Rain dampens Saturday turnout at annual DeSoto Seafood Fest in Palmetto

PALMETTO -- Some people didn't let the rain stop them from satisfying their seafood craving.

Seafood lovers made their way to the annual DeSoto Seafood Festival in Palmetto's Sutton Park, despite torrential downpours that swept into Manatee County mid-Saturday.

Tom Dykstra, 60, of Bradenton, was loving the seafood combo he had.

The food is why he comes every year, he said.

"I was out there earlier listening to some music, came to get something to eat and then I'll head back over," Dykstra said smiling.

He, like most, waited for the storms to pass.

The festival didn't have the same lively vibe, however, as it does other years.

"Because of the rain, but it's still good," Dykstra said.

Organizers are looking forward to Sunday, when the weather is forecast to be sunny and clear.

"We're hoping for a good turnout," said Ray Niecestro, executive director at Hernando De Soto Historical Society.

Despite the rain, Saturday was still great, Niecestro said. He had good feedback from people who attended in spite of the rain. Many were excited to see Darryl Worley and Fairview Union perform. Fifteen-year-old Hannah Jae, of Venice, gave a great performance too, he said.

The food did not disappoint.

Jessica Johnson, her nine-year-old son, and five-year-old daughter were enjoying their selection of tasty treats under the food tent. Mom enjoyed some gumbo and bang bang shrimp from the Riverhouse Reef and Grill while the kids had pizza.

The family lives in North Palmetto and waited out the rain before heading over the festival, Johnson said.

But when the downpours came down Saturday afternoon, many vendors closed up shop and didn't come back.

Christine and Arthur Jacobs of Punta Gorda were among the vendors who waited it out.

"It's a tough one," Christine Jacobs said.

The day had not been profitable for their two booths selling handmade sand ornaments and headbands.

"This was a big disappointment," she added.

The couple said they could deal with the rain, but thought the set-up at the festival with the vendors off to one side of the stage and the food on the other was tough for business.

"We're going to lose money," Arthur Jacobs said.

He said they find at other shows it works better when the vendors are mixed in with the food.

"The rain is one thing, but this is something you can do something about," she said.

The couple sell their ornaments and headbands at about 40 shows a year.

The DeSoto Seafood Fest will be from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit: desotosff.com

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 9:34 PM with the headline "Rain dampens Saturday turnout at annual DeSoto Seafood Fest in Palmetto ."