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Seafest still the place to get a grouper platter

The Hudson Seafest is back with more than 100 vendors, fun activities - and don't forget about the grouper platters.

HUDSON - Northwest Pasco County's largest festival, the Hudson Seafest, kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday and continues with entertainment, food, arts, crafts, special events and a carnival until 6 p.m. Sunday.

But before that, from 6 to 11 p.m. today, the carnival rides and midway will be open for those who want to get an early start. All-you-can-ride wristbands will be for sale.

The festival is at the grounds behind the USA Flea Market on U.S. 19. To reach it, go west at the U.S. 19 and State Road 52 intersection and follow the signs to the entrance. Admission is free, but there is a $3 parking fee. Seafest hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"This year is going to be super spectacular for Seafest," said Denise Isaacson, the event's publicist. "We have over 100 vendors this year. Someone even called from Israel (for a booth).

"We're having more awesome food, dessert, nuts, coffee. If they can make it, it'll be here," she said.

The centerpiece of the festival is the grouper platters, a heaping helping of fried grouper, hush puppies, cole slaw, baked beans and a roll for $8. Besides that, there will be barbecue and all kinds of festival foods.

The fest also has daily live entertainment, a fishing tournament and the Be a Star singing finals at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Friday's special event is a classic car cruise-in from 5 to 10 p.m. On Saturday, it's a bike and motorcycle show from 3 to 8 p.m.

Hudson Seafest started in 1985 as a small fish fry and has grown over the years to a full-fledged festival. Proceeds from the festival have been used to build sidewalks, put in streetlights, plant palm trees throughout Hudson and for school and youth groups.

The entertainment lineup is:

FRIDAY: FABULOUS FIFTIES

DOO-WOP AND ROCK

5-6 p.m.: Larry Bene

6:30-7:45 p.m.: The Mystics

8-10 p.m.: Late Night Brass

SATURDAY: ETHNIC

AND COUNTRY

11 a.m.: Be a Star Finals

1-2 p.m.: Absolutely Fabulous

2-3 p.m.: El Mariachi Invasor de Mexico

3-4:30 p.m.: Wiley Fox

4:30-6 p.m.: Dapper Dan Band

6-6:45 p.m.: Raffle and fishing tournament awards

6:45-7:45 p.m.: Jeff O'Kelley

8-10 p.m.: Tommy Cash's Tribute to Johnny Cash

SUNDAY: AMERICAN JAZZ

11 a.m.-noon: Victoria K

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Hudson Middle School Jazz Ensemble

2-4 p.m.: Bill White and the 42nd Street Band, Tribute to Satchmo