RUSKIN, Fla. — One year after hurricanes destroyed their entire office and left the community in tatters, organizers of the Ruskin Seafood Festival are celebrating resilience with an even bigger event and free admission for all attendees.
Building on last year’s success, the festival will once again offer no entry fee, and this year they’re also waiving the usual $2-per-car charge to enter E.G. Simmons Park, where the event is held.
Festival-goers can expect a full weekend of entertainment.
Over the course of two days, around 300 local musicians will perform across two stages. The grounds will also feature car shows both days, a dog “Bark Yard” for pet owners, 35 arts and crafts vendors, and of course, plenty of seafood and other local fare.
Melanie Davis, Executive Director of the Greater South Shore Chamber of Commerce, says the festival plays a major role in supporting local businesses by giving them face-to-face access to the community.
“Our small businesses… it is their opportunity to showcase what they have to the community,” Davis said. “You have new residents here, even older residents that have been here forever, [who] have no idea that these guys are right down the road and what they do. Whether they sell here or just make the connections and develop that trust… you know exactly where they are — you met them right down the road.”
The Ruskin Seafood Festival runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more details, visit Ruskin Seafood Festival.
Jason Lanning
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