Everglades Seafood Festival to Be Rockin’ Good Time

Each year for more than 50 years, tens of thousands of people descend upon the fishing village turned tourist attraction of Everglades City to enjoy the seafood and sounds of the area.  

This year, the 55th Annual Everglades Seafood Festival is set to be another big draw to the three-day celebration February 7-9, hosted for the fourth year by the Florida Stone Crabbers Association.  

The Stone Crabbers Association is led by Carrie Doxsee, Holly Dudley, and Kelly Kirk. All three women have long family ties to the fishing and stone crab industry. 

It’s not just a big party with good food and Glades culture, it’s also for a good cause, said Doxsee.  

“We have made the event a charitable cause by taking our proceeds and giving back to the community and those in need,” said Doxsee. 

This includes donations to Everglades City School and area nonprofits. Friday’s entry to the Seafood Fest is a suggested donation of nonperishable food that will be distributed by Our Daily Bread Food Pantry of Marco Island.  

Everglades City is known for rebuilding and regrouping after being struck hard by hurricanes, and the Seafood Festival helps other communities recovering to do the same. 

"We also give back to other commercial fishing communities for hurricane relief. We have been able to purchase drywall, insulation, appliances, and whatever other materials are needed for communities hit hard by the hurricanes,” said Doxsee. 

Festival goers can feel good that they’re also doing good for others, said Dudley, who co-leads the nonprofit Association.  

The Festival is emceed by musician Gator Nate Augustus, who grew up in the Everglades as Nate Martin. He described the event as a big reunion.  

He’s joined by a lineup of nearly 20 performers coming to the stage over the three days, including fellow Gladesman Jack Shealy and nationally renowned headliners Whey Jennings on Friday night, Confederate Railroad on Saturday night, and Sweet Fleet Band, for lovers of the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, on Sunday night. Festival goers will be among the first to hear of Shealy’s first album, “1059,” which debuted just a week or so prior to the Festival. Jack Shealy Band plays 1:30 PM Sunday.  

“My show is very specific to the Everglades,” said Gator Nate, known for his characteristically deep singing voice. 

“Lots of my songs are story songs about the Everglades,” he said. 

He’ll weave some extra tales into the event as emcee and plays 3:45 PM Saturday. Musicians and bands also include Charlie Pace, Gabriel Key, Sam Low, Jake Hair Band, Jaden Decker, Florida Straits, Wes Shipp, Pure Country, Aydin Holt, Jon Prestige, Pickle Money, Rock Republic and others.  

Also integral to the culture of the area are its first inhabitants. A crowd favorite is fry bread made onsite by Betty Osceola, who embodies the culture of the area with family from the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Seminole Tribe, and Scottish Gladesmen. She operates Buffalo Tiger Airboats and advocates for the environment.  

“We have also been successful in advocating for our commercial fishing industries. We are a dying breed, and we advocate with education and increasing awareness,” said Doxsee. 

Highlights include a drone light show Friday night by LunaLight Drone Show, which tells stories in the sky with fantastic designs that further highlight the culture of Everglades City and the surrounding area - such as crabs, alligators and the Skunkape - the smaller Big Foot of Florida. 

Carnival rides and crafts are also part of the festivities.  

Kirk enjoyed testing the merchandise launcher to ensure plenty of t-shirts and other swag can be effectively tossed to the crowd by Gator Nate. 

To get a bird’s eye view of the area, people with wristbands for rides can use them to climb the 75-foot Ernest Hamilton Observation Tower, 905 Copeland Avenue South.  

Entry is a suggested minimum donation of $10 Saturday and Sunday and no cost for children age 17 and younger. The cash-only event will have ATMs on site. 

Festival gates are open 4:30 PM– 10:00 PM Friday, February 7; 10:00 AM– 10:00 PM Saturday, February 8; and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday, February 9, allowing some people to attend and still watch the Super Bowl afterward. Event details and full schedule are available on evergladesseafoodfestival.org.