Florida Scallop and Music Festival

Florida Scallop & Music Festival
Scallops, more than just a pretty shell. Photo by Green Olive Media, LLC

Good scallops are one of those summer time staples, and there’s this awesome festival happening this August, giving you a great opportunity to do some scallop tourism.

The 14th Annual Florida Scallop & Music Festival is hosted by the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce, offering up the best of the Port St. Joe area.  Formerly known as the St. Joseph Bay Scallop Festival, the weekend celebrates the best of the Gulf Region and Florida’s “Forgotten Coast,” the less traveled side of the Floridian peninsula.

From Friday August 6th to Sunday, August 8th the Waterfront at Shipyard Cove will be stuffed with local arts and crafts, live music, and of course lots and lots of scallops. And best yet, since everything is home grown and local businesses are encouraged, it’s a pretty affordable way to check out the Port St. Joe.

The festivities begin on Friday with an all day merchant sidewalk sale, complete with local vendors and artists showing off their best work.  Quite a few award winning chefs will also showcase their talents in the Patron Dinner, including  Chef Louis Osteen of Nashville (his restaurants include Watermark, Miro District, and the upcoming The Blind Pig No. 55), Chef Todd Richards of Atlanta’s Rolling Bones Premium Pit BBQ, Chef Jason Alley of Comfort Restaurant in Richmond, VA, and Chef Martha Foose, author of  Screen Doors and Sweet Tea.

The party heats up on Saturday with the traditional opening ceremonies. Scallop vendors will line the streets to serve the hungry patrons. Craft stalls will still be in place for your perusal as well. And of course the live musical stylings of Amanda Shaw, Bo Spring Band, Eric Lindell, and The Tams and Treme Brass Band will start up for your listening pleasure. The festivities continue through til Sunday evening.

The Florida Scallop Festival promises fun for the whole family. Admission for children ages 10 and younger is free, as is for those 65 years and older and military personnel with valid I.D. General admission is a pretty good deal,  $5.00 per person on Saturday, and $5.00 per person on Sunday. Check out the website for more details and info as it comes.