Lobster lovers are invited to sample the savory Florida crustacean during Key West Lobsterfest, scheduled Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 10-13. The festival celebrates the start of the Florida Keys lobster season with a tasty “menu” of events highlighted by an open-air lobster feast on the island’s famed Duval Street.
The flavorful festivities kick off at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, when lobster aficionados can gather at the Sunset Tiki Bar & Grille, 617 Front St., for a lobster boil that also includes shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish, corn on the cob and new potatoes. Live entertainment and libation specials are to round out the evening’s action.
Known as spiny lobsters, the clawless crustaceans found in Keys waters offer sweet and tender meat. Lobster often is served steamed with drawn butter, baked and stuffed, in creamy bisque or cold in savory salads.
Fans can sample lobster dishes of all sorts at the Key West Lobsterfest Street Fair, set for noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, in the 100 through 500 blocks of Duval. During this enticing festival “entrée,” chefs from local restaurants are to prepare lobster specialties ranging from tempting appetizers to traditional dinners with all the trimmings.
A free outdoor concert is slated for 1-10:30 p.m. with entertainers including Alphonse, Cool Breeze and the Durtbags performing from a stage at the intersection of Duval and Greene streets. Attendees also can browse and buy art, crafts and merchandise from onsite vendors.
Other Lobsterfest events include Friday afternoon’s “Reef & Ritas” catamaran sail and snorkel trip, a Friday night Duval Crawl of downtown Key West watering holes and a mouthwatering lobster brunch Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, 4 Charles St.
Event information and ticketing: keywestlobsterfest.com
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
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