Original Marathon Seafood Festival Program 24

SATURDAY & SUNDAY MARCH 9-10

MARATHON

COMMUNITY PARK

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WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL

Now in its 48th year, what began with local commercial fishermen in Marathon as a way to get together and celebrate the fruits of their labor is an amazing event that attracts more than 15,000 people every year. From humble beginnings, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival has blossomed into an event that now has over 250 volunteers and more than 200 vendor booths, and involves many local groups and agencies that help put the family-fun festival together.

The festival serves as an economic boon for our local businesses by bringing in thousands of people from around the world. It also puts our island of Marathon on the map as a premier destination by highlighting our local seafood, amazing people and Florida Keys lifestyle. All in all, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is a win-win for everyone here in Marathon and the Middle Keys, as annual event proceeds of more than $75,000 find their way back to the pockets of local charitable organizations such as food banks, day care centers, housing initiatives, scholarships, youth sports and many other worthwhile causes.

In 2024, we are thrilled to partner with a phenomenal family-owned business familiar to all those who travel the Overseas Highway, as Tom Thumb continues as the festival’s title sponsor.

So enjoy the live music, unique gifts, art, boats, games and rides, and most importantly … the freshest seafood in the world. Come on over and visit us both Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10 at Marathon Community Park.

On behalf of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as well as our event partner, the Organized Fishermen of Florida (Marathon chapter), we hope you and your family have a wonderful time at the 48th annual Original Marathon Seafood Festival. “Sea” you at the festival!

Sincerely,

Daniel Samess, M.S. CEO, Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center ceo@floridakeysmarathon.com

12222 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

P. 305.743.5417 , F. 305.289.0183

www.FloridaKeysMarathon.com

www.MarathonSeafoodFestival.com

www.RelocateToTheFloridaKeys.com

GREATER MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITOR CENTER

By Alex Rickert

REMEMBERING BENNETT ORR

Marathon honors a Seafood Festival icon

Sadly, the 48th Original Marathon Seafood Festival will be its first without Bennett Orr, by all accounts an absolute icon of the Middle Keys’ commercial fishing industry for the past five decades. Born in Philadelphia in 1934, Orr arrived in the Keys in the 1970s, cracking into what then was a “closed circle” of Conchs to make his own way as a commercial fisherman. And when Marathon celebrated its first Seafood Festival in 1976, Orr was there, widely regarded as one of the driving forces behind what is now Marathon’s most popular annual event.

Orr became the festival’s unofficial historian, preserving photographs and one of each festival’s T-shirts. In later years, he was the festival’s “most trusted man,” delivering cash from seafood booths to the festival’s on-site bank.

Through his final years, the former president of the Organized Fishermen of Florida remained a champion for commercial fishermen throughout the Keys and beyond, traveling to Tallahassee to lobby the state’s top officials about regulations affecting Keys fisheries

– and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.

In a previous feature written for the 2017 Seafood Festival, then-Weekly editor Sara Matthis described Orr as “the best archetype of a commercial fisherman that we know.” And in a ceremony befitting a man who spent his life working on, and advocating for, the ocean and its creatures, Bennett made his final return to the sea last Dec. 1. Orr’s ashes were placed inside a biodegradable container and lowered inside a lobster trap into the area of the reef where he made his living as a commercial fisherman.

With his passing late last year, the Weekly reached out to more than a dozen of Orr’s closest friends and family members, asking them to remember him in their own words. Beyond his accomplishments and the causes he supported, every single person we spoke to revered Bennett’s character, integrity and humble nature. From the many thoughts we’ve received in previous articles about Bennett, these stuck out the most:

1-2. From the moment he arrived in the Keys five decades ago, Bennett Orr became a champion for commercial fishermen in Marathon and beyond, serving as the former president and constant ambassador for the Organized Fishermen of Florida. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

3. Through the years, Orr became the unofficial Marathon Seafood Festival historian. He was known for keeping one copy of every T-shirt since the festival started producing them.

4. A flag-adorned lobster trap, marked by a buoy and flowers, delivers Bennett Orr’s ashes to their final resting place on Dec. 1, 2023.

LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

THURSDAY:

Live

MONDAY:

TUESDAY:

Tacos

Live

WEDNESDAY:

($15-$20

Live music:

FRIDAY:

SATURDAY:

Live

SUNDAY:

BOGO

Live

Unlike other Florida festivals that bill themselves as a “seafood” event, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is the real deal.

Forty-eight years ago, the festival was organized by commercial fishermen. The same holds true in 2024 as the fishermen offer the bounty of the sea, prepared using timetested recipes.

BY THE NUMBERS

SMOKED

2,750 CONCH FRITTERS

1,000 POUNDS

MAHI MAHI

Mahi fish fillets will be the fish of the day on the heaping plates of fried goodness. Alive, the fish has a stunning iridescent coat of blue-green colors. Cooked, it’s a clean white meat with a mild taste and firm body.

KEY WEST PINKS

Shrimp found in local waters can grow to enormous sizes — think small lobster. At the seafood festival, they are served steamed, sprinkled with spices and ready to peel, or fried. The shrimp are sweet, plump and tasty.

LOBSTER

Fresh from Keys waters is the Florida spiny lobster, nothing like its northern cousin from Maine. Our “bugs” don’t have claws, nor do they grow as large, and the meat is a bit saltier, sweeter and chewier than the Maine variety.

STONE CRAB

Stone crab meat is sweet and delicious and most commonly served with mustard dipping sauce. Did you know the fishery is renewable? Fishermen take only the claw before putting the crab back in the sea.

CONCH FRITTERS

1,500 POUNDS

1,000

Note: Numbers are approximate.

Conch is a shellfish, carefully harvested from gorgeous pink-lipped shells. The fish is cut into tiny pieces, or ground, then tenderized. It’s added to the fritter batter and dropped into boiling oil, served piping hot with a side dish of red cocktail sauce. A note: conch served in the Keys is not harvested here, as the practice has been illegal for several decades.

CONCH CEVICHE

Ceviche is like a cold salsa made with raw fish. By the time it’s done marinating in the base of lime juice, however, the meat is considered “cured.” Ceviche also features a healthy dose of fresh cilantro and onion.

NEW ADDITIONS

Besides the staples of the Marathon Seafood Festival, the food tents have seen new additions in recent years. More than 300 pounds of fried shrimp sold out within hours at the last three Seafood Festivals, so you can bet they’ll be back in 2024. Joining the tasty crustaceans are fried oysters, blue crab cakes and fish tacos, a popular addition in 2022. There are even rumors of lobster cakes being added to the menu this March. Landlubbers, don’t worry: there are still plenty of terrestrial options like burgers and fries to be found!

SHRIMP

STONE CRAB CLAWS

MAHI MAHI

40 GALLONS OF SHUCKED OYSTERS

CRAB CAKES

30 GALLONS CONCH SALAD

30 GALLONS CONCH CHOWDER

300

FISH DIP

Dive into Florida’s Coral Reef with Mote Marine Lab!

Since 1993, Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in protecting Florida's Coral Reef through science-based restoration techniques.

Learn more by attending one of our weekly tours at one of our three Key's locations. Scan the QR code to reserve a spot at your preferred location.

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Visitors will find a plethora of vendors at the Marathon Seafood Festival, and many are as nautical-minded as their customers. Artists and craftsmen of all varieties show off the very best of their wares, bringing art and the ocean together as one. Here is just a small sample:

BUCK NAKED’S SEASONINGS

Booth A | chefbucknaked.com

“Chef Buck Naked’s Seasonings” on Facebook

Buck Naked’s Seasonings offer allnatural low-sodium Florida Keys spice blends and dry rubs – the locals’ favorites! The spices are hand-crafted and locally created by Chef Buck Naked and his family to elevate food’s natural flavors. The company believes that “when you cook, love, care and consideration are the most important ingredients,” and their chefs have mixed the essence of these beliefs into every bottle of Buck Naked’s Florida Keys Seasoning. Take home the “true flavor of the Keys.”

EARTH TO OCEAN

Booth 13 | earthtoocean.com

@earthtoocean on Instagram

Earth To Ocean was founded by Staci and Bryan, a couple from the Jersey Shore, in March of 2011. For the past nine years, Puerto Rico was their home during the winter months, where their daily routine was beachcombing, fishing and surfing. After beachcombing together for years and competing to find the best treasure, they decided to put their hobby and abundant sea glass collection to good use. The artists work with genuine sea glass that has been collected from daily hunts in Puerto Rico. Wire wrapping and drilling are the couple’s specialty, but they work with customers to create their own perfect pieces.

BULLSEYE BOW

Booth 93 | bullseyebow.com

@bullseyebowshop on Instagram

Bullseye Bow

is a family-owned business that launched in 2013. The company designs and produces toy bows and arrow sets with a unique guide hole for easy shooting. Arrows are made with a soft foam tip that makes them not only colorful, but safe as well. The bows come in eight vibrant camo print colors, and Bullseye Bow’s lineup now features a more advanced “pro” trainer model.

KEYS PATIO

Booth 100-102 | keyspatio.com

“Keys Patio” on Facebook

Jamie & Missy Bailey, Key Largo locals and owners of Keys Patio, bring a fresh take on sustainable poly lumber outdoor furniture. With colors that complement the Keys’ blue skies and sandy beaches, and styles well beyond the classic Adirondack, Keys Patio furniture is not only beautiful but also is designed to withstand Florida’s harsh saltwater environment. All products are made in the USA, manufactured with UV stabilizers and 316 marinegrade stainless steel hardware, and backed by a 20-year limited warranty. With 27 colors and items that include surfboard tables, gliders, bars, pool lounges, dining sets, fire pits, ice tables, sectionals and custom sizes, the options are endless.

Please: No pets Service Animals only

MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK EVENT MAP

Ste Castro(Kathira)

MAIN ENTRANCE

LOCAL TAXI AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY PARK

EVENT PARKING: Stanley Switlik Elementary, 3400 Overseas Hwy. and neighboring lots

KMART parking lot: 5561 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL 33050

Transportation being provided by Island Trolley Tours: $5/per person hop on & off all day and $10 per parking space (all day)

HOURS: 10 a.m to 9 p.m Saturday • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

ADMISSION: $5 • Children under 12 free with paying adult. Free on Sunday with Military ID

Festival

Marathon's Professional Commercial Fishermen

Harvesting local seafood for Marathon and the rest of the world for more than 50 years.

Proud sponsors and founders of the Original Marathon Seafood Festival.

Dedicated to the preservation of Marathon's commercial fishing heritage and the protection of its commercial fishermen and their families.

Paul Lebo, President

Eddie Cordova JR, Vice President / Director

Carlos Moreira, 2nd Vice President

Rick Turner, Alternate Director

Elizabeth Prieto, Secretary / Treasurer

and the rest of the O.F.F. family

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT…

HAVOC 305

3 P.M. TO CLOSE, Sunday

New to the Seafood Fest lineup this year is Havoc 305, South Florida’s Top 40 cover band. They have been playing favorite hits spanning the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and today. For more than 15 years, the band has played in some of South Florida’s most popular venues and clubs as well as high-profile corporate events, weddings and festivals.

Almost as memorable as the taste and smell of succulent seafood at the festival is the sound of the bands that rock the Marathon Community Park amphitheater from morning to night on both days of the festival.

Bring a chair and your dancing shoes as you prepare to take in the local lineup.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

JOHN BARTUS & ADRIENNE Z

11 a.m. Saturday

This pair of singer/songwriters brings quite a variety of classic rock as well as John and Adrienne’s original songs from their CDs. Expect anything from quiet acoustic numbers to all-out rockers!

THE LADY A BLUES BAND

1 p.m. Saturday

Lady A, with her strong, earthy blues vocal style and harmonica playing, has carved a place all over Florida in the ’80s and ’90s. Now, the band has returned to the beloved Florida Keys ready for action.

I-LAND VIBE

3 p.m. Saturday

There are many bands in South Florida that claim to be reggae bands because of the popularity of the Jamaican music form, but the members of I-Land Vibe prefer to think of the group as a Caribbean band since reggae is not the only music form in the islands.

THE MARSHALL MORLOCK BAND

5 p.m. Saturday

One of Key West’s most talented young performers, Marshall Morlock performs with his three-piece band, playing many past music hits and favorites. They will get you dancing and moving with their high-energy music and performance.

THE RED ELVISES

7 p.m. to close Saturday

In 1995, Igor Yuzov dreamed that Elvis Presley came to him and told him to start playing rock ’n’ roll. Igor and his Russian friends became the Red Elvises. Evolving over the years, their music has been labeled “Siberian surf rock,” with humorous lyrics and grooves that force their audiences to dance. Over the past 20 years, the Red Elvises have toured all over the world and produced 12 studio albums.

BRIAN ROBERTS

11 a.m. Sunday

Brian performs more than 300 gigs each year from Key West to Key Largo. He continues to write original songs, such as “Semi-Tropical Reasons,” “Barefoot Balladeer” and “All Of This Way.” His music embodies a unique island-rock genre and is a perfect blend of acoustic music and the island lifestyle.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

1 p.m. Sunday

Southern Stampede features a passionate group of musicians dedicated to bringing back rock, funk and blues while featuring original music and covers to fit any venue. Led by AJ Gaytan, the four-piece band based in Homestead cranks out Texas blues and soulful tunes – it’s a feeling, not a style.

PILES

Wide variety of Boat Lift Styles and Con gurations

Custom made Parts & Accessories: Boarding Platforms, Catwalks and Dock Bumpers

WE COVER THE WATERFRONT

Main Of ce: 94401 Overseas Highway, Tavernier Open Mon-Fri

Second Location: 30933 Avenue A, Big Pine Key Open Tues/Wed/Fri

Games & Rides

ADULTS COME FOR THE SEAFOOD AND THE MUSIC. KIDS ONLY HAVE TWO THINGS ON THEIR MIND: GAMES AND RIDES.

THIS YEAR, THE ORIGINAL MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE ALL THE TIME-TESTED FAVORITES FROM YEARS PAST.

THE RIDE FEES RANGE FROM $3 TO $10 AND THE ATTRACTIONS ARE SET UP IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK.

STUNT JUMP

Climb up to a platform 25 feet in the air and then hurl yourself to land on a huge inflatable “bag.” It’s good for adults, too (up to 250 pounds). With 86.2% certainty, we can say this game will be the runaway hit of the kids’ corner.

QUAD JUMP/BUNGEE JUMP

The Quad power jumps can only be called fun. Jumpers are set up in a state-of-the-art harness, connected to the patented bungee cords and raised up for a jumping good time. Cushioned by bounce pads, jumpers can get up to 32 feet high.

SHUTTLE SLIDE

This inflatable two-story slide, in the shape of a rocket, has been coming to the Marathon Seafood Festival for, oh, as long as we can remember. Kids enjoy the climb and then the thrill of barreling down to the bottom.

ROCK WALL

Both kids and grown-ups gravitate to the rock wall. At more than 25 feet high, it’s an extreme climbing experience. The safety features include a four-sided auto-belay system. Look for a $50 prize waiting at the top of the wall.

THE MELTDOWN

Similar to the hit show “Wipeout,” participants will make their way across foam platforms as they duck, dip, dive and dodge spinning obstacle arms.

FACE PAINTING

The classic artistic expression.

Photos: Sandra Lee Photography

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TAKE YOUR DRINKING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

If there’s one ‘sport’ Marathon as a city could go pro in, it’s drinking, and locals probably won’t make a fuss if you call the city a drinking town with a fishing problem. In recognition of the island’s proud tradition of pairing succulent seafood with ice-cold beer, the Marathon Chamber of Commerce is proud to once again offer two sizes of refillable beer mugs at the 48th Original Marathon Seafood Festival. The larger mug is built to hold 22 oz. of your favorite frothy de-

light, while the regular mug holds 14. Previously available as a “locals-only” sale, the larger mugs will now be available for all guests at the Seafood Festival.

Standard mugs are $7, with refills at $4 for Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra and $6-8 for other craft offerings. The larger mugs are $10 with refills ranging from $5 to $10. In addition to Michelob, this year’s festival will offer the Waterfront Brewery’s Crazy Lady blonde ale.

REASONS WE LOVE THE ORIGINAL MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

When a festival has been around for nearly five decades, there’s a reason – it means the organizers have “the formula” right. Cold beer, fresh seafood and top-notch live music draw thousands to Marathon Community Park, but for locals, the Fest is so much more than that. So, from your locallyowned media company, here are our…

10) Oysters and draft beer are natural aphrodisiacs.

9) The opportunity to see real, live commercial fishermen out of their natural habitat and on land.

8) The $5 gate fee is the best deal in the entire Florida Keys – and probably the only thing that hasn’t gone up with inflation.

7) Carefully situated in an undisclosed location inside the festival rests an ice-cold volunteer keg whose very existence is known only to the old-timers.

6) Commemorative T-shirts denoting Seafood Fest experiences.

5) An abundance of lemons, butter and friendly law enforcement.

4) Saturday night + beer tent + Red Elvises + fresh mahi = fisticuffs and unbridled merriment.

3) Tan lines. So many tan lines.

2) The inevitable baby boom that occurs in Marathon every December as a result of the Fest.

1) Catching up with old and new friends as we raise tons of cash for local scholarships.

SEAFOOD FUELS SCHOLARSHIPS

Beyond the fun and food at the Marathon Seafood Festival, proceeds from the weekend are vital in funding scholarships for graduating Marathon seniors. Both the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and the Marathon chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida choose Marathon High School seniors each year to award with grants for pursuit of higher education. Keys Weekly took some time to catch up with a few scholarship recipients from the class of 2023 and see where they are now:

TRINITY JACOX

Trinity Jacox graduated from MHS in 2023 with an associate's degree and is now diving into English and criminology for her undergraduate work at Florida State University. The Chamber scholarship has significantly eased her financial burdens, particularly housing costs, and she said this support has allowed her to immerse herself in her studies and university life without financial worries. “I am beyond grateful for the community backing, which has given me the space to follow my passions and discover where I belong at Florida State," she said.

Adapting to life in Florida's capital after growing up in a small-town island environment has been challenging, but Jacox has embraced new experiences with enthusiasm as she is actively engaged with the community by joining Florida State Women's Student Union and the Phi Sigma Pi Honor Society.

"I am so happy I was able to find my place on campus and find other academically-driven, like-minded individuals," she said, but admitted that being away from her family and the ocean is challenging. "I always look forward to returning to the Keys; I find comfort in reuniting with my loved ones," she said.

Jacox has many fond memories of listening to live music and eating fresh conch fritters. "The Seafood Festival is a staple for the Keys, and I hope to bring my college friends to experience it as well," she said.

CASEY HORVAT

Casey Horvat is a classmate of Jacox’s at Florida State University. Though he originally headed to Tallahassee intent on a career in music, he said his plans have completely pivoted.

“When I got to college, I realized I would prefer not to have music as a profession. Instead, I’m now focusing on pursuing a medical field,” he said, adding that his Chamber scholarship funds allowed him to purchase books and cover class fees for his first semester. “Over the summer term I am taking classes to prepare me for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam so that I can become a certified EMT. After that, I plan on continuing to become a paramedic or attending nursing school to become a nurse practitioner.”

Horvat said he’s enjoying the freedom of living away from home – especially being able to eat whatever he wants, arguably the best part. He admits he misses being away from friends and family, and said he has fond memories of working the smoothie booth from the MHS Thespian Society at past Marathon Seafood Festivals.

Original Marathon Seafood Festival

NICK HIGGINS

More than one stage actor earned a Chamber scholarship in 2023, and current University of Florida freshman Nick Higgins headed up to Gainesville following his MHS career as a student, actor and director. Higgins told the Weekly his scholarship money is still in his college savings account, but he hopes to tap into some of it to help fund his study abroad trip to Rome this summer.

The now-Gator is majoring in political science and intends to enter the legal field after college – though he’s not sure yet what type of law he’d like to specialize in. “The legal field piqued my interest at the time, and I thought, why not?” he said. “It was something I hadn’t necessarily

RILEY McDONALD

The 2022 Homecoming Queen and 2023 MHS graduate recently returned home to pass on her crown to the Class of 2024. A current UCF freshman, Riley used her Chamber scholarship money to help defray tuition costs. “Before my senior year, my dad and I worked together to really figure out what I wanted to do,” she said. The process worked, she told us – she’s currently majoring in advertising and public relations, with the goal of working as a publicist after graduation, and that goal hasn’t changed through her first year of school.

Though she said she’s loving building her own life on the mainland in an entirely new environment, the worst part of leaving Marathon for her was “realizing

that you’ve grown up. It’s bittersweet.” McDonald said she calls at least one of her parents, the Weekly’s own Sean and Tracy McDonald, nearly every day. When it comes to the Seafood Festival, she said one memory sticks out above all others –or at least, one phrase.

“I went there once with my grandma before she passed away, with both my brothers, and she kept imitating the guy who gets the kids to climb the rock wall –‘Wanna win 50 bucks?’ She did that voice the rest of the day. I miss her a lot, and when I took my brother there my junior year, I just remember him really trying to win the 50 bucks on that wall. I had no money, but I kept giving him everything I had to keep trying.”

thought about before, but people told me that I’d do well in that field.”

Higgins said he’s enjoying getting away from the “monotony” of a set school schedule for seven hours a day, but says the increased freedom comes at a cost. “You’ve got a lot of things on your schedule at all times, and if you miss any one of them, you could be in big trouble,” he said.

Like Horvat, Higgins said he enjoyed working in the festival’s smoothie booth throughout his high school years, and might even make the trip down in 2024 to help out for the second day of the festival.

MALACHI HAWKINS

The Dolphins’ star running back amassed hundreds of yards under Friday night lights in Monroe County before heading to the University of West Florida to continue his football journey. His career plans are fitting for the gifted athlete: he’s majoring in health and fitness science, with plans of becoming an athletic trainer after graduation.

“Ever since I really got into fitness, that’s what I knew I wanted my job to revolve around,” he said.

Hawkins used his Chamber scholarship money to pay for his meal plan and college courses, but managed to put some away in his savings account. He said he has loved leaving the Keys and “going to something bigger to see what’s out there, but the worst part is you’ve still got school, and you’re more on your own.”

His favorite memory from the Original Marathon Seafood Festival? “I loved food eating contests against my friends.”

SEAN HALE

Though Sean Hale may be in Orlando at the moment, he says his number one goal is to get back to the Keys and continue making a living working on boats.

Hale told the Weekly his O.F.F. scholarship money has lent a helping hand as he pays his rent and car insurance while attending the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando. When finished, he’ll be certified as a mechanic for Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha outboards, and he said he can’t wait to come back and work at Shelter Bay Marine, where he began his mechanic journey in high school.

ANTHONY GUERRA

Upon graduation, Anthony Guerra went straight to work for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, where he said he used his O.F.F. scholarship money for equipment and advancements in his career.

Throughout high school, Guerra told the Weekly he expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, and may eventually transition to a job in law enforcement. But today, he said he’s “very much in the middle.”

“I’m interested in what my dad does, but it’s hard, because I really got in tune with the Aqueduct Authority. I like working there – it’s very much like a family,” he said. “When you graduate

Inspired by other DIY boaters and skilled mechanics who’ve made good money by sharing their skills online, he said he’s heavily considering starting his own YouTube channel once he’s back established in the Keys. He told the Weekly that the best part of leaving Marathon after high school has been the opportunity to “make my own future and my own money,” but that it comes with a trade-off: “I’d rather be in the Keys than Orlando!”

As far as Seafood Fest memories go, Hale said he enjoyed walking around with friends every year and checking out the rides, “especially that big rocket ship they used to have.”

FISHER COLEMAN-SAYER

Fisher Coleman-Sayer was a threesport star during his time at Marathon High, but he truly excelled on the links at the Florida Keys Country Club, and this past fall he took his talents to Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland to join the Mountaineers’ golf team on an academic and athletic scholarship.

Coleman-Sayer’s O.F.F. scholarship funds went straight to his tuition at “The Mount,” helping propel his studies as he pursues a degree in philosophy, political science and economics. He took an interest in law during his sophomore year of high school, and he told the Weekly he plans to attend law school after graduation with the

high school, it’s so easy to answer what you want to do, but then you start looking at everything it realistically takes to qualify for different jobs.”

Away from the halls of MHS, Guerra said he doesn’t exactly miss doing school work. But for him, the worst part of graduation was looking back retrospectively on the time and memories from high school. “It’s a special experience that sometimes people take for granted,” he said.

When asked about his favorite Seafood Fest memories, Guerra laughed. “You go there every year, and there’s always something hysterical that happens when you’re hanging out with your friends.”

hope of working in civil litigation.

Although he said it’s been tough to leave his family and close friends in the Keys, he told the Weekly it’s been exciting to start a new journey in life as he furthers his education and progresses “towards being an adult.”

In the years of attending the Seafood Festival as he grew up in Marathon, he said he has great memories helping his grandmother volunteer at the sweets booth. And like McDonald, Coleman-Sayer said the rock climbing wall is an unforgettable memory: “No matter where you are at the festival, it’s impossible not to hear that voice. ‘Wanna win 50 bucks?’ I tried one time, but I never won it.”

CRANE POINT HAMMOCK & NATURE CENTER

The museum features several exhibits, a nature path to the gulfside shore, gift shop and a restored Conch home available for tour.

It is also home to the Marathon Wild Bird Center. MM 50.5, gulfside / cranepoint.net / 305-743-9100

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

This facility offers visitors a variety of ways to enjoy dolphins. There are several exhibitions daily, plus packages to interact with the dolphins more closely. The center has about 25 dolphins, three sea lions and a splash park for kids. MM 59, gulfside / dolphins.org / 305-289-1121

and the hospital to learn about sea turtles indigenous to the Florida Keys. MM 48.5, gulfside / turtlehospital.org / 305.743.2552

LAGOON ON GRASSY KEY

Reimagined in 2020, the Lagoon on Grassy Key has rapidly expanded its offerings for environmentallyconscious recreation and dining. The complex features a wakeboard park, full service board sports pro shop, mangrove trails, multiple gardens and Bongos Cafe and Botanical Beer Garden. MM 59, oceanside / ridethelagoon.com / 305-414-8245

ATTRACTIONS

FLORIDA KEYS AQUARIUM ENCOUNTERS

Guests submerge in huge, saltwater tanks with a variety of reef fish and creatures, plus feed larger fish (like sharks!) through a small opening. Sting ray and nurse shark encounters are offered, plus a lagoon swim, and the aquarium began on-site manatee rehabilitation just last year. MM 53, gulfside / floridakeysaquariumencounters.com / 305-407-3262

HISTORIC PIGEON KEY

Once used as a camp for workers constructing the 7 Mile Bridge, the tiny island two miles out is now a marine science camp, research facility and historical monument. With the Pigeon Key Express train now operational, visitors can catch a ride from the parking lot of the Seven Mile Marina/former Salty’s property. MM 47, gulfside / pigeonkey.net / 305-743-5999

TURTLE HOSPITAL

This Middle Keys facility does many things — it rescues injured sea turtles, rehabilitates them and returns them to the wild when possible, and educates visitors about the animal and its plight. Visitors can tour the turtle pens

PARKS

OLD 7 MILE BRIDGE

Reopened in January 2022 after a six-year closure, the newly renovated Old 7 Mile Bridge is a Marathon icon, perfect for walking, running and biking. Offering arguably the best sunset views in Marathon, the two-mile bridge is also the connection between the city and Historic Pigeon Key. It’s located on the south end of Marathon’s gulfside.

MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK

This city-owned park features a playground, ball fields, basketball and tennis courts. It also has an amphitheater and is the site of town festivals, such as the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. It’s located at U.S. 1 and 36th Street.

OCEANFRONT PARK

Marathon’s newest passive park features a kayak launch and oceanfront boardwalk with information panels about our native habitat and marine life. It’s a perfect spot for fishing or simply enjoying an ocean breeze, plus there’s a fenced dog park, too. It’s located behind City Hall between 98th and 99th streets on the oceanside.

ROTARY CHILDREN’S PARK

The Rotary Park was a true labor of love as the Marathon community came together with hundreds of volunteer hours to complete the build throughout the summer of 2022. The new park includes elements for big and little kids alike, and several elements are handicapped-accessible. It’s located on U.S. 1 between 75th and 76th streets, oceanside.

BEACHES

SOMBRERO BEACH

This city-owned beach is the jewel of the Middle Keys. It features a long, white beach, clear blue waters, restrooms, a playground, picnic pavilions, fishing pier and volleyball courts. Located at the end of Sombrero Beach Road (near MM 50).

CURRY HAMMOCK STATE PARK

This state park is more popular among kayakers and paddleboarders than sunbathers. It’s within paddling distance of several beautiful mangrove islands and a pristine white sandbar. The park features a playground, restrooms and picnic pavilions. And it’s been discovered by kiteboarders. Crawl Key, just north of Marathon (near MM 56).

COCO PLUM

This oceanside beach is left almost entirely in its natural state and facilities are minimal. It’s popular among dog owners and shell collectors. It has fewer visitors than other area beaches and is often deserted. Located on Coco Plum Drive, Marathon (near MM 54).

DATES

• March 9-10: Original Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park.

• March 14: “DISENCHANTED!”

opens at Marathon Community Theatre; runs through April 6th.

• March 17: Key Colony Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 5 p.m. from Sunset Park to First Street and East Ocean Drive.

• April 13: Seven Mile Bridge Run.