Remembered as the “last big event” in Marathon before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world in 2020, the anticipation has never been greater for the return of the 46th Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Given that we all had to survive without the festival for two whole years, Keys Weekly caught up with a few of the folks responsible for putting the weekend together to ask about their fondest memories from one of Marathon’s most iconic events.
“I’d have to say my favorite part of the Seafood Festival is how it is such a fun locals’ weekend. The energy is great and everyone is just there to hang out and have a good time. I’m really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces since we moved away from the Keys in August. I’m still playing my same role in organizing the event, but doing it while traveling in our RV. I’m also looking forward to having my 1-year-old son Luke experience his first Marathon Seafood Festival!
-Jeanine D’Amico, Chamber of Commerce accounting and events manager
This is my fourth year in charge of Seafood Festival volunteers, and I’ve gotten to meet so many new people. My volunteers are so heartwarming. I am absolutely honored to have so many people who not only want to help our community, but love to find out how I’m doing as well. They certainly make me feel special!
– Erika Goodman, Chamber of Commerce Office Manager & Sales Coordinator
“This happened back at the Seafood Festival in 2002, during my first term as Marathon mayor. Clarence Clemons had been hanging around Marathon to fish with his buddy, Capt. Diego Cordova. Clarence was at the festival jamming with Jen and Diego; I’m pretty sure I played the festival that year as well. When we were introduced, Clarence said, ‘You’re the mayor? And a musician? This is a f*****g cool town!’ Clarence bought a house on Stirrup Key not long after that.”
-John Bartus, Marathon mayor & Seafood Festival musician
When I first came onto the scene as the Marathon Chamber CEO in 2007, I knew I had my work cut out for me. I had to prove myself to our event partners, the Organized Fishermen of Florida (OFF). Commercial fishing captains are no joke, and no one works harder and has more passion in their profession and industry. We had some titans serving on our seafood festival committee back then. The two patriarchs were Tommy Coppedge (R.I.P. Tommy) and Bennett Orr, who had been around since they founded the event back in 1976.
It must have been my third year with the chamber and the event. By then, the crew knew me well and we all had a great mutual respect and appreciation for one another. If you knew Bennett, you knew he always spoke his mind and didn’t mince words. One thing Bennett took great pride in was hanging his OFF sponsor banners around the community park prior to the festival each year. I also had a bunch of sponsor banners from chamber members to hang up as well, so I thought nothing of “relocating” a few of Bennett’s banners that year.
Later that day, Bennett walked up to me. He had that look and I already knew! He then proceeded to ream me out. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have wanted my daughters to hear what was being said. I stood there and took the verbal lashing, waiting for Bennett to get it all out. When he finished, I calmly asked, ‘Are you done? Can I talk now?’
He said, “Yeah, I’m f*****g done!” I then proceeded to tell him I was sorry for moving his banner, and after a pause for effect, I added, “I love you, Bennett. I can’t get mad at you, because I love you, man.”
Bennett then said to me, “Well, why the hell would you say that to me?” He literally had nothing else to say. The truth was, and is, that I do love Bennett. He has a heart of gold and cares so much about the Seafood Festival. When our conversation ended all was fine, but I got such a kick out of his reaction and response, and while my reply was meant to be a bit funny and diffuse the situation, I wasn’t lying.
The next year Bennett surprised me and put my newborn daughter’s name on the lobster boat that was on the 2012 event T-shirt. It was such an amazingly thoughtful gesture of him. So yeah, I f*****g love that guy!
-Daniel Samess, CEO of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, March 12
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 13
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$5 admission
(Kids 12 and under are free)
Parking
Stanley Switlik Elementary, 3400 Overseas Hwy. and neighboring lots (wherever else you can find it!)
Handicapped parking available inside the park
Food
Florida lobster · Stone crab · mahi-mahi · oysters · shrimp · conch fritters · crab cakes · smoked fish dip · conch salad · Cuban croquettes · burgers · hot dogs · sausages
Live Music
Saturday: Jade Storm · I-Land Vibe · Caribe · The Red Elvises · The Rock Show!
Sunday: Brian Roberts · The Lady A Blues Band · The Southern Blood Band
