Get ready for 20,000 pounds of crawfish. The Pensacola Crawfish Festival is bigger in 2023.
Crawfish will soon take center stage at Seville Square, and Fiesta Pensacola couldn’t be more ready.
Teaming up with entertainment sponsor The First Bank, children’s area sponsor COX, and a host of event sponsors, the 38th annual Pensacola Crawfish Festival will take place over the course of three days — making it a fun filled weekend for all April 28-30.
“It’s honestly been great receiving so much support,” Fiesta Pensacola Director of Events Margaret-Anne West said. “We’re expecting a full blown event with arts and crafts, vendors, and live music.”
Of course, there will be crawfish, and lots of it.
“Twenty thousand pounds, to be exact, from Cordova Crawfish Company,” West said. “It’s the most we’ve ever had, but you still have to come early. Last year, we had 19,500 pounds and we ran out with only two hours of the festival to go.”
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If you think you have what it takes to devour these boiled critters in record time, be sure to enter Cat Country 98.7’s Crawfish Eating Contest. Those interested can compete in three categories — kids, adults and crawdaddy. The contests will be held all three days, with registration opening up 30 minutes before the competition.
“It’s always fun to watch,” West said. “Kids can enter free, and it’s $5 for adults and $10 for crawdaddy.”
For the foodie who wants to try a little bit of everything, you’re in luck. Food trucks will be serving snacks and items such as deep fried Oreos, funnel cakes, po' boys, gumbo and jambalaya. Pensacola Bay Brewery will hope you’ll consider responsibly washing it all down with its exclusive Fiesta Daze Lager.
There will also be opportunities to give back to the community.
“We are excited to partner with the Leadership Pensacola Class of 2023 for a Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive, in support of their class projects benefitting Feeding the Gulf Coast and the Children's Home Society of Florida,” West said. “We are asking all event attendees that are willing and able to donate, to bring a jar of peanut butter or jelly to the festival. There will be multiple donation sites at the event.”
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6 to 12, and free admission for children 5 and under. On Friday, admission will be free with your military ID. Gates are located on Government Street across from Hub Stacey's and Zaragoza Street across from Pensacola Bay Brewery.
Parking at privately owned businesses downtown will have varying fees, depending on which lot you choose to park. Handicapped parking will be available all three days in the Bartram Park parking lot, and you’ll be required to provide a permit.
For more information, visit www.fiestapensacola.org/crawfish-festival or call 850-433-6512.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Crawfish Festival 2023 is bringing 20,000 pounds of mudbugs
