Community Corner
6 Things to Know about the Cotee River Seafood Festival
The three-day festival brings music and fun to the banks of the Pithlachascotee River.
Get ready to enjoy seafood and live music on the banks of the beautiful river that cuts through New Port Richey.
The three-day Bright House/Bay News 9 Cotee River Seafood and Blues Festival will begin April 27 in Sims Park on the shore of the Pithlachascotee River. The event runs April 27, from 4 to 10 p.m.; April 28 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and April 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Planning to go? Here's what you need to know:
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Cost: There is no entrance fee, and the music is free. But you’ll have to pay for food and drinks.
Music highlights: Prepare for a full schedule of live music featuring musicians from the New Port Richey and Tampa Bay area. On April 27, there will be a Happy Hour in the Park program featuring Thunderbolt Brown Blues Band and Time Bandits. Kathy-Jo and the Bluzification Band will play at 8:30 p.m. At noon on April 28, performers from the "Fresh Catch Blues Talent Search,” sponsored by Cocktails, will take the stage. Performances by John Leavell, R.J. Howson, Josh Lamkin will follow. Then Sean Chambers headlines a performance at 8:30 p.m.
Find out what's happening in New Port Richeywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On April 29, the festival features a performance from Music Matters School of Rock.
What’s on the menu: Fresh seafood will be provided for purchase by Hammerhead Grill of St. Petersburg and South Beach Grill. There will also be food trucks.
What you can and can’t bring: Bring lawn chairs and a blanket. Do not bring a cooler. They’re prohibited.
What’s there for kids and families?: A ton. There will be bounce houses, face painters, temporary tattoos, sand art and exhibitions of exotic pets. On Saturday, there will also be a boat show, kayak demonstrations, an oyster eating contest, and appearances by Weeki Wachee Spring’s mermaids and a classic car show featuring the Corvette Club.
Who is behind it?: The event is organized by and raises money for Greater New Port Richey Main Street. Main Street is focused on revitalizing downtown New Port Richey and preserving its historic buildings.
“We’re the only nonprofit that is dedicated to revitalizing and preserving the historic downtown,” Greater New Port Richey Main Steet Executive Director Beth Fregger said.
To find out more about Greater New Port Richey Main Street, visit its website.
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