33rd Annual Sponge Docks Seafood Festival Set For Nov. 12-14

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — One of Tampa Bay's most popular seafood festivals returns for the 33rd year this weekend.

The annual Sponge Docks Seafood Festival will take place along Athens Street and the Sponge Docks along Dodecanese Boulevard in Tarpon Springs, offering seafood lovers a chance to try a variety of dishes prepared by seafood chefs from around the state and explore the works of more than 60 local and regional artists and craftsmen.

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The festival, attended by thousands of people each year, runs Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The free pet-friendly event will include live music featuring a variety of genres and vendors as well.

Seafood lovers can indulge in a variety of dishes from lobster tail to crab cakes.

Seafood vendors include:

• Real Cajun Cookin' from West Palm Beach serving up shrimp and chicken gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish etouffee.
• Hammerheads Catering offering Louisiana jambalaya, bouillabaisse, she crab soup and fried catfish and hush puppies and Cajun cole slaw.
• Laughing Crab Catering from Havre de Grace with its award-winning crab cakes.
• The Lobster Tank offering authentic Maine lobster rolls.
• Florida's Fine Food serving handmade crab cakes, coconut shrimp skewers, jambalaya, snow crab, étouffée, paella and catfish filets.
• Pearson's Cajun Foods, specializing in catfish and Cajun fries.

Vendors include Happy Dog Bakery, Florida Fish Mounts, Land Sea Original Acrylics, Orchid Cove Unique Gifts, Mountains & Mermaids, Reel Fishy Apparel, Reel Time Gear, Rosewood Art, Rustic Relics, The American Woodworker, Trendy toes, The Sewing Diva, ManOwar Fishing Co., Rhino Smash Sauce Co., Dave's Devil Powder, Carlos' Consuming Fire Hot Sauce and the Main Ingredient.

Attendees can enjoy free admission as well as free parking at the nearby Dog Splash Park at 508 Live Oak Street.