Pensacola Seafood Festival 2023: From restaurant rosters to parking - find the info here.
Get your lobster bib ready, the Pensacola Seafood Festival is gearing up to return Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.
The fan-favorite festival hosted by Fiesta Pensacola is celebrated annually with guests from near and far. The festival has put Pensacola on the map as one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Northwest Florida and for headlining award-winning artists such as Chris Stapleton, Moon Taxi and Brothers Osbourne.
Here’s everything you need to know to start planning your weekend.
When and where is Pensacola Seafood Festival?
The Pensacola Seafood Festival will take place in Seville Square, located at 301 S. Alcaniz St., during the last weekend of September. On Friday, the festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday, the festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday the festival will kick off at 11 a.m. and wrap up at 5 p.m.
Live entertainment will be held on the mainstage of Bartram Park with several concert times throughout each day. On Friday, there will be live entertainment at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. On Saturday, there will be live entertainment at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. On Sunday, there will be live entertainment at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Specific performing artists are scheduled to be announced next week on the Fiesta Pensacola social media pages and Pensacola Seafood Festival website.
What will be different about the festival this year?
Executive Director of Fiesta Pensacola Bridget Middleton said that the biggest change people will notice this year is a more curated food vendor selection as opposed to an overabundance of fair food.
“We have been recruiting more food trucks and less of the larger festival-food type vendors. More specialty seafood vendors,” Middleton said. “So that’s going to be a big difference this year than in the previous years.”
She said this will allow them to feature more food trucks and smaller restaurants to “showcase what they can do with seafood.”
Check out these photos from last year: Crowds enjoy crafts, food, and music during Pensacola Seafood Festival | PHOTOS
What kind of food can I expect?
The festival prides itself in its “seafood eats and other treats,” guaranteeing that even if you’re not a seafood fan, you won’t go hungry.
The event draws a variety of food trucks and carts that guarantee you’ll be able to try something new if you choose to but can also still fall back on a tried-and-true burger. This year, there will be about a dozen local restaurants in the “Gulf to Table” section and 12 to 15 vendors in the general food area.
Will there be local seafood options?
Yes! The separate “Gulf to Table” section of the event located in Fountain Park features well-renowned local Pensacola restaurants and caterers. Local chefs will be on standby, preparing tapas-sized portions of their best-selling signature dishes. Even though the “Gulf to Table” area is located a little off the path of the main vendor strip, you will want to make a special trip.
This year, local favorites will be making a return such as Flounder’s, Fisherman’s Corner, Fishing Hole, Café NOLA, Restaurant NOLA and Crabs on the Beach.
“For instance, when The Fish House has done it in the past, they do Grits a Ya Ya, but they do a small version of that,” Middleton said.
The Fiesta Seafood Grille area, sponsored by Pensacola Energy, also brings in local chefs for live cooking demonstrations. This year will feature chefs Ed Lordman of Southern Grit Culinary, Rusty Strain of A Rustyc Spoon, Keith Pardue of Pensacola Smokehouse and Daniel Watts of Classic City Catering among others.
Where do I park for the Pensacola Seafood Festival?
There is no designated parking for the festival aside from handicapped parking at the Port of Pensacola (700 South Barracks Street) after 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. All other parking will be available in the downtown area on a first-come, first-served basis. Different parking lots will vary in price, but the fees are unaffiliated with the Pensacola Seafood Festival or Fiesta Pensacola. Reference PNJ’s downtown parking guide to plan where you will be parking, how to pay your fee and how much it will likely cost you.
PNJ’s Pensacola parking guide: What you need to know about parking in downtown Pensacola
Will there be alcohol for sale at the event?
Yes. There will be various booths set up around the event to sell beer, wine and cocktails. The beer garden in Fountain Park will be the place to find craft beer, draft beers and bottled varieties. The Bartram Park booth near the entertainment area will serve as a more of a sports bar with full-service cocktails. Fiesta Pensacola will also have a specialty cocktail booth set up near Seville Quarter with their best-selling rum punch, mimosas and margaritas.
There will also be booths with Coca-Cola products and water available throughout the festival for purchase.
What kind of retail vendors will there be?
There will be over 150 vendors to choose from. For the arts and crafts category, 100% of the items for sale are handmade. Examples include handmade jewelry, pottery, art, soaps, woodcrafts, glassware and more. There will also be commercial vendors with brand-names such as LulaRoe, Pampered Chef and Scentsy.
Although most vendors accept cards and cash, ATMs will be available to use on-site.
Will there be VIP wristbands?
Yes. Fiesta Pensacola will be selling VIP wristbands closer to the actual event that allow for added amenities, such as an open bar and preferred seating. Follow along on their social media for updates on pricing and availability.
Can I bring my dog with me?
No, dogs are not permitted at the Pensacola Seafood Festival. Due to a city ordinance in the park, there are no pets allowed except for service dogs.
Can I bring a cooler?
No. Coolers are prohibited for the festival, as well as outside food and drinks.
What other events does Fiesta Pensacola host?
The Fiesta Pensacola nonprofit organization was formed to celebrate the founding of Pensacola, "America’s First Settlement," according to the Fiesta Pensacola website. The group hosts over 20 events a year with the help of its volunteers and sponsors. Some of the major events include the Pensacola Crawfish Festival, Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt and Fiesta Celebration.
Can I volunteer at the Pensacola Seafood Festival?
Yes! Fiesta Pensacola is still searching for volunteers to join their “Fiesta Forces.” You can either email [email protected] or join the free sign-up party from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 at 125 S. Alcaniz St.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Seafood Festival 2023: Here's everything we know so far
