SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival draws thousands
E.G. Simmons Regional Park was filled with the sights and sounds of people having fun Nov. 2 and 3 in Ruskin.
“We had a wonderful turnout, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather,” said Melanie Davis, executive director of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, host of the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival. “Thousands came out and stayed for hours, many for the whole day.
“The music set the tone for the entire weekend,” she continued. “People seemed to enjoy themselves and everything we had at the festival (seafood, live entertainment, arts, vendors, kids activities and more).
Lois Kindle
LOIS KINDLE PHOTOS
Ashley Martin, of Hammerheads Seafood, is ready to take orders at the inaugural SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival at E.G. Simmons Regional Park in Ruskin Nov. 2 and 3.
Strolling the festival grounds, a member of the Krewe of the South Shore Marauders stops to hand out their signature blue beads to some children at E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
Lots of folks brought their dogs to the pet friendly SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival. Shown here is Erica Sandoval, of Wimauma, with her 9-week-old Chihuahua mix, Mercedes.
Dishes like this piping hot seafood paella drew lots of hungry visitors to the festival food court. Of course, there were plenty of non-seafood choices, as well.
The six-member Southshore Cruisers classic rock band performs Nov. 2 at the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival.
Ruskin Christian School student Charlee Platt, 6, of Waterset, is proud of the fish art she made at the Firehouse Cultural Center Children’s Creativity Tent.
Chef Cheryl Ann Morales-Lee of Kitchen Craft demonstrates at her booth.
GWFC Ruskin Woman’s Club members Sharon Davis, of Apollo Beach, left, Anne Frappier, of Apollo Beach, and Sharron Sweat, of Riverview, sell handmade Christmas wreaths and other holiday items at the festival.
Volunteers Cheri Schumacher, left, Phyllis Gannon and Sue Oland staff the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort booth at the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival.
A performer with the pirate themed, high-flying aerial and acrobatic Cirque Adventures delights a crowd of kids and parents at the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival.
Morning visitors check out the festival’s main vendor drag as the inaugural SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival kicks off Nov. 2.
Janierys Ramos, 9, shows off a pinch pot she is working on at the Firehouse Cultural Center Children’s Creativity Tent during the festival.
Five-year-old twins Carter, left, and Connor, sons of Amanda Garte of MiraBay, cool off with some flavored Kona Ice at the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival.
Ruskin artist Ron Deel, always a crowd favorite, stands beside some of his original oil paintings in his booth at the inaugural SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival.
Hungry visitors line up to get their fill of seafood and more during the first day of the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival.
