Everglades City
by Dallas Wauters
Wow, what a weekend! Our community came together in the best way possible, and this year’s festival was nothing short of amazing. Hosted by the Florida Stone Crabbers Association, the event drew visitors from near and far to celebrate the best of Everglades City.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Friday night, the first day of the three-day event, an epic drone show by LunaLite Drone Show Technologies lit up the night sky, stopping everyone in their tracks. Seriously, you could hear the collective “whoa” as festival-goers looked up in awe. A huge thank you to Everglades Isle, a major sponsor, for helping make this unforgettable moment happen.
Photo by Dallas Wauters
But that was just the beginning. This festival had something for everyone. For the kids there were rides and games galore. For the adults the marketplace was packed with insanely talented artisans from all over the country. There were booths full of handcrafted jewelry that shimmered under the festival lights, stunning wood-carved masterpieces, and racks of one-of-a-kind clothing designs. And let’s not forget the food—oh man, the food! Local vendors brought their A-game, serving up everything from gourmet street eats to small-batch hot sauces and craft drink mixers that had people coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
And if you thought the festival was just about shopping and eating, think again. The live music lineup was on point, setting the perfect vibe as people wandered the grounds, soaking in the energy. For those looking for a different perspective—literally—there was a two-story bar on wheels offering a killer view of all the action.
When the main festivities wrapped up, the party was far from over. The Gator Hole became the spot to be, keeping the fun going late into the night. Whether you were a local or visiting from out of town, this after-hours hangout turned into a place where stories were shared, laughter filled the air, and new friendships were made.
Beyond the fun, this festival made a huge impact. Our Daily Bread food pantry collected over 3,000 lbs of food and $3,000 in donations on Friday night alone, ensuring local families in need will receive essential support. The festival also played a role in shaping young lives—seniors who volunteered will be heading on a cruise to the Bahamas in March for their senior trip, fully funded by the festival.
And that’s just a small piece of what this event does for our community. The Everglades Seafood Festival has given back over $150,000 in the last three years, supporting hurricane victims with gift cards and supplies, funding trade scholarships, summer sports camps, church camp, food banks, animal shelters, school supplies, teacher supplies, Christmas toy drives, breast cancer awareness, and so much more.
This year’s festival layout made things super easy to navigate, with plenty of space to chill and take in the atmosphere. Huge props to the organizers for making everything flow so smoothly! It’s events like these that remind us why we love our community so much, and it’s awesome to see people from all over coming to experience it with us.
Whether you came for the jaw-dropping drone show, the incredible art, or the non-stop live music, this festival proved once again why it’s a favorite tradition. A massive thank you to everyone who made it happen. We’re already counting down the days until next year. See you then!
Photo by Mayberry Media & Photography
Photos by Mayberry Media & Photography
Photos by Dallas Wauters
