Naples boat show, seafood & music fest aims for wider audience
Tiffany Sawyer says there is no boat show like this.
That’s because the 1st Naples Boat Show Seafood & Music Festival April 1-3 at Florida Sports Park aims to combine boats with an array of musical talent and seafood vendors.
“An event of this caliber is something Naples has been missing, and we are thrilled with the talent lineup, excellent seafood vendors and of course our amazing members and dealers for this first annual event,” said Sawyer, the festival coordinator. “This is just the start of a great new Naples tradition.”
Sawyer said this show is aimed at bringing in a wider variety of people than a traditional boat show would attract.
“This one has a lot more community events and activities for everyone,” she said.
“We wanted to give more options to the community and introduce more people to the industry and we have a love of seafood and everyone loves good music.”
Sawyer said vendors will be selling everything from fresh clams and clam chowder to stone crab and seafood.
Vendors
Here’s Howe Catering is one of the vendors. Anna Howe said she is not sure yet what she will be selling.
“We are toying with different things,” she said.
Howe said it is always hard to plan when the event is a first of its kind.
“You are going in without any guarantees,” she said.
Still, she is excited to be part of this new Naples tradition.
“I think it’s great,” Howe concluded. “I think it’s a great idea. I am hoping it will be very successful.”
Marina Max, Formula Boats, Naples Marina and Sawyers Marina are some of the boat vendors that will be displaying their vessels.
Jennifer Miller, marketing and events coordinator from Marina Max, said she will be bringing Boston Whalers and Sea Rays, ranging in size from 19-27 feet.
Miller said it is great to have another chance to show off her boats in Naples because the Naples Boat Show in January was during a weekend of bad weather.
“In January we had the poor weather,” Miller said. “My shoes were soaked. Just stepping in the puddles my shoes were ruined. We did see some people, but mostly the serious boaters. This one will have much better weather.”
Miller is also excited about getting a chance to show her vessels to people that might not normally attend a boat show.
“With it being a first one with the seafood and music, I think it will draw a different crowd,” she said. “I think it will be a whole different environment.”
Sawyer said organizers hope the Naples Boat Show Seafood & Music Festival will be held annually.
Marine Industries Association of Collier
The show is being put on by the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. Proceeds benefit the Marine Industries Association of Collier County Foundation, which supports programs for recreational boating and the local marine environment.
The foundation produces the free kids fishing clinic at the Naples Pier. It also supports the CCSO Build-A-Boat Program, Freedom Waters Foundation, Friends of Rookery Bay, TEAM Ocean, Kids Don’t Float Life Jacket Loaner Program, Junior Deputy, Keep Collier Beautiful, Ricky King Foundation, and the Naples Community Sailing Clinic.
If you go
What: 1st Annual Naples Boat Show Seafood & Music Festival
Where: Florida Sports Park, 8250 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples
When: Friday, April 1-Sunday, April 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
BAND SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 1
Paul Allodi Band 11 a.m.
Lazaro Arbos & 40 Something 1:30 p.m.
Grayson Rogers 3 p.m.
Time Charron 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 2 -
The Big Sound 1 p.m.
Maggie Baugh 3 p.m.
John Anderson 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 3
Big Jim Allen & Ken Carlyle 11 a.m.
The Big Sound 1 p.m.
Casey Weston 2 p.m.
Ben Allen Band 3 p.m.
Cost:
• General 1-Day: $15
• General 3-Day pass: $40
• VIP 1-Day admission: $35
• VIP 3-Day pass: $100
Kids 7 and under free with a paying adult
Information:NaplesBoatShow.com or contact Show Director, Tiffany Sawyer at 239-682-0900.