Bring on the SEAFOOD!

In addition to all the amazing Oktoberfests and Halloween shenanigans going on this month in the Tampa Bay area, we also have a few highly anticipated annual seafood events coming up soon that are sure to please the pallet! And what better places for an authentic seafood extravaganza than beautiful Madeira and Clearwater Beach?

The shoppnig/dining mecca of Madeira Beach can be found at John's Pass Village, and every year this amazing stretch of family fun hosts an enormous seafood festival with featured entertainment and friendly competitions. This year marks the 33rd installment of this two and a half day outdoor event, and this year is shaping up to be one of the best! This year features such events as the Angler Army "Battle in the Gulf" fishing contest, a block party, costume contests for both kids and adults (with cash prizes!), an arts and crafts show, and a seafood/gumbo contest with real live judges. Best of all, admission is totally free! Bring the kids, the parents, even the dogs October 24th-26th and enjoy!

Located right on the water's edge, it's obviousy no wonder Clearwater Beach has its own seafood festival traditions! The big ones take place at Cooter's Restaurant and Bar and Frenchy's four beach locations, both of which celebrate the beginning of stone crab season. This year will be the 21st edition of the Cooter's Crabfest, and the 30th anniversary of Frenchy's Stone Crab Festival, with variations of crab ranging from king to dungeness and everything in between - all at wholesale prices! These two events kick of the weekend of October 23 through the 26th and only while supplies last, so don't wait till the last minute to go! Both will feature live music, food and drink specials, and even raffles for prize packages offered over the course of the entire weekend. You won't want to miss it!

So if you're an avid seafood lover, the beaches of Pinellas County have got you covered for the month of October! Check out one or both of these events and tells us what foods you tried, what contests you saw, the music you heard, and what you thought about the events overall. Most importantly, let us know how much fun you had!