Destin Seafood Festival

It was a big weekend in Destin with the Seafood Festival taking place from Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon. This has become the biggest event of the year in Destin. It is free and runs the length of the boardwalk which is about a mile long. Probably close to 80,000 people show up for the event.

The charter boat association took over the planning of the event a few years ago and it has been growing ever since. The biggest thing they did was do away with a fee to enter and they went away from big name musical acts and instead concentrated on local talent. The only exception to this was our friends with Southern Drawl Band who were invited back to headline the Friday night show.

Sunshine Cindy and I headed down to the harbor about 3:00 Friday afternoon. We took Uber for the first time and we loved it. This is the way of the future. No parking hassles and I could have a few beers without worrying about driving home.

On the harbor our first stop was at Crab Island Cantina. A new bartender, Bobby was learning the ropes as the more experienced staff was gearing up for the long weekend. We talked to some tourist folks as we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon. Next stop was at Harry T’s. Red, Mike, Susan were all working. Lou came by and gave us hug. Cajun Mike and Terry stopped in for a drink. The harbor was starting to get busy.

We headed to Hooks as Rob Romans was playing. While there we ran into Jim and Marcy. I hung out with Jim at Landshark the previous Sunday watching the Browns game as they are from Cleveland. While at Hooks Scott stopped there then Tony also stopped there. Rob was doing a good job getting the early crowd going. Off to Tailfins we went. Julie joined us there. The crowds were really getting bigger now on the harbor. I decided to head to Landshark for a pizza but Julie and Sunshine Cindy stayed at Tailfins.

By the time I got back to Tailfins Ronnie was playing and you could hardly move on the harbor. It was time for us to head to the big stage as the Southern Drawl Band bus was pulling in. They had to wait as a car had the entrance blocked and when they went to move it the keys got locked in. After a locksmith was called they got unloaded. Then a Parrot Head lady fell and was hurt bad. They had to get the firetruck and paramedics down to her. She is in the hospital with several broken bones but should be fine when she heals up.

That also delayed the show too but they went on stage about 9 and had a huge crowd rocking to their music. These guys are fantastic. Look them up and catch them when they come to your town. You will not be disappointed.

After their show we hung out with the band for a while then Sunshine Cindy and I walked across the street to Waffle House for a late night greasy food fix. Steve, Becky, Judy and Kelly were there already. It was a good time. When we left and as we waited for our Uber driver there were blue lights and cop cars going different directions. I’m not sure of all that happened but we heard there was a car on its side by the Red Door Saloon. Yep, I’m glad I was not driving.

Saturday we relaxed around the house watching football and hockey. The Tennessee / Georgia game was one for the ages. TN was winning, GA scored with 10 seconds left, TN hit a Hail Mary to win the game as time ran out. Wow.

Sunday I went to O’Quigley’s to watch the Browns game. They lost again but it was another game they could have won. One or two breaks and maybe a couple more good players and we are right there! lol  I met another couple down from Cleveland on vacation sitting behind me. We talked about how one of these days the Browns will get it going again.

Earlier in the week on Wednesday Sunshine Cindy and I went to LuLu’s. Our friend from Port Charlotte Paul Roush was performing there. Mark, Stephanie, Wayne and Karen all came out too. It was a fun evening with everyone.

Down on the Island The Gulf opened this weekend. I heard the place is really nice. We will check it out soon. There is also a lot of construction taking place next to the Elks Lodge. They are building a marina that will have 144 deep water slips. They also plan to build a restaurant and a ship store. Down the road plans call for a resort hotel to build there.
Thursday night several of our friends went to AJ’s on the Bayou to hear BT perform. They had a good time. AJ’s has announced they will be opening another location. This time they are going to the 30A area and will take over the old Pandora’s Steakhouse in Grayton Beach. They expect to be open in the spring of 2017. AJ’s continues to grow!

The weather continues to be perfect in Destin. The fishing rodeo is in full swing. Come to Destin and “Embrace the Chaos” with us! See ya next Monday!

Destin Steve