Every first weekend in May, residents, visitors, family, and friends throughout Wakulla County gather in Panacea for the annual Panacea Blue Crab Festival. The 2019 edition will be held on May 3-4 in historic Woolley Park in Panacea, so get ready to pick some crab!
Be a part of a cherished Wakulla County tradition
This year will be the 45th iteration of the Panacea Blue Crab Festival. The event has evolved into one of the most beloved gatherings of the year, and one that many residents and tourists make sure to mark on their calendars early. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the abundant marine life within have been an important part of life for Wakulla County residents going back thousands of years. The blue crab has long been one of the most abundant species in the area, and the Panacea Blue Crab Festival is a way for people to gather together and celebrate this special resource and have some fantastic fun in the spring sun.
Check out all of the crabby fun happening at the festival
There are so many great activities happening at the Blue Crab Festival that you’ll want to take in as much as possible! The opener of the event is on Friday evening at 6:30 PM, where you can join in the festive Free Gospel Sing. The main festivities kick off with a crab-themed parade that travels down U.S. Highway 98 in Panacea starting at 10:00 AM on Saturday. Once the parade is over, you can head to beautiful Woolley Park on the waterfront for all of the action.
The centerpiece of the festival is all of the fresh, sweet crab that you can enjoy as you browse the activities, as well as other local seafood dishes. You can also participate in exciting contests like the mullet toss and the crab picking contest, and delight in the stylings of talented clog dancers. There will be plenty of live music throughout the day, as well as local vendors with their finest arts and crafts for sale.
Dig deeper into adventure and tradition in Wakulla County
In Wakulla County, our traditions like the Panacea Blue Crab Festival are a vital part of our culture. We invite you to come celebrate with us and to explore more of the incredible community-focused events that occur throughout the year in our area. As you travel to Panacea for the Blue Crab Festival, your Wakulla County adventures are just beginning, so start planning your journey today by checking out our variety of accommodations to suit any budget and need, and discover just how much there is to explore in our great outdoors.
