Everglades City
by Denise Wauters
It’s officially festival time — the 56th Annual Everglades Seafood Festival is happening this weekend, and the streets around the Circle in Everglades City are about to come alive. For three packed days, the heart of town turns into a full-blown celebration of seafood, music, community, and good old Everglades-style fun.
Expect the sights, sounds, and smells everyone waits for all year: seafood stands working nonstop, vendors lining the streets, cold drinks flowing, kids laughing on rides, and live music echoing through town. This is one of those weekends where you don’t rush — you wander, you snack, you stop to listen, and you run into just about everyone you know.
Friday: Kicking Things Off, Everglades Style
Friday afternoon opens with the National Anthem performed by Maddy Brenner, followed by the Everglades City School cheerleaders, bringing hometown spirit front and center.
From there, local and regional musicians set the rhythm for the night as the crowd grows and the streets around the Circle settle into full festival mode. As night falls, attention turns to the Drone Light Show, one of the weekend’s most anticipated moments.
The energy stays high with Fortunate Son, a crowd-pleasing Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band delivering that swampy, roots-rock sound that feels tailor-made for Everglades City.
Local note: In past years, Friday admission for locals has included entry with a canned food donation. Check gate details when you arrive to confirm this year’s setup.
Saturday: The Full Festival Experience
Saturday is when everything comes together. The Circle is packed with kids’ rides, arts and crafts vendors, seafood booths, cold drinks, and nonstop live music. It’s a full-day, take-your-time kind of festival — bring the family, meet friends, and let the day unfold.
As evening approaches, the anticipation builds for Tyler Farr, Saturday night’s headliner. Known for his high-energy performances and chart-topping country hits, Farr is set to deliver one of the weekend’s biggest moments. (More on Tyler as soon as his official festival content is released.)
Sunday’s Big Finish
Sunday brings another full slate of music and keeps the festival spirit rolling right through the afternoon. Local favorites and returning crowd-pleasers take the stage, leading into a finale that’s anything but low-key.
Wrapping up the 56th Everglades Seafood Festival is MeetLoaf, a high-energy Meat Loaf tribute band known for big vocals, theatrical flair, and songs that fill the streets as people sing along.
Friday
Charlie Pace emcee
4:00- 4:30 Opening
US41 radio
National Anthem Maddy Benner
4:30-4:45 Everglades City School cheerleaders
5:00-6:00 Aydin Holt
6:15-7:15 Big Cypress Band
7:15 -DRONE show
7:30-8:30 Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater tribute)
9:00-10:30 Moonstone Riders
Saturday
Gator Nate Emcee
10-10:45 Opening Ceremony
10:55 National Anthem Mary Jo O’Regan
11:00-12:00 Edison Schetter
12:30-1:30 Bandana Brothers
2:00-3:00 Jack Shealy Band
3:30-4:30 CJ Garton
5:00-6:00 Gator Nate
7:00-8:30 Tyler Farr (Headliner)
9:00-10:00 The American Stones (Rolling Stones tribute)
Sunday
Gator Nate Emcee
11:00 -11:45 Chokoloskee Church Worship Band
12:00-1:00 Jorden Guess
1:30 -2:30 Wes Shipp
3:00-4:00 Charlie Pace Band
4:30- 6:00 MeetLoaf (Meatloaf tribute)
With seafood sizzling, music echoing through the streets, and the Circle buzzing from start to finish, the 56th Everglades Seafood Festival is the place to be this weekend.
Bring your friends. Bring your appetite.
We’ll see you at the Circle.
For full schedules and updates, evergladesseafoodfestival.org
