Seafood lovers, get your appetites ready for the 12th annual Deering Seafood Festival, one of South Florida’s premier events, taking place on Sunday, Mar. 20, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., on the grounds of the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Palmetto Bay.
Join your friends and the thousands of other neighbors and visitors clamoring to enjoy a day filled with culinary delights and non-stop entertainment.
A celebration renown for delicious catches from the sea, celebrity chefs and fun-filled adventures for the kids, the festival features Florida’s freshest fish and seafood, with area restaurants and caterers providing sumptuous delights along Seafood Alley presented by Golden Rule Seafood. Participants include Asian Fusion, Devon Seafood + Steak, Fancy Loaf, Incredible Fish, Paella Party, Rodbenders, Sports Grill and Whole Foods Market.
Over two tons of ice keeps the thirst-quenching backyard beverages presented by Landshark Lager ice cold and the frozen drink machines humming all day.
Acclaimed chefs from some of South Florida’s finest restaurants host cooking demonstrations throughout the day in the center courtyard under the big-top tent, presented by Whole Foods Market, while Crown Wine Spirits & Gourmet presents seminars on pairing wine with fish and seafood in Charles Deering’s Prohibition Era Wine Cellar in the historic Stone House.
While Florida’s freshest fish and seafood always are the main event, continuous entertainment presented by Palmetto Ford includes Virgin Island stilt walkers, Bahamian Junkanoo musical parades and live Caribbean musical performances throughout the estate.
Named by BizBash magazine as one of the Top Five Food and Industry events in the Southeast U.S., the Deering Seafood Festival offers activities for children of all ages. The Estate’s Educational and Interpretive staff operates Deering Discovery Cove, where kids can experiment and explore.
For the less intrepid, the Li’l Shrimp Kids Zone will provide fun for the younger ones, with unlimited play on inflatables, creative activities, healthy tastings and a kid-friendly menu when hunger strikes.
Ongoing activities include a rock climbing wall and the Pelican Skipper pontoon boat rides to Chicken Key. Enjoy free tours of the estate, including self-guided tours, the Nature Tour and a stroll down Artist Lane, featuring unique creations by local artisans.
For those wishing to pedal to the festival, a courtesy bike valet is offered through Green Mobility Network. Free park and ride also is available at satellite locations with continuous shuttle-bus service to the estate.
Admission is adults, $15 in advance online and $25 the day of the event; children ages 4-14, $5. Deering Estate Foundation members enjoy complimentary admission. Ticket includes park entrance and all activities, excluding food, drink, pontoon rides and rock wall. Proceeds from the event benefit the foundation and are used for preservation and programming.
For more information, visit www.deeringestate.com/seafood-festival, or call 305-235-1668, ext. 263.
