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20th Annual Ruskin Seafood Fest Set For Nov. 1-2

Tribune file photo by LOIS KINDLE

Get your fill of soft-shell crabs, mullet, fried shrimp and more at the 20th Annual Ruskin Seafood Festival Nov. 1-2 at E.G. Simmons Park.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2008

RUSKIN - The first weekend in November is just around the corner, and for South Shore folks, that means it's time for the 20th annual Ruskin Seafood Festival.

Scheduled for Nov. 1-2 at E.G. Simmons Park, this year's event features everything for which the festival is known, plus some new twists.

"We're expecting around 20,000 people over the weekend," said Melanie Morrison, executive director of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce. "With all the growth in membership this year and the celebration of Ruskin's centennial, there's a lot of excitement in the community. We hope this is the best festival ever."

This year's musical headliners include T-Blue, Caribbean Cowboy, Off the Cuff, the Tomcats, Gaither High School Showcase Performers and DJ Gary.

And for the first time the children's area will have its own stage. It will feature Jumbo the Clown and his magic tricks, Disney characters and animals from Croc Encounters. There also will be a dunk tank, bouncy houses and other fun-filled activities.

As always, seafood takes center stage at the food court, with plenty of grouper fingers, shrimp, conch fritters, fish and chips and the like. And junk-food connoisseurs will find lots of carnival-style food to fill their cravings.

The midway will feature an arts and crafts section, educational displays, a health and wellness pavilion offering free screenings, environmental exhibits and a live broadcast of the "Reel Animals" fishing show with Mike Anderson and Billy Nobles.

The chamber bills the festival as its largest fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds go to Friends of the Park, a nonprofit group benefiting E.G. Simmons Park.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Ruskin Seafood Festival

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

WHEN: Nov. 1-2

HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov.1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2

ADMISSION: Adults, $5; children 12 and younger, free; complimentary parking and shuttle

INFORMATION: (813) 645-3808

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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