The Carrabelle community invites you to explore the legends, lyrics and wonders that make this area unique at the 27th Annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival. This two-day event is being held Friday, April 21, 4 pm-8 pm and Saturday, April 22, 10 am-6 pm on Marine Street along the beautiful Carrabelle Harbor.  Admission is FREE and open to the public.

Join the Carrabelle Riverfront Festival as it celebrates the return of the most popular traditions, exhibits, and family friendly activities – the Fishy Fashion Show; Pirates of the Carrabellean Pirate Training Camp; Pet Show by the Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers; Parade of the Species; Tate's Hell State Forest event; yummy grub at the Treasure of Gullet's Cove; the National Historic Landmark Governor Stone;  unusual and colorful arts and crafts; vintage car show; festive knee slapping, boot stomping, soul shaking music; and an array of maritime and landlubber history and educational exhibitors. See below for details of these activities!

The Carrabelle Riverfront Festival’s very own crazy Fishy Fashion Show will be making a splash with this season’s “Dos and Do Knots” of coastal couture. Maritime models show off astonishing, nautical-themed outfits made from found and recycled materials like sea nets, old beach umbrellas, oyster sacks, sails, sponges, and washed up debris. This signature event will amaze and delight audiences all of ages and will be making waves at on Saturday, 2 pm at the main stage.

The celebration of Carrabelle’s cultural, historic and natural resources continues with the Carrabelle History Museum’s Avenue B. The street will be full with hands-on survival skill activities, like roof thatching, rope weaving, edible wild plants identifying, fire starting, and animal snare making; interactive archeology and folk craft demonstrations; educational exhibits from local and state resource experts; and the wonderful hands-on SeaMobile with touch tanks, and critters galore. The Florida Forest Service will be offering two exciting guided field trips to Rock Landing in Tate’s Hell State Forest for archery and kayaking during Saturday’s event. Come discover the skills you’d need to survive the wilds of our Forgotten Coast. All these kid and family friendly activities can be found at Avenue B.

The fun Pirates of the Carrabellean Training Academy is again coming aboard the Carrabelle Riverfront Festival. The Nest program will hold the pirate “boarding” school where young lads and lassies can refine their seaways and hone their pirate skills and etiquette activity. This free children’s activity will take them from landlubber to Seadog before they can say “Yo Ho Ho”. Additionally, there will also be an entertainment area for kids with bouncy houses, face painting and other activities.

The 27th annual event offers fun live entertainment to include local music acts, the Tallahassee Community College Dancers, the Parade of the Species (a costumed celebration of our native wildlife), and the always hilarious Pet Show sponsored by the Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers. Be sure to bring your furry friend dressed up in his or her best duds. Friday night our music kicks off with Tommy & the Ace of Hearts band. This year we will also have a phenomenal headliner band on Saturday, “Big Daddy & Red Hot Java”.  This band creates a blend of down home Chicago roots and adopted musical home of New Orleans! This incredible 7-piece band playing of mix of blues, jazz and soul is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Expanding the festivities, a vintage car show hosted by the Forgotten Coast Cruisers and Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce will be Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm with their amazing rides.  If you have a vintage ride, come show it off and join or come take a look at the pride and joy of auto enthusiasts from around our region.

The National Historic Landmark Governor Stone will return to the Carrabelle Harbor for the festival.  The Governor Stone is a beautiful, 65 foot, two-mast schooner built in 1877.  This wooden ship is one of a kind and will be available for boarding and pictures.  Weather and scheduling permitting, the vessel may be available for short trips out to the bay.

While checking out all these fabulous events, be sure to shop til you drop at our fabulous arts and crafts vendors. This is a great opportunity to grab a souvenir or buy a special gift or two. Then drop into Gullet’s Cove, the festival’s food court, and toss back a tasty morsel and mollusk or two. Grab a bite and table with a view at the Wharf Pavilion - no reservation required.

Tate's Hell and Back 5K returns April 22 at 8 am. As the sun rises Saturday morning, participants will run or walk along River Road to the edge of Tate's Hell State Forest. Runners can sign up ahead of time or on race day.  All proceeds benefit the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle.