Honeymoon Island's annual three-day event includes a boat show, live entertainment and displays on the state park's ecology.
By JULIANNE WU
Published November 28, 2003
DUNEDIN - If going shopping or taking in a movie isn't your cup of tea this weekend, there's another alternative: the Honeymoon Island Seafood Fest and Boat Show.
It runs today, Saturday and Sunday at the pristine and scenic Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, off of the Dunedin Causeway.
Lynn Wargo, president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, one of the event's sponsors, said there will be a variety of foods to please every palate provided by local restaurants. Seafood will be a mainstay, but there will be other things such as pizza and ice cream for sale, she said.
Family activities will include a climbing wall, bungee trampoline and a chance to pitch a baseball, courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays. Boating enthusiasts will be able to check out the latest in canoes, kayaks, fishing and pleasure boats. There will also be recreational vehicles on display.
An expanded feature of the festival, which is now in its fourth year, is Osprey Village. It is a special area dedicated to educating the community on the environmental treasures found in the park. It will include displays, presentations and guided walks on the Osprey Trail. On Saturday and Sunday, there will also be free fishing and nature seminars.
Live entertainment will round out the activities.
"The festival has always been on this weekend," said Wargo, "because there aren't a lot of other activities going on. Besides, it's a long weekend and a lot of people have other family members in town."
For the past two years, Wargo said, the three-day festival has averaged more than 35,000 people in attendance.
Main organizers of the festival besides the Chamber of Commerce are the Department of Environmental Protection, Honeymoon Island State Park and the Friends of the Island Parks. The event is supported by a number of local businesses and other sponsors.
If you go
The Honeymoon Island Seafood Fest and Boat Show is this weekend. Hours are 3-10 p.m., today; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Honeymoon Island State Park is located west of Dunedin Causeway, Alt. 19 and Curlew Road. Parking and admission to the festival is $5 per car until 5 p.m.; $10 per car after that. For information, call (727) 733-3197. For complete directions, visit seafoodfestival.net.
Entertainment schedule
Today: 5 p.m., the De Lei'ed Parrots; 6:45 p.m., the Dukes of Juke; 8:30 p.m., Pocket Change
Saturday: 10 a.m., Calypso Sound; 12:30 p.m., Lounge Cat; 3 p.m., Impulse; 5:30 p.m., the Lee Boys and 8 p.m., It's A Beautiful Day
Sunday: 10 a.m., Calypso Sound; 12:30 p.m., Drew Street Mary and 3 p.m., Dan O'Brien and the Groupers.
