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\nThe LCEC 5th Annual Stone Crab Music Fest \u2014 Blues & Brews will take place Sunday, Nov. 8, in the Winn-Dixie plaza in St. James City.<\/p>\n
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce (GPICC) will present the LCEC 5th Annual Stone Crab Music Fest \u2014 Blues & Brews from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in the Winn-Dixie plaza.<\/p>\n
According to GPICC President Dave Conner, the event will be the largest festival thrown by the GPICC. With that comes sponsors, such as LCEC and Suncoast Beverage Sales.<\/p>\n
\u201cLCEC does a lot for this island and we really appreciate it, so now it\u2019s LCEC Stone Crab Music Fest. Suncoast Beverage has been our presenting sponsor since the beginning. They will continue to do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The event is always planned for the Sunday before Veterans Day. Conner said most people like this Sunday event, adding that it begins at 11 a.m. and should not be in the way of too much. With stone crab season having started Oct. 15, he said much of the season is dependent on how many claws are brought in.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes hurricanes will disrupt that production, but it looks like it\u2019s been a pretty good stone crab season,\u201d Conner said.<\/p>\n
The adventure will be filled with blues music, cold beer, stone crabs, Pine Island businesses and crafters. Conner said to plan on live music all day, starting with the Mattlee Crew at 11 a.m. and the CJ Sterlace Band to follow at around 1 p.m. Frank Bang & the Secret Stash will perform at approximately 3 p.m., with RJ Howson and Friends rounding out the day at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
He predicted a fun lineup with many bands that are locally known.<\/p>\n
For football fans, there will be a sports bar area with the Miami Dolphins versus the Detroit Lions game on at 1 p.m. on the jumbotron TV.<\/p>\n
Conner said if attendees want to avoid having to walk too far to get to the event, there will be shuttles going back and forth to Truist Bank, the Island Crab and Beacon of HOPE.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can do some outside parking and catch the local taxi. There will be over 70 island businesses and organizations represented at the festival, with a great range of crafts, arts and business information. We really try to change things up every year to make it exciting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Although there will be plenty of food for everyone, stone crabs are the main feature on the menu with fresh claws, crab chowder, crab cakes and crab rolls Conner noted it would not be a Pine Island festival without mullet dips, shrimp, hot dogs and ice cream, cold beer and tropical adult beverages too.<\/p>\n
He added that there is something for everyone.<\/p>\n
A $5 donation is requested at the entrance to help support island businesses and Pine Island nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n
Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and to stay a while they soak up some island-style fun.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit https:\/\/www.pineislandchamber.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Winn-Dixie is at 9864 Stringfellow Road, St. James City.<\/p>\n