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From seafood to oyster-shucking, hundreds have a reason to make the drive down the Apalachicola Bay.
“This is the first time, we heard about it and we had to come,” said Alabama resident Chris Tanner.
“I love the seafood,” said John Olggin, from Fort Walton Beach.
“Riding rides, and having a bunch more fun,” said 9-year-old Andrew Davis.
Others, like U.S Oyster Shucking Champion Scotty O’Lear stay for the competition.
“Always beautiful over here, really good competition,” he said, “the guys shuck oysters really fast so it’s always good to compete over here in Apalachicola.”
This year’s festival turned out to be the biggest in recent history, drawing hundreds to enjoy the tastes of the Panhandle.
“It’s just the atmosphere that this county gets together and celebrates what we are about,” said festival president John Solomon, “I just remember the festival and memories of it have stuck with me for my lifetime.”
While the focus is seafood, it’s all about oysters in Apalachicola. But, a recent FDA proposal to ban raw oysters 7 months out of the year has many fanatics concerned.
“If that was to pass that it would devastate this county and the industry that we grew up to live,” said Solomon, “This festival would really hurt, what would we celebrate if we had nothing to celebrate.”
Senators Nelson and Boyd have already written letters denouncing the FDA’s proposals. Until they reach a final decision, in Apalachicola, it’s still a celebration.
“They take what this county and what this area is about and how beautiful it is,” said Solomon, “and everybody that comes here seems to love it.”
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Panama City Beach could learn a few things from the Apalachicola festive. Just compare the admission and parking prices. There is no reason to try and gouge every last dollar from tourists, as Apalachiloa has demonstrated for 45 years.