Like seafood and live music? Get plenty of both at this new festival on Anna Maria Island
It’s hard to improve on an Anna Maria Island sunset — but how about adding a heaping helping of seafood and some live music?
The inaugural Coquina Beach Seafood and Music Festival will do just that.
Starting Friday afternoon and ending on Sunday night, the event will boast a jam-packed lineup of regional music talent in an open-air setting at the south end of Bradenton Beach.
Better yet, general admission to hear the music is free.
Food vendors will be on site serving up seafood, other meat dishes, vegetarian options, sides and desserts, according to the event website.
Organizers promise seafood “prepared using sustainable ocean resources from the Florida Gulf Coast.”
Beachgoers can also shop among vendors of arts, crafts and fine products.
The music lineup over the three-day festival offers a little bit of everything.
Friday’s lineup features The Whole Band with Callie Chappell (Americana, rock and variety); RJ Howson (R&B, blues and rock) and Big Night Out (dance, rock and alternative music).
Saturday will bring Kettle of Fish (rock, blues and reggae); Jack’d Up (rock, pop and dance); Dr. Dave Band (classic rock, country and bluegrass); The Verge (classic rock) and Fleetwood Max (a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band) to the stage.
On Sunday, the West Coast Steel Pan Band (jazz and Caribbean); the Billy Rice Band (country rock) and the Black Honkeys (rock and soul) will close out the festival.
The group behind the event, Paragon Festivals, produces similar jamborees throughout Southwest Florida, including in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, Ft. Meyers and St. Pete Beach; this will be the first of its kind in Manatee County.
Details: 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Coquina Beach, 1800 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Free general admission.
Info: seafoodfestivals.com.