Monday, April 6, 2009

Seafood Festival draws monster turnout


Even from my waterlogged vantage point in the United Way dunk tank Saturday, it was easy to see the annual DeSoto Seafood Festival was a monster event.

All those people!

"The crowds were huge," said Dave Quaderer, who has co-chaired the event the last 17 years with Rob Bell. He estimated the record turnout for the three-day bash between 40,000 to 50,000.

It seemed like that many on Saturday alone. Old Main Street and Barcarrota Boulevard were jammed.
One Night Rodeo and Tracy Byrd (see photo) were big reasons why Saturday night.

Same with Syesha and Cas Haley on Friday night.

Got to give props, as well, to Big Daddy, The Bone Shakers, Big Z Band, Dr. Dave Band and Kettle of Fish, who kept the crowds entertained at the west and south stages over the weekend.

"The free entertainment is what brings them," said Joe Miller, the outgoing Hernando DeSoto.

Folks definitely said to heck with the flagging economy for a few days.

Hopefully, the Old Main Street merchants got a shot in the arm, too, having worked out an agreement with Quaderer's committee to put up a stage at the south end of Old Main Street.

"People are tired of all the gloom and doom," said Kevin Taylor, a past Hernando DeSoto. "They just want to get out and enjoy themselves."

Visit http://www.desotohq.com/ for more on the DeSoto Heritage Festival.
-- Vin

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