The popular Royal Palm Beach Seafood Festival returns next weekend to Royal Palm Beach Commons Park featuring a variety of fresh and delectable seafood dishes for purchase, such as fish, conch, lobster, shrimp, oysters, crabs and more, plus live music and activities for the youngsters.
The annual event, with free admission and free parking, runs Saturday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Look for more selections of fresh seafood this year, plus the new Raw Bar,” POTTC Events promoter Kathy Gilbert said.
Gilbert explained that this edition of the festival will have a significantly larger offering of seafood due to its timing in March and will have a large outdoor Raw Bar and lounge area, beer and libations, plenty of non-seafood selections as well, and several big-top shade tents for dining comfort.
“The timing allows for tying in with St. Patrick’s Day. On Sunday, while supplies last, the festival will be serving up green beer, corned beef and cabbage and shepherd’s pie, along with other traditional Irish foods,” Gilbert said. “That includes Ireland’s most famous band’s music with a tribute to U2.”
Music from three stages includes a mix of rock, reggae and funk from Spred the Dub, the Island and Caribbean sounds of Bamboo, energizing reggae from the band Sweet Justice and rock and party music by Jupiter Trailer Trash. Saturday’s headliner will be the Petty Hearts, a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Sunday features that U2 tribute band U2 by UV. Performance times are listed at www.royalpalmbeachseafoodfestival.com.
Pet-friendly and fun for the whole family, the event offers something for everyone, including shopping a bountiful array of unique and nautical-themed merchandise and an assortment of arts and crafts vendors. Kids will love burning off energy in the Little Fins Kids’ Zone with bounce houses, slides, interactive games and more.
“Wristbands are $10 and can be purchased onsite and are good for the kids to play all day,” Gilbert said.
Attendees of all ages will enjoy seeing pirate ships and perhaps chatting with a rogue pirate character or a real mermaid.
The festival provides support to the charity the Children’s Healing Institute, which is a leading source in South Florida for expertise in child abuse prevention and family crisis management. The institute partners, on a long-term basis, with at-risk families referred to them by schools, hospitals, police and other community agencies. Donations can be made at the main entrance and might include games and toys for parents and their children to use together for family night activities and to build relationships.
Royal Palm Beach Commons Park is located at 11600 Poinciana Blvd. For more information, visit the festival’s web site at www.royalpalmbeachseafoodfestival.com or call Gilbert of POTTC Events at (561) 792-9260.
