CANCELED: MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL WON’T HAPPEN IN 2021

Organizers of the annual Original Marathon Seafood Festival have cancelled the event that was scheduled to take place in March 2021 due to coronavirus concerns. WEEKLY FILE PHOTO


The Original Marathon Seafood Festival, scheduled for the middle of March 2021, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, it is the third-largest event in the Florida Keys, behind Key West’s Fantasy Fest and the Upper Keys’ Gigantic Nautical Flea Market.

The event is put on by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and the Marathon chapter of Organized Fishermen of Florida (OFF).

“We were both hoping cases would be looking better by then, but that’s  just not the case, and with the planning and resources required to put on such a large  event, there is just too much at stake in terms of safety and resources,” said Chamber CEO Daniel Samess. “Many of our volunteers are over 60 years old and we would never want to put them or anyone at risk.” 

In a press release, the chamber said it has started planning a new and different event for the summer of 2021 that will include the same elements that make the seafood festival popular — food, live music, vendors and libations. Stay tuned to the Keys Weekly for details as they become available.

“We understand the economic impacts and value our event represents,” said Paul Lebo, who serves on the Marathon Chamber board and the OFF board of directors. “Additionally, it  allows both the Marathon Chamber and OFF to award over $30,000 in scholarships each year as well support local youth sports, the chamber’s continuing education grants, as well as supporting our local commercial fishing industry here in the Keys.” 

Lebo and Samess said the Original Marathon Seafood Festival will return in 2022. More information is at marathonseafoodfestival.com or floridakeysmarathon.com.