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Organizers Promise Shell Of A Time

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

RUSKIN - The 19th annual Ruskin Seafood Festival is right around the corner, and organizers are making last-minute preparations to make it the best ever.

'I'm looking forward to bringing the community together for a wonderful weekend,' said Melanie Morrison, executive director of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce and festival chairwoman. 'This is my first year of being involved in the planning of the festival, and I'm excited to see how it all turns out.'

Morrison said she and more than 20 committee members have worked for months putting it together.

'We're very confident it'll be a huge success,' she said.

Last year, about 16,000 visitors attended the two-day event, which includes fresh seafood, live music, arts and crafts, an expanded children's area and a boat show. Morrison said she expects at least that many people this year.

Oysters, shrimp, grouper and crab cakes aren't the only things on the menu, though. The popular food court also will feature traditional carnival fare - hot dogs, burgers, kettle corn and the like. New this year is a Bavarian bakery offering cream puffs, bear claws, sticky buns and other sugary delights.

Morrison said the children's area will feature interactive games and stage entertainment throughout the weekend.

There will be pony rides, face painting, storytelling and more.

Saturday's highlight will be a children's costume contest at 11:30 a.m., where you are likely to see everything from pirates and mermaids to lobsters and two-legged crabs parading across stage. Prizes for first, second and third places are up for grabs in two age groups, 1 to 4 and 5 to 10. There's still time to register early at www.ruskinseafoodfestival .org. Parents also may register their youngsters at 10 a.m. the day of the event.

In addition to the boat show, the festival has a commercial section, where dozens of area businesses will showcase their products and services. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation, Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, the SouthShore Arts Council and other nonprofit organizations will offer a variety of educational exhibits.

There's plenty of free parking and a complimentary shuttle service to the festival, which is an alcohol-free event. A portion of the proceeds, which primarily benefit the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, are donated to Friends of the Park, Hillsborough County.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: 19th annual Ruskin Seafood Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3

WHERE: E.G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Ave. N.W., Ruskin

COST: $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; children 12 and younger, free

INFORMATION: (813) 645-3808 or www.ruskinseafood festival.org

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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