IN PICTURES: SEAFOOD FESTIVAL PACKS BAYVIEW PARK

By
Mandy Miles
-

Last weekend was too chilly and breezy boat trips, poolside drinks and beach days. But the weather turned out to be perfect for the 17th annual Key West Seafood Festival, a celebration of our local saltwater bounty presented by the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association.

Bayview Park was packed for both days of the festival, as dogs, kids, seafood lovers and shoppers perused the offerings.

Proceeds raised at the festival help the local industry’s scholarship program for children of commercial fishermen and women.

Shrimp, stone crab claws, lobster tails, fish dip and conch chowder headline the Key West Seafood Festival Jan. 14 and 15. The event also features dozens of vendor booths and two days of live music. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Shrimp, stone crab claws, lobster tails, fish dip and conch chowder headline the Key West Seafood Festival Jan. 14 and 15. The event also features dozens of vendor booths and two days of live music. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Shrimp, stone crab claws, lobster tails, fish dip and conch chowder headline the Key West Seafood Festival Jan. 14 and 15. The event also features dozens of vendor booths and two days of live music. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Shrimp, stone crab claws, lobster tails, fish dip and conch chowder headline the Key West Seafood Festival Jan. 14 and 15. The event also features dozens of vendor booths and two days of live music. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Shrimp, stone crab claws, lobster tails, fish dip and conch chowder headline the Key West Seafood Festival Jan. 14 and 15. The event also features dozens of vendor booths and two days of live music. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Shrimp, stone crab claws, lobster tails, fish dip and conch chowder headline the Key West Seafood Festival Jan. 14 and 15. The event also features dozens of vendor booths and two days of live music. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.

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