If it’s March, it must be time for the Original Marathon Seafood Festival!
For over four decades, this affordable foodie fair, which takes place on Saturday, March 12, and on Sunday, March 13, has celebrated the bounty of local anglers with gourmet delicacies from the waters of the Florida Keys.
The 15,000 pounds (yes fifteen THOUSAND pounds!) of fresh, succulent seafood served here is caught, cleaned, and cooked by local commercial fishermen who also prepare bushels of oysters and bags of clams from the west coast of Florida.
Scores of volunteers serve up generous plates during this “fisherman-to-fork” feast as local chefs showcase their talents using their Keys-based recipes. 
Of course, Florida spiny lobster, with beans, bread, butter, and coleslaw is a festival staple. Other favorite indigenous seafood includes mahi-mahi, Key West pink shrimp, stone crab claws, smoked fish dip, and much more.
Conch lovers get to have it every which way: as ceviche, chowder, golden-fried fritters, or as a bun-hugging “konkwurst” sausage.
There are many landlubber offerings, as well, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausages with sides of baked beans, coleslaw, hush puppies, and french fries.
Popular Keys entertainers rock the park’s giant amphitheater throughout the weekend, along with more than 200 vendor booths, rides, a Keys Artist Village, boat show, and fine art exhibition.
Head over on Saturday, March 12, from 10am – 9pm and on Sunday, March 13, from 11am – 5pm at Marathon Community Park, MM 49, Marathon. Info at 800-262-7284; marathonseafoodfestival.com.
