Seafood lovers - get ready to party.  Arriving by bikes, trolleys and cars, festival goers will immediately be drawn into the magical, island-style celebration that has become the Deering Seafood Festival. Greeted with the intoxicating rhythm of steel drums and towering stilt walkers, the party is about to begin on the biggest backyard on Biscayne Bay. 

Bring your family and friends Sunday, March 29th from 11am to 6pm, and plan to spend the day because this event just keeps getting better. The tropical sights and sounds lure you in as the Bay Roots Reggae Band plays their calypso beat, and the colorfully costumed, free spirited Bahamian Junkanoo dancers weave playfully throughout the crowd. Every island celebration needs some fire eating and limbo dancing, and the entertainment at the Deering Seafood Festival’s offers that and more.

Throughout the day local seafood markets, caterers, and restaurants prepare an outstanding array of the freshest catch that includes delicious lobster, fried conch, shrimp egg rolls, grilled dolphin, garlic blue crabs and mountains of shrimp that are steamed, fried, or just peel and eat. 

While festival goers of all ages enjoy the scrumptious seafood, there are also cooking demos by local celebrity chefs, an artists’ village with original oil and acrylic paintings, a Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone for kid-friendly fun, boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key, and nature hikes and house tours of the historic Deering Estate.  The marine biologists at the Estate have created a Touch Tank that offers a hands-on experience for children to learn about sea life in Biscayne Bay and our ecosystem.

Together with the help of a tireless Seafood Festival committee, Chair Eric Haas and Deering Estate Foundation Director Mary Pettit remain focused on providing both a unique culinary experience and crowd-pleasing musical happening, all in a green environment.

Miami-Dade Parks provides quality and diverse cultural and recreational experiences for persons with disabilities. To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call (305) 755-7848 or 305-755-7980  

We were lucky enough to talk with May Pettit, Director of the Deering Foundation, about the Deering Seafood Festival. Here's what she had to say...

WE:  What was the genesis of the Deering Seafood Festival? 

MP: The annual Deering Seafood Festival morphed from what was originally an intimate clam bake held on the lawn back in the 90’s to what is today, the largest single day event held at the Estate, drawing over 6,000 guests each year.  It was reintroduced as the Deering Seafood Festival in 2005 as a signature annual fundraising event hosted by the Deering Estate Foundation.  Raising public awareness of the Deering Estate at Cutler is a primary component of the Foundation’s mission and as such, the Deering Estate Foundation was in search of establishing an event unique to Miami-Dade County that would draw members of the community as well as tourists to the
Deering Estate that may otherwise not be compelled to visit. Using the allure of freshly prepared South Florida seafood, in conjunction with Caribbean themed all day live entertainment and a variety of activities that include a Li’l Shrimp Kids Zone, Artists’ Village, Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages, it produces an outdoor family day of fun at one of South Florida’s most spectacular venues on Biscayne Bay.  It is the only Seafood Festival in Miami-Dade County and successfully provides us with a unique opportunity to showcase the diversity and cultural richness of the resources the Estate has to offer.

WE:  What are the goals?

MP: The primary goal of the annual Deering Seafood Festival is to raise public awareness of the Deering Estate at Cutler and to promote the many cultural, environmental, educational and recreational programs that take place on the Estate year round.  Each year, surveys reveal that over 35% of festival  goers are visiting the Estate for the very first time. In addition, festival proceeds provide needed resources to further develop and sustain this crown jewel of South Dade.  Funds raised are used for historical restoration, program development and environmental preservation.

WE:  Are there things that visitors can do to help out, while they are
there?

MP: The Deering Seafood Festival is supported by over 350 hard working volunteers each year.  We ask our guests to help by being good environmental stewards through appropriate recycling of their food and beverage containers, properly disposing of garbage and by encouraging folks nearby to walk, run or bike to the event, instead of driving.  Green Mobility provides a free bicycle valet located directly across from the main gate to
provide a safe and secure area for bicycles. Last year 174 bicycles used the valet.

WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

MP: ‘Hey Mon’ don’t miss the 5th annual Deering Seafood Festival where
you’ll be kickin’ back Caribbean-style...

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archaeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Explore the grounds and see the tropical hardwood hammocks, rare and native plants, wildlife and archeological treasures dating back to the 1500’s. During the nineteenth century, the Estate was the site of pioneer settlements.  A limited number of tours of the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage are planned. 

Admission tickets include park entrance and entertainment, Adults $12 in advance online/ $15 at the gate; Children 4-14 year $5, and Foundation Members Free. For more information call 305.235.1668 ext. 263 or log on to: www.deeringestate.org.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.

WE: Thanks so much, May! It sounds like an incredible, delicious time!

For more information on the Deering Seafood Festival, please see:

www.deeringestate.org

All photos courtesy and copyright of the Deering Seafood Festival.