Growing in leaps and bounds, the Matlacha Mariner’s Seafood Fest and Car Show continues to expand offerings again this year.
Dozens of food and craft vendors will fill the grounds of the German-American Club on Pine Island Road on Saturday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to offer everything from fresh, locally caught and prepared seafood to clothing and jewelry.
In addition, an outstanding car show will attract vintage and muscle car enthusiasts to the event as well. Live music also will fill the air with performances by local musicians. Among those scheduled to perform are the Bombalaros, Soapbox, Deb and the Dynamics and the 50s/60s doo wop sounds of Brylcream.
Also on tap will be numerous activities for kids, 50/50 drawings and the final chance to obtain tickets for the raffle of a 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe motorcycle valued at $17,000. The announcement of the winner of the motorcycle raffle will be take place at 5 p.m. on the day of the event and all ticket sales will end at 4 p.m.
The main focus however, will be the food. This year’s food vendors include Miceli’s Restaurant, which will offer raw oysters, seafood pizza, badabing shrimp and seafood stuffed mushrooms; Cameron’s British Foods, which will have fish and chips, fried shrimp, peel-and-eat shrimp and fish sandwiches; Big Papa’s Concessions, which will cook blackened scallops skewers, paella rice, coconut shrimp and chicken tender baskets; Blue Crawfish Catering, which will feature crawfish chowder, etoufee, jambalaya, shrimp creole and rice and beans; Ali Gator, which will have cator-gator, lobster bites, conch fritters, fried shrimp, frog legs, seafood salad, clam stuffies and surf and turf on a stick; Moretti’s Restaurant, which will offer crab cakes, fried shrimp, fish fingers, clam strips, clam chowder and fries and Maria Rosa Hot Dog Co., which will have chicken and pork kabobs, sausages, hot dogs and arepas. for desert see D&J Tasty Treats for homemade ice cream; St. Andew Knights of Columbus for funnel cakes or Shamrock Johnson for Italian ices.
Also on hand will be the Waterfront Restaurant with offerings sure to please any palette.
No coolers or carry-in beverages will be permitted, however, the Mariners will have plenty of soft drinks and adult beverages for purchase.
According to organizer, Orion Anderson, at the Car Show, visitors will be treated to more than 300 custom and classic cars. Trophies and award presentations for the Car Show entrants will take place at approximately 3:30 p.m.
As for art, craft and other vendors, on hand will be Citybiz to promote local businesses; Tastefully Simple with packaged gourmet food; Frills with clothing and jewelry; Fashion and Sport sunglasses; R-Daze Miami LLC with women’s beachwear and dresses; From Our Hearts with information on breast cancer awareness; Sue’s Elegan Hairclips with hair clips; Crystal Clear Water with bottled water; The Tooth Fairy with 14K and sterling fossil shark tooth jewelry; Trader’s Hitching Post with American Indian jewelry; Jay Jameson with jewelry; bracelets by Suzanne Jewelry; Cheryl’s Creations with crocheted items and jewelry; American Travel Partners with cruise and travel promotions; Dean Wang with purses and jewelry; Connie’s Boateak with Tees, koozies, beads and jewelry; Pine Island Spice Co. with bottled spices; Bob and Annie’s Boat Yard with boat sales, repair and marina; Bath Fitter with bath remodeling; Stay Alive with just drive traffic safety; Lee’s Crafts with quilts, purses and more; Karen’s Kreations with dichromic glass jewelry and necklaces; Cougar Lady with Florida panther information and a live panther at the site; Donna Reynolds with jewelry, rings and natural stones; Cigars for Soldiers, which will accept donations for cigars for our soldiers; Gold Chrome Technology with gold and chrome plating for any metal items; Pelican Coast Farms with live orchids; Key West Express with information of the jet boat from Fort Myers to Key West; RDG Enterprises with framed record albums, Pine Bay Gallery with T-shirts, Crocs and gift items and the Matlacha Hookers with Hooker merchandise.
In addition, the Mariners will offer for sale festival T-shirts, koozies, beer, wine and soft drinks in as well as raffle tickets.
Ample free parking is available at the German-American Club. Admission to the event will be $5 for adults and children 11 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult.
The Matlacha Mariners, a non-profit, Pine Island based men’s organization, is dedicated to helping its community. All proceeds from the Seafood Fest and Car Show will benefit island charities and for more information, visit matlachamariners.org