In just two more days, it’s time for a weekend of seafood, music and friends – plus a few beers – at the 48th Original Marathon Seafood Festival, set to pack the Marathon Community Park with locals and visitors alike this Saturday and Sunday.
Volunteers and sponsors, along with those who prepare the time-tested recipes with the bounty from the sea, are the lifeblood of the festival each year. And just as important as the food on the plates is the “recipe” perfected by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and Organized Fishermen of Florida for nearly half a century: ice-cold drinks, some of the best live music from South Florida to Key West, a plethora of vendors as diverse as they are talented, and a chance to celebrate our community with an event that puts Marathon on the map for travelers far and wide.
As always, visitors should eat, drink and be merry guilt-free – it’s all for a good cause, as proceeds from the festival go to fund education programs and scholarships given to MHS seniors by the Chamber and O.F.F.
So pull up a chair, drink up, chow down. We can’t wait to see you at the festival.
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THE DETAILS:
Saturday, March 9
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 10
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
@ Marathon Community Park
$5 admission. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Admission is free on Sunday for those who present a military ID.
Parking
Stanley Switlik Elementary, 3400 Overseas Hwy. and neighboring lots wherever you can find it!
Handicapped parking available inside the park. Free parking is also available at the old Kmart parking lot at 5561 Overseas Hwy., with transportation to the festival provided by Island Trolley Tours. $5 per person buys an all-day pass on the trolley.
THE FOOD
Florida lobster · stone crab · mahi-mahi · oysters · shrimp · conch fritters · crab cakes · smoked fish dip · conch salad · lobster cakes · burgers · hot dogs · sausages
THE MUSIC
Saturday: John Bartus & Adrienne Z, 11 a.m. · The Lady A Blues Band, 1 p.m. · I-Land Vibe, 3 p.m. · The Marshall Morlock Band, 5 p.m. · The Red Elvises, 7 p.m.
Sunday: Brian Roberts, 11 a.m. · AJ & Southern Stampede, 1 p.m. · Havoc 305, 3 p.m.
EYES TO THE SKY
Saturday patrons at the Fest will get an extra treat, as two U.S. Navy F-5N Tiger II jets from Fighter Squadron Composite VFC-111, known as the “Sun Downers,” are to perform a flyover at 1 p.m. VFC-111 is the Navy’s premier adversary squadron based at Naval Air Station Key West on Boca Chica Key.
REMEMBERING BENNETT
Around the time of the Sun Downers’ flyover on Saturday, festival organizers will pay tribute to Bennett Orr, local legend and one of the driving forces behind the inception of the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Learn more about Orr and his impact on Marathon, in the words of those who knew him best, in this year’s official Seafood Festival guide.
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