle competitions, fishing tournaments, shucking contests, arts and crafts, and, oh yes.seafood. Stretching from coast to coast, these 10 seafood festivals are sure to have something for everyone to enjoy.
In the next few months, you can travel to festivals celebrating everything from lobster to oyster shucking. Among this year's list of favorites are the more well known, including the Maine Seafood Festival and the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, both celebrating 20 years. The more obscure of the bunch include the fourth annual Oyster Spat Festival in St. George Island, Florida and the LandShark Seafood and Music Festival in its debut year in San Padre Island, Texas. Start packing and we'll see you there!
Maine Seafood Festival
July 29 - Aug. 2
http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com
Looking for one last "official" summer escapade? With a view of Penobscot Bay, the annual Maine Seafood Festival is the best way to sample and enjoy over 20,000 pounds of luscious lobster. Of course, sharing the spotlight, is an array of other local delicacies including steamed and fried clams, fried Maine shrimp, shrimp cocktail, and steamed mussels - all prepared in the traditional Maine style. Just in case you're looking for more than food, you can also watch the coronation of the 2009 Maine Seafood Goddess, watch the world-famous Maine lobster crate race, participate in the annual 10K race, or sit on the sidelines and enjoy Maine's "Big Parade" of boats and floats down Rockland's Main Street. What's not to enjoy about this very traditional lobster fest?
Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival - Myrtle Beach, SC
Sept. 4 & 5
http://www.sunfunfestival.com/beachboogiebbq
Normally, we may be tempted to scoff at a coastal festival that doesn't even have the word "seafood" in its title. That's not the case for this annual Myrtle Beach favorite. The South Carolina coast wouldn't be the same without its annual Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival which is home to the state's official barbeque championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-Off. Throw in live music from The Tams, wakeboard demonstrations, and a beach-side car and truck show, and you've got a great festival. And, don't worry, there's plenty of seafood to be had along all the ribs and barbecued chicken.
Maryland Seafood Festival
Sept. 11, 12, 13
http://www.mdseafoodfestival.com
After taking a hiatus last year, the 2009 Maryland Seafood Festival is back by popular demand. Celebrating its 42nd year, the festival is also home to The Capital's Crab Soup Cook-off. This is a smaller event, expected to draw close to 20,000 seafood fans to Sandy Point State Park, along the Maryland coast and just north of Washington, D.C. The traditional seafood fare and lively entertainment make this a good reason to drive up (or down) the coast for some tasty Maryland crabs and a bit of family fun!
Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
Sept. 11, 12, 13
http://www.hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com
The Hamptons may be best known for its reputation as a celebrity summer-get-away, but for 20 years, Hampton Beach has celebrated the weekend after Labor Day with a real, down-home seafood festival. Voted one of the top events in the U.S., it features traditional fare from more than 50 coastal favorite restaurants including lobsters, fried clams, and shrimp. Dozens of arts and crafts booths will be on hand for your perusal, along with a range of musical entertainment that spans everything from jazz to rock. We can't neglect to mention there nightly fireworks display or the skydiving demonstration that will feature 14,000-feet jumps into the center of Hampton Beach. Don't miss this spectacular seafood festival.
Schooners. Lobster Festival and Tournament in Panama City Beach, FL
Sept. 18, 19, 20
http://www.schooners.com/entertainment/event/lobsterfest.htm
Who says Maine is the only place for lobster? After 20 years, fans of the Schooners' Annual LobsterFest know this delectable treat from the seas is something worth diving for! The three-day festival and tournament in Panama City Beach showcases the huge, local lobsters found in the Florida Panhandle. The event draws thousands of lobster fans and divers who compete in a variety of categories including Spiny Lobster, Shovelnose Lobster and Big 6. The festival also includes the Schooners' Sand Sculpting contest, now in its 11th year, and will include demonstrations from SandingOvations, World Champion gold medalists in sand-sculpting.
Landshark Seafood & Music Festival in South Padre Island, TX
Sept. 18 & 19
http://www.southpadreseafoodandmusicfest.com
If you're looking for one heck of a celebration to bid adieu to summer, then look no further than the LandShark Seafood & Music Festival. Beautiful South Padre Island, Texas is home to this debut event, which benefits Sea Turtle, Inc., a local non-profit that protects endangered sea turtles. With all activities within easy walking distance to the island's shoreline, this is truly a beach-lover's festival. The music lineup consists of an impressive list of Texas favorites from Kevin Fowler and Ryan Bingham to Bowling For Soup and Vallejo. Rounding out the fun is exhibits from an array of coastal artists, a kids. village, celebrity chef exhibitions, and a fishing tournament to be aired on Fox Sports. Tickets start at $20 per day, or $40 for a weekend pass and kids under 8 are admitted free.
North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City, NC
Oct. 2, 3, 4
http://www.ncseafoodfestival.org
In Morehead, seafood is serious - and charitable - business. The annual North Carolina Seafood Festival has donated over $1.8 million to the city's local charities since its origin 22 years ago. In addition to the Festival's mission of educating the public about the local seafood industry and its importance to North Carolina, it also offers a simply good time. Visitors to this waterfront event will be moved by the unique, and emotional "Blessing of the Fleet" which recognizes the sacrifice and commitment that commercial fishermen and their families make in support of the seafood industry. With the weekend officially blessed, visitors can visit each of four stages set up for music and entertainment. A family-friendly area is available with kids. activities, while the "Oyster Rock Pub" offers wine and beer. Sporting events and a boat show are included in the annual line-up, as well. As with all things festival, the highlight is definitely the food and festival organizers promise, 'From traditional "Down east" clam chowder, shrimp burgers and charcoal mullet to sea urchin on-a-stick, calamari and marinated eel.you won't go away hungry..
Oyster Fest and Washington State Seafood Festival
Oct. 3 & 4
http://www.oysterfest.org
The Pacific Rim Oyster Shucking Contests are the centerpiece of this festival and include Open Speed & Half-Shell Oyster contests. Fans of this Washington State event aren't afraid to compete, with both pros and amateurs welcome. For those not shucking oysters, there is also the Art and Photography competition and the much-anticipated Seafood Cook-Off. Free entertainment is scheduled all weekend with wine and beer tastings provided by several Washington State wineries and microbreweries. For those who may want to fly into Shelton, WA for the festival, a nearby airstrip is within walking distance. So fly over and get shucking.
Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival
Oct. 9, 10, 11
http://www.panamacitybeachfest.com
It doesn't get much more festive than this annual beach fest. Once again, Panama City is opening its beaches for the annual Seafood, Wine and Music Festival. Sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to Styx, Grand Funk Railroad, John Anderson and Juliann Hough, fresh off her appearance on "Dancing with the Stars". Not to mention, the daily wine tastings from local and national vineyards and celebrity chef exhibitions of traditional and nouveau seafood dishes. Saturday and Sunday afternoons include special activities for families from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Book early and save on advanced tickets, including weekend and VIP passes.
Oyster Spat Festival in St. George Island, FL
Oct. 9 & 10
http://www.oysterspat.com
Fried, raw or thrown into a stew, you can't go wrong with oysters from Apalachicola Bay. That's why St. George, a barrier reef island in the Florida Panhandle, is hosting a tribute to the baby oyster. The 4th annual Oyster Spat Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating the oyster's life from spawn to shell. Make plans to take part in this year's 5K Race and island Treasure Hunt, and then enjoy the laid-back island sound of Jim Morris and eat plenty of oysters!
