For Hometown News
NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Local and regional restaurants are getting ready to feature their signature seafood dishes at the fifth annual New Smyrna Beach Shrimp and Seafood Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16.
The highlight of the festival will be area restaurants competing for bragging rights and "Best of the Beach" awards in shrimp, shell fish, fish and specialty categories.
Besides competing against each other, their offerings are also for sale to the public in sample sizes ranging from $3 to $5. Serving sample sizes encourages guests to taste from multiple eateries and enjoy different takes on seafood using the same core ingredients.
Non-seafood options will be available for land-lovers.
In addition to the seafood offerings, the festival also will host multiple entertainment locations with live bands, beverage bars, beer gardens, and a kid's zone, as well as craft venders, community group stands and sponsor exhibits.
Parking is plentiful throughout the Flagler Avenue arts-entertainment-shopping district on pocket parking lots, side streets and lots behind many of the businesses.
A free shuttle will be available for festival guests from 160 North Causeway. Please look for shuttle parking and pick Causeway. The free shuttle service will run from 4:40 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For more event information and accommodation specials, call 1-386-428-1600 or go to partyonflagler.com.
For information on the shuttle, please call (386) 424-2175.