Named a “Top 20
Event for 2004” by the Southeast Tourism Society, and “The Most Outstanding
Special Event in the State of Florida,” in 2001, an award and sanction bestowed
upon a festival by the office of Florida Secretary of State, the Cotee River
Seafood & Blues Festival quickly became a region favorite.
This event encompasses multiple activities and entertainment for the entire family toenjoy. Its setting is in Sims Park, nestled along the Pithlachascotee (Cotee)River and at Orange Lake, which adjoins the park. Favorite activities includes a boat show, an arts and craft fair primarily focusing on nautical and natural themed hand-crafted products; 30-minute river cruises aboard the charming Miss Daisy Pontoon boat, a classic car cruise-in, seafood and live musical entertainment.
The Festival also features a two-day Blues by the River Concert with more than 10 local and regional acts and a nationally recognized act on Saturday evening. Four weeks prior to the event, the 3rd Annual "Fresh-Catch Blues Talent Search takes place in the downtown. This contest brings local musicians to the downtown in a series of competitions; the winners are then chosen to perform in the Blues by the River concerts over the festival weekend.One of the main attractions of the event is an on land boat show consisting of new boats, kayaks and other watercraft from a variety of local and regional manufacturers and dealers, all displayed around picturesque Orange Lake. To complement this display, personal watercraft and marine related products and service vendors are on display in the adjacent Sims Park. The ever popular Pasco Camera Exchange Photography Contest, now in its’ 9th year features photography of either nature and/or people.
Friday TRUE OLDIES NITE CONCERT
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• 6:00 pm THE BOB HOPE BAND • 7:30 pm CIRCLE SKY • 9:30 pm U.S. STONES •
Saturday BLUES BY THE RIVER CONCERT
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• 12:00pm FRANC ROBERT - acoustic blues • 1:00pm “FRESH CATCH” PRIZE WINNER • 3:00pm THE MIGHTY ONES w/ EVE SHAW • 5:00pm TC CARR AND THE BOLTS OF BLUE BAND w/JOSH NELMS • 7:00pm THE STEVE ARVEY BAND • 9:00pm LAUREN MITCHELL BAND •
Sunday BLUES BY THE RIVER CONCERT
• 1pm FRANC ROBERT & BOXCAR TOURISTS • 2pm DUCKtona 500 RACE • 3pm BLUE LIGHTNING BAND •