It's time for Grovetoberfest & Seafood Festival

It's that exciting time of year again, the weather cools down, the skies are brighter and the holidays are coming and to start it all off is Grovetoberfest and the Coconut Grove Seafood Festival - two back to back events on October 17 and 18, Saturday and Sunday.

Grovetoberfest takes over Peacock Park first, on Saturday, now celebrating its fifth year. Grovetoberfest has been credited with fueling the craft beer revolution in South Florida, everybody's favorite beer festival will once again serve over 300 unlimited beer samplings from around the country and around the world. Beer lovers know that this is the place to go to try new releases, tap into old favorites and take part in Timed Tappings, which offers unprecedented access to specialty brews.

The Milam’s Kitchen Lab has become a culinary tradition at this festival, showcasing award-winning, South Florida chefs eager to share their fusion, beer pairing and cooking tips. The Bougainvillea's Live Music Stage will feature South Florida favorites, and food vendors will be on hand selling everything from burgers to beer cupcakes. 

VIP Ticket holders enjoy early access at 2:30 pm and are treated to limited release beers available only at the Boulevard Brewing VIP Experience.

The festival is from 3 to 7 pm.

There are several ticket options. Pre-purchase tickets by visiting
www.grovetoberfest.com or by calling 305-461-2700. Tickets go from $40 to $90.

Now the Coconut Grove Seafood Festival, which is also in Peacock Park on Sunday, October 18 from 11 am to sundown. Coconut Grove will celebrate seafood, waterfront living and the start of the stone crab season. For the third year in a row, event organizers will bring together an array of seafood vendors offering bushels of shrimp, oysters, crawfish, lobster, stone crab, fish and clams prepared in a variety of ways.

The Casablanca Fish Market will once again overflow with fish from around the world that folks can select, purchase and take home after they’ve had their fill at the festival.The Milam’s Kitchen Lab will feature cooking demos by popular South Florida restaurants including Chef John Latrellis (Lure Fish Bar), Chef Michael Cerny (Truluck’s) and Chef Christopher Cramer (Panorama Restaurant).

Families are encouraged to come with their children, who will enjoy playing in the inflatable pirate village found in the Family Fun Zone. For those looking for a more exclusive experience, there’s the VIP Island, which will serve complimentary cocktails and food under a large tent and offer air-conditioned bathrooms. The VIP area will be limited to 500 VIP ticket holders.

To complete the fun filled day, the Coconut Grove Seafood Festival will have a constant stream of live music including calypso, steel drum, island escapism and reggae. The Festival will also feature several nautically themed exhibitors showcasing art, jewelry and home decor.

To access the festival, there is a $25 fee at the gate or you can purchase the tickets online in advance for $20. VIP tickets are $150.. Children 12 years and under enter for free. Presale tickets will be available online at a discount at www.CoconutGroveSeafoodFestival.com.