Festival to Showcase Stock Island’s Seafaring Heritage, Cuisine and Community
The seafaring tradition, culinary riches and vibrant creative enterprises of Stock Island, the Florida Keys community adjacent to Key West, are to be on display Friday through Sunday, Dec. 7-8, for attendees of the I Love Stock Island Festival.
The hub of the Florida Keys commercial shrimping industry, Stock Island is defined by a rustic authenticity that flavors its colorful marinas, arts enclaves and waterfront bars and restaurants.
The family-friendly festival is to blend culinary events, live music, history and art studio tours, a bicycle excursion, a lighted boat parade and other experiences that showcase the island and its eclectic working waterfront.
Scheduled highlights include Friday’s “Taste of Stock Island,” a guided exploration of local cuisine beginning at 4 p.m. Traveling via trolley, guests are to stop at selected Stock Island restaurants to savor small plates and beverage pairings at each location.
Friday also features waterfront festivities as vessels from dinghies and schooners to local shrimpboats, all adorned with holiday lights and decorations, parade through community marinas. Happy hour at Stock Island Marina Village starts at 5 pm with the 2nd Annual Stock Island Lighted Boat Parade at 7 p.m and great after parties with live music at 9 pm at the famous Hogfish Bar & Grill.
Saturday’s Discover Stock Island is a day-long event based at the all new Bernstein Park in the heart of Stock Island. We kick off with a 5k run/walk and roll into the festival featuring live music, food trucks, vendors and kid’s activities. Enter your cuties in the Little Mr & Miss Stock Island Contest or compete in the first annual Stock Island Olympics: Feats of Seamanship. Be sure to sample and vote for your favorite roasted pork in the Cuban Pig Roast: Chinabox Challenge or enter and win fame and fortune! And then hop on the trolley to Discover all the businesses in Stock Island offering you a chance to win great treasure!
Sunday’s schedule features guided history tours departing from We Cycle at 5160 Overseas Highway and an Art Stroll showcasing the prolific and eclectic art scene on Stock Island.
The festival’s other enticements include food truck feasts,festive holiday brunches at popular Stock Island restaurants, Christmas at the Animal Farm, Shrimp Boil, live music, discounted water sports and excursions and much, much more.
Businesses and vendors are encouraged to sign up now to participate. Tickets and registrations for guests will go live November 15. Please also mark your calendars for the kick off to the Holidays with our trap tree lighting ceremony November 25 at Fishbusterz and our Island-wide cleanup December 1.
Event information: ILoveStockIsland.
Lower Keys visitor information:
fla-keys.com/lowerkeys or 1-800-872-3722
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