Cotee River Seafood Fest Marks 19th Year

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- The 19th annual Cotee River Seafood Festival will take place April 20, 21 and 22 in Sims Park, Main and Bank streets, New Port Richey.

Hours are:
Friday 5 to 11 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What's on tap:
* Boat Show Saturday and Sunday

* Hurricane /Disaster Expo – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a hurricane simulator, Spectrum Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez and anchor Erica Riggins, free hurricane guides and kids' weather activity books.

* Miss Daisy boat rides on the Cotee River Saturday and Sunday. Boat tour is 30 to 45 minutes. Cost is $5.

* Fifth Annual DUCKtona 500 Duck Race Saturday at 4 p.m. from the Main Street bridge. Results and awards will follow the race.

* Arts and crafts including prepared food items, puppy hats and sunglasses, hand-crafted sculptures, jewelry and kitschy clothes ranging in price from $5 to $500/

* Food vendors offering seafood favorites including grouper sandwiches, crab cakes and crawfish etouffe as well as corn dogs, shaved ice and funnel cake.

* Activities and games for kids including bounce houses, slides and other interactive inflatables. Games run an average of $5.

Free live music each day

Friday
7 to 8:30 p.m. Barefoot Bob and the Hope
9 to 10:30 p.m. Greg Billings Band

Saturday

Noon to 1 p.m.. Father Eric Band
1 to 2:30 p.m. Black Water Swamp Band
3 to 4:30 p.m. Nitro with the Tampa Bay Blues Machine
5 to 6:30 p.m. Sarasota Slim
7 to 8:30 p.m. Lauren Mitchell
9 to 10:30 p.m. Little Jake and the Soul Searchers

Sunday
Noon to 1 p.m. Bear and Robert
1:30 to 3 p.m. Back Track Blues Band
3:30 to 5 p.m. Sugar & Spice Revue

Image via Shutterstock