John's Pass Seafood Festival returns to Madeira Beach Oct. 23–25, with a grouper fish fry the night before

The John's Pass Seafood Festival returns for its 45th year Oct. 23–25 at John's Pass Village & Boardwalk, 12850 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach. The Madeira Beach Recreation Department, which hosts the event, lists it from noon Friday, Oct. 23, through 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.

Anyone who wants a seat at the ticketed kickoff dinner needs to act first: online sales for the Gather for Grouper fish fry end Monday, Oct. 19, at 8 a.m.

Festival parking options

Where to park	Cost
City lots	$4 per hour
John's Pass Parking Garage	Event parking rates apply
Private lots	Check posted pricing
Madeira Beach City Hall, Recreation Center or Fundamental School	Free parking and free Jolley Trolley shuttle

Source: eventeny.com

What's at the festival

Organizers promise seafood from local restaurants and vendors, live music on multiple stages, and arts, crafts and retail booths along the boardwalk, with the shops and restaurants of the Village open throughout. The festival has been held since 1982.

Halloween events return this year, according to the Beach Welcome Center listing: a kids' trick-or-treat Friday night and an adult costume contest Saturday night. The same listing calls this year's festival "more than just a date change."

The grouper fish fry kickoff

The fish fry runs Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the festival address. Dinner includes fried Gulf grouper, french fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies and two beverage tickets, and the band Something Major plays from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $30 plus a $2.21 processing fee, or $32.21, on the organizer's Eventeny page. They are non-refundable, non-cancellable and non-transferable, so check plans before buying.

Getting there

The organizer points visitors to the free Jolley Trolley shuttle, which lets drivers park at no cost at one of three city sites and ride to the boardwalk. Paid options near John's Pass are listed in the table. Updates are posted at johnspassseafoodfestival.net.