GUIDE TO MOUNT DORA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ON SEPT. 28 & 29

9/1/2019

Devour some shrimp off the barbie or a bowl of chilled conch chowder. Mount Dora’s fifth annual Seafood Festival takes place on downtown’s waterfront on September 28 and 29. This year the festival (see video) will extend from Simpson Cove near the lighthouse to Mount Dora Marina. Here's your guide to the many free activities happening:

PIRATE PARTY

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
There is tons of fun for adult scalawags at the festive Pirate Party at Magical Meat Boutique, an authentic British pub located downtown at 112 W. Third Avenue. The talented David Olive Willis and his pirate band will be playing starting at 7 p.m.

festival attractions

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 28-29
The free, pirate-themed festival boasts a treasure trove of seafood vendors, over 100 craft vendors, live music, games, a pirate village and more.

Seafood lovers can graze on a variety of fresh seafood dishes including a shrimp boil, lobster rolls, cajun gumbo, grouper, sushi poke bowls, crab cakes, plus jambalaya, jelly fish salad, frog legs, fish and chips and more. To satisfy festival-goers' sweet cravings there will be crepes, ice cream, funnel cakes, gelato pops, bubble tea and more tasty treats.

PIRATE VILLAGE

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 28-29
This interactive area includes the Panama Pearl Pirate Ship for kids to explore, Blackbeard's Pirate Show, a shark ride and Captain Jack Sparrow roaming the lakefront.

In nearby areas of the festival, kids can also enjoy a bounce house, facepainting, snowcone hamster wheel, and games.

PIRATE KARAOKE

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
Show off your chops or just enjoy great cocktails in the lively bar at Las Palmas Cuban Restaurant downtown on the corner of 4th Avenue & Donnelly Street from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

REGGAE CONCERT

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
'Don't worry about ting,' just enjoy a free concert on the lakefront at Simpson Cove featuring THC from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

OYSTER SHUCKING CONTEST

SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
Shuckers can test their skills during the Central Florida Oyster Shucking Contest at 2 p.m. on the stage at Simpson Cove.

parking & location

To help meet the challenges of downtown parking, shuttles to the festival will be available at Mount Dora Plaza on Old U.S. Highway 441 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

You can find more local events on the area's entertainment calendar here. For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.