Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival draws large turnout

By Ian Swaby
| 4:55 p.m. January 4, 2026

Shayne McKinney, Jenifer McKinney, Heather Travers and Mark Thursby enjoy the vibes together.

Sarasota
Neighbors

At the Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival, a marked increase in attendance over last year could be seen on Saturday morning as attendees filled tables munching on everything from clam strips to grilled octopus.

Bill Kinney of Paragon Festivals, which hosts the event each year, said the festival attracted 20,000 people over the three days it ran from Jan. 2-4 at Robarts Arena.

That turnout was about double from last year's event, which was held at J.D. Hamel Park downtown.

"Last year was a good show. This year, it is one o'clock and it is a great show," said Kinney on Saturday.

Guests at the free event enjoyed fresh seafood, meats and vegetarian offerings cooked on-site, live music by regional bands, and an arts and crafts marketplace.

Artist Ranford Baker created wood carvings on site.

Rosalyn Aparcedo sets out seafood for customers.

Terri Bacon and her daughter Zoeie Bacon enjoy time together.

Rein Ross, 1, holds out his hands so his mom Kristin Ross can clean up after the ice cream.

Jim Connelly and his English Mastiff, Lucy, enjoy the event together.

Chris Dallenbach and Dr. Dave of The Dr. Dave Band perform on stage.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.