2023 Carrabelle Riverfront Festival

Make plans to join the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce for the 32nd Annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival, a fun-filled day along the beautiful historic Carrabelle Florida waterfront! Enjoy amily-friendly activities, live music, unique entertainment, colorful arts & craft vendors, and delicious food vendors, Saturday, April 22 from 10 am – 6 pm. There will be plenty of activities for the young and old along the beautiful historic harbor. This event is FREE, pet friendly, and open to the public.

New this year, festival attendees will be thrilled to meet and even compete with the Soccer Collies, a group of talented rescued Border Collies from Floral City, Florida. The Soccer Collies are a professional team of soccer-playing Border Collies that play Dog Soccer Games. They bring excitement where kids from 2 to 92 can enjoy the fun. The Dog Soccer Game is interactive entertainment with plenty of opportunities for kids of any age (and adults too) to actually participate, not just watch, as festival-goers take on the Soccer Collies. Dogs, people, and soccer equals fun.

Another fun, new addition to the festival is a children’s nautical and coastal-themed costume contest for kids up to age 15. Kids and teens can dress up in their best nautical or coastal-themed outfit and join the competition for prizes. Familiar favorites for the kids such as the children’s min-train rides and bouncy house will be back again.

Carrabelle’s very own crazy Fishy Fashion Show by Joan Matey will be returning to the Carrabelle Riverfront Festival with this season’s “Dos and Do Knots” of coastal couture. Maritime models show off nautical-themed outfits made from found and recycled materials like sea nets, old beach umbrellas, oyster sacks, sails, sponges, and washed up debris. A new outfit and character will come marching in to join fan-favorites like the Red Tide She-Devil; Saint George, the Lionfish Slayer; Clamity Jane and Saint Teresa Beach, the nun. This signature show will delight audiences all of ages and make waves of laughter and fun.

Feet will be tapping to the upbeat favorites from across the decades with talented musicians including Kevin Whoo, Cody Barber, Christy and Jess of the Bog Lilies, and Kevin Andrew and the Rockulla Performers. Guests will also be delighted by wonderful dance performances of the Tallahassee Community College Dance Company and the Forgotten Coast Dancing Witches. The entertainment doesn’t end there as there will also be fun music by DJ Beanie Baby throughout the day.

And of course the festival will feature the family-friendly Exhibitor Expo on Avenue B, hosted by the Carrabelle History Museum, with informative exhibits like a WWII military vehicle, the fire-wise cabin, shark jaws, animal skulls, and a display of Florida’s pioneer days. Visitors can meet animal ambassadors “Doofey”, a brown pelican and “Echo”, a Sulcata tortoise. In addition Avenue B will host the Pet & People Cooling Station.

Visitors can browse the over 80 festival vendors, exhibitors, and booths with interesting arts and craft items, delicious food, and local displays as well as explore the local shops, museums, and restaurants for even more choices. There will be lots of yummy food to choose from like shrimp gumbo, low country boil, conch fritters, alligator kabobs, Indian food, gyros, BBQ, plus festival treats like kettle corn, funnel cakes and shaved ice.

The Carrabelle Riverfront Festival is hosted by the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce and the community of Carrabelle, and funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council and through generous donations from community sponsors: Air Con of Wakulla, Anglers Edge Marine, C-Quarters Marina, Centennial Bank, Coastal Cottage Living, and Duke Energy.

For up-to-date information, including a schedule of activities as it becomes available, visit https://www.facebook.com/carrabelleriverfrontfestival. Come to Carrabelle and enjoy the festival, explore the local businesses, museums and galleries, and experience the beautiful waterfront.

Hosted and planned by the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce. Funded in part by the Franklin County TDC and our generous community sponsors. The festival is still seeking sponsors to support this community effort. Sponsorship info can be found at 2023 CRF SPONSORSHIP INFO.  Please contact Lori at the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce at (850) 697-2585 or chamber@nettally.com. PLEASE NOTE: ALL VENDOR SPACES ARE NOW FULL!

Road Closure, Parking and Detour info? Scroll to the bottom. 

Schedule of activities? Scroll down! 

Looking for a place to stay for the festival? Check out our Places to Stay!    Looking for ideas on places to eat while you are in town? Check out our fabulous Restaurants and Cafes!  Wanting to do a little more shopping while you are here for the weekend? Check out our Stores and Shops!

ALL TRAFFIC: ROAD CLOSURES, DETOURS, & PARKING

Road Closures: 

Friday, April 21st, at 12 pm: SE Avenue B will be closed to through traffic for festival set up.

Saturday, April 22nd, at 6 am: Marine Street and SE Avenue C will both be closed to thru traffic for festival set up. Marine Street will be closed from US Hwy 98 to SE Avenue E (at city riverwalk pavilion). SE Avenue B will remain closed.

All streets will be re-opened Sunday morning after festival breakdown & cleanup or sooner if possible. No streets will be open before 7 pm on Saturday, April 22rd.

Detours and Alternate Routes:

Boaters wishing to use the Marine Street Boat Ramp and patrons of Harry’s Bar, Marine Street Grill, Gina’s Flowers & Such, and Just Right Marine will have access by various alternate routes. Easiest route for boaters with trailers coming from the east or leaving and returning east would be via Gulf Avenue. Best route for boaters with trailers coming from the west or leaving and return west is via SE 5th Street and Gulf Avenue.

Parking:

Festival Attendees: Festival goers and vendors/exhibitors are encouraged to park (for free) at First Baptist Church, (corner of Hwy 98 & NE 1st Street), George Sands Park (corner of Hwy 98 & SE 3rd), or in the city-owned lot at 305 SE Ave C (east end of Ave C, next to the old water plant). Please leave parking on the south end of Marine Street for Boaters!

Festival parking for disabled persons: Limited parking is available for those with disabled permits behind the Coastal Realty building at 101 Marine St (corner of Marine Street and US Hwy 98). This area should be accessed by pulling in beside the WEST side of Coastal Realty’s building between Coastal Realty and SeaCrafters Emporium / Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce.

Boaters w/ trailers: Boaters are encouraged to park in the Marine Street trailer parking (found at Marine Street south of Avenue F) or side street parking as usual. Please note there will be no parking and no access or outlet on Marine Street north of Avenue E.

Carrabelle Riverfront
Marine Street
Carrabelle, FL 32322 + Google Map