Contact: Whitney Vaughan Fike, Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator
Fiesta of Five Flags Association
whitney@fiestaoffiveflags.org

Phone: (850) 433-6512

Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 20, 2010 - Savor delicious seafood and enjoy the surroundings of downtown Pensacola during the 33rd annual Pensacola Seafood Festival. The festival presented by the Fiesta of Five Flags Association will be held September 24, 25 and 26 in historic Seville Square, Fountain Park and Bartram Park. Admission to the festival is free.

Times: Friday, September 24 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 25 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 26 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Pensacola Seafood Festival will feature a variety of delicious seafood dishes and other festival fare. Treat your taste buds to a variety of dishes from 18 carefully selected food vendors bordering the park. Enjoy favorite foods such as grilled conch, seafood gumbo, oyster croquettes, soft shell crab, coconut shrimp, Caribbean crab cakes, bang bang shrimp and much more.

The festival is one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in northwest Florida with more than 160 artisans and craftsmen who travel from around the country to participate in this three day festival. Vendors will be displaying their unique wares, and many items are reflective of the area’s unique Gulf Coast lifestyle. Applications are still being accepted.

The Escambia County Tourist Development Council has granted the Fiesta of Five Flags organization $50,000 in funding from part of $1.35 million donation from BP to Escambia County to promote tourism. The world’s greatest 80’s tribute band, The Molly Ringwalds, will be entertaining the crowd on Friday night. Musical performances will also be made by Kyle Parker and East Hill Band, the Springs, Trunk Monkey, Beulah Land South Band, Starz, Modern Eldorados, Johnny Barbato and the Lucky Doggs, Chuck Lawson and Heritage. Those who wish to enjoy the entertainment acts are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. No coolers will be allowed.

The Fiesta Seafood Grille, presented by Energy Services of Pensacola, will feature local chefs who share their secrets for preparing favorite mouthwatering cuisine with an emphasis in fresh seafood.

Friday, September 24
Join Chef Curtis Flower, of Distinctive Kitchens, as he demonstrates how to prepare Spanish paella and pair is with various Spanish wines.

Saturday, September 25
Noon – Jackson’s
1 p.m. – Portabello Market
2 p.m. – The Fish House
3 p.m. – The Grand Marlin
4 p.m. – H20

Sunday, September 26
Noon – Nancy’s Haute Affairs
1 p.m. – Jerry’s Cajun Café
2 p.m. – Flounder’s Chowder House
3 p.m. – Dharma Blue

Dock jumping for dogs is fast becoming one of America’s most popular outdoor events. The Splash Dogs competition was founded in the summer of 2003 as a dog enthusiast company which organizes and promotes dock jumping competitions for dogs. Pets compete by distance, diving from a dock into a 25 foot pool. The event is open to any dog/handler team who wishes to enter throughout the weekend. Participants may register online at www.splashdogs.com or on-site. Competitive dogs are ONLY allowed in Pensacola News Journal Pelican Park (Bartram Park) at 211 Bayfront Parkway.

Fun-filled activities for children will take place in Pensacola News Journal Pelican Park, hosted by Fiesta and the Babin House of Party, and will be open Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children may express their artistic side with hands-on crafts including sand art and mullet painting. Enjoy free activities such as group games, the giant parachute, and a bubble tower. The famous candy cannon will be shooting candy Saturday and Sunday to satisfy a sweet tooth. Activities such as a rock climbing wall, inflatable human hamster balls and jump houses will be on-site.

Local artist Jan Kurtz, who created the artwork for the 2010 festival, will be available to sign posters next to the gazebo in Seville Square. Jan Kurtz, best known for her marine biology research, translates her fascination with the environment around us into brilliant naturescapes. Posters and T-shirts showcasing her design will be sold at the official merchandise booths during the Pensacola Seafood Festival. Posters are $25 and signing times are Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday noon to 2 p.m.

The Pensacola Seafood Festival 5K Run/Walk is sponsored by the Pensacola Runners Association. The run kicks off the fall racing season in Pensacola and will commence at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 25 at Seville Quarter, 130 East Government Street. Please visit the Pensacola Runners Association website at www.pensacolarunners.com for more information.

For additional information about the Pensacola Seafood Festival contact the Fiesta of Five Flags office at (850) 433-6512 or visit www.fiestaoffiveflags.org.

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The mission of the Fiesta of Five Flags is to celebrate our heritage, promote tourism, and build pride in Pensacola through festive activities which enhance the quality of life in our community.