Florida is popular for its theme parks, beaches and relentless fun. It’s an artistic and exciting destination full of multiculturalism, Mickey Mouse and marigold coasts. But beyond all of this, Florida also holds many festivals throughout the whole of the year, with attractions for lovers of music, film, food, arts, bohemia and more.
The sunshine state is famous for its sumptuous flavours of the sea, and Florida Seafood Festival delivers it in abundant buckets. Every year, the event is full to the fins with crabs, shrimp, oysters and a whole load more, with tens of thousands of attendees chewing and chomping their way through tonnes of tasty fare. The festival also includes contests in crab racing, oyster eating and oyster shucking along with arts, games, activities and music. The highlight of the whole event is perhaps the fantastic festival carnival, with sideshows, rides, games and lots of family fun.
More food and drink can be found at The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which promises to offer the world’s best wines, spirits, chefs and food. Eat, drink and be merry in the culinary company of some of the biggest names in food production, such as Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri. It’s a tasty treat!
Tampa’s Gasparilla Music Festival is dedicated to everything aural, and features an eclectic combination of big names and upcoming acts over several different stages. Genres vary widely and wildly, and previous attendees have included names such as Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli and Savoy. The festival is uniquely a non-profit grassroots venture which seeks to influence and promote local and national arts. Many more music festivals in the region offer folk, blues, pop, rock and more, so there is a jingling genre for every music lover.
Gasparilla also plays host to Florida’s Pirate Fest, a one-day extravaganza of talking parrots, eye patches and wooden legs. The event celebrates the fictional legend of a Spanish pirate who performed his dastardly deeds in the state of Florida. The festival features parades, mock raids and theatrical events in playful mimicry of invasion and attack. The focus is on fun, play and adventure, and is great for every member of the clan. Just make sure you don’t walk the plank!