FOOD & WINE FESTIVALS, SHOWS, EVENTS
2008 FLORIDA

January 17-27, 2008 The Florida Citrus Festival & Polk County Fair
Winter Haven, Florida

January 19, 2008 3rd Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival
Key West, Florida
The Florida Keys Seafood Festival purpose is to raise money for the industry association, to showcase the great localfood harvested by the commercial fishermen of the Keys, to provide scholarships to college bound children of sea commercial fishermen and to celebrate our community by bringing our families and friends together.

January 26, 2008 2nd Annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival
Port Salerno (Stuart), Florida
Situated on the picturesque Manatee Pocket, feast on fresh seafood caught and cooked by local fishermen! Meander though community exhibits, arts and crafts, a children’s activity area and live music! Free admission!

January 26, 2008 Annual Kumquat Festival
Dade City, Florida

January 26-27, 2008 International Chocolate Festival
Coral Gables, Florida
Presented by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

February 1-3, 2008 Everglades Seafood Festival
Everglades City, Florida

February 1-10, 2008 The Kingdom of Navarra Gastronomic Week
Miami, Florida

February 8-10, 2008 Delray Beach Garlic Fest
Delray Beach, Florida
Now heading into its 9th year, the Delray Beach Garlic Fest continues to offer garlic fans the opportunity to celebrate the most widely used and loved food in the world…GARLIC

February 9-12, 2008 Aquaculture America 2008
Lake Buena Vista, Florida

February 15-17 2008 Greek Festival of Polk County
Winter Haven, Florida
Our annual Greek Festival offers a taste of Greece with authentic Greek food, music, and dancing.

February 16-17, 2008 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
Cortez, Florida
Celebrate Florida’s commercial seafood industry – its past, present and future. The festival will also feature seafood, live music, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities and environmental exhibits. Annually, 3rd weekend in February.

February 21-24, 2008 South Beach Wine & Food Festival
South Beach, Florida

February 22-24, 2008 Florida Gourd Society Gourd Show
East Palatka Fairgrounds, Palatka, Florida

February 23-24, 2008 Annual Grant Seafood Festival
Grant, Florida

Feb 28 - Mar 9, 2008 Florida Strawberry Festival
Plant City, Florida

Feb 29 - Mar 2, 2008 The Boca Bacchanal Wine & Auction
Boca Raton, Florida

March 6-8, 2008 97th Annual Nat'l Coffee Assn. Convention
Aventura, Florida

March 7-9, 2008 Lions 27th Seafood & Music Festival
St. Augustine, Florida
Great seafood, live bluegrass, folk and country music, and over 100 arts and crafts exhibitors are just a few of the highlights

March 8-9, 2008 Fort Myers Shrimp Festival
Fort Myers, Florida

March 8-9, 2008 International Olive Oil Festival
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The First Annual Int'l Olive Oil Fest will be held in early spring of 2008. The location is yet to be determined.
The Olive Oil Fest plans to offer food and fun for everyone. olive oil tasting competitions, vendor booths, live ethnic music from olive oil producing nations. Also, agricultural booths, and other food exhibits in related food industries including: Wine, Vinegar, Pesto, Olive Products, Bakeries and Bread, Organic Grocers, Restaurants etc.

March 9-13, 2008 National Institute of Oilseed Products Annual Convention
Boca Raton, Florida

March 10-13, 2008 Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention
Miami Beach, Florida
The meeting place for quality cruise line decision makers and knowledgeable industry suppliers!

March 15-16, 2008 Marathon Seafood Festival
Marathon, Florida
Fresh seafood, boat show, nautical flea market, vendors, games and more. Local seafood featured: dolphin, shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, clams.

March 29, 2008 International Cane Spirits Festival
Ybor City, Florida

March 30, 2008 4th Annual Deering Seafood Festival
Palmetto Bay, Miami, Florida
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Caribbean, the freshest Florida seafood, cooking demos, art exhibits, boat rides, historic tours, and nature hikes. Activities for all ages. Admission ticket includes park entrance and entertainment only.

April 12, 2008 A Taste for Learning
Orlando, Florida
A Taste for Learning is an international wine sampling and silent auction to raise funds for Valencia student scholarships.

July 4, 2008 5th Annual Clamerica Celebration
Cedar Key, Florida
Exhibits, demonstrations, games, contests, clams and other food for the whole family. Clam bag races, clam hunts, cultured clam cook-off and live music in our waterfront park.

October 17-18, 2008 Blazin-n-Butts and Brisket BBQ Competition
Brooksville, Florida (no website)
Over 35 professional teams and more than a dozen regional “backyard” amateurs are expected to compete. Enjoy award winning BBQ, family entertainment, and exhibits! All proceeds will support the not for profit Friends of the Children. For more information contact: friendsofthechildren@gmail.com or 352-544-5495

October 17-19, 2008 Southern Breeze Wine + Culinary Festival
Rosemary Beach, Florida
The Southern Breeze Wine + Culinary Festival visits cities throughout the Gulf Coast states to share the love of fine wine, gourmet cuisine and Gulf Coast culture.

November 12-15, 2008 National Ice Cream Retailers Assn Annual Convention
St. Petersburg, Florida