Stone Crab Fest to return with food, music and fun
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce (GPICC) will present the LCEC 5th Annual Stone Crab Music Fest — Blues & Brews from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in the Winn-Dixie plaza.
According to GPICC President Dave Conner, the event will be the largest festival thrown by the GPICC. With that comes sponsors, such as LCEC and Suncoast Beverage Sales.
“LCEC does a lot for this island and we really appreciate it, so now it’s LCEC Stone Crab Music Fest. Suncoast Beverage has been our presenting sponsor since the beginning. They will continue to do that,” he said.
The event is always planned for the Sunday before Veterans Day. Conner said most people like this Sunday event, adding that it begins at 11 a.m. and should not be in the way of too much. With stone crab season having started Oct. 15, he said much of the season is dependent on how many claws are brought in.
“Sometimes hurricanes will disrupt that production, but it looks like it’s been a pretty good stone crab season,” Conner said.
The adventure will be filled with blues music, cold beer, stone crabs, Pine Island businesses and crafters. Conner said to plan on live music all day, starting with the Mattlee Crew at 11 a.m. and the CJ Sterlace Band to follow at around 1 p.m. Frank Bang & the Secret Stash will perform at approximately 3 p.m., with RJ Howson and Friends rounding out the day at 5 p.m.
He predicted a fun lineup with many bands that are locally known.
For football fans, there will be a sports bar area with the Miami Dolphins versus the Detroit Lions game on at 1 p.m. on the jumbotron TV.
Conner said if attendees want to avoid having to walk too far to get to the event, there will be shuttles going back and forth to Truist Bank, the Island Crab and Beacon of HOPE.
“You can do some outside parking and catch the local taxi. There will be over 70 island businesses and organizations represented at the festival, with a great range of crafts, arts and business information. We really try to change things up every year to make it exciting,” he said.
Although there will be plenty of food for everyone, stone crabs are the main feature on the menu with fresh claws, crab chowder, crab cakes and crab rolls Conner noted it would not be a Pine Island festival without mullet dips, shrimp, hot dogs and ice cream, cold beer and tropical adult beverages too.
He added that there is something for everyone.
A $5 donation is requested at the entrance to help support island businesses and Pine Island nonprofit organizations.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and to stay a while they soak up some island-style fun.
For more information, visit https://www.pineislandchamber.org/.
The Winn-Dixie is at 9864 Stringfellow Road, St. James City.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email