Cedar Key Blog

60 Minutes To Feature Cedar Key Marine

2012-01-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

While there is no formal rule against it, the military tries to avoid having more than one family member serving in combat at the same time. CBS's "60 Minutes" will air a report on five sets of real brothers in combat Sunday, Jan. 8. Joshua Beans of Tampa and Daniel Beans of Cedar Key are amoung them.
Watch the video...

Seahorse Key Holiday Lighthouse Tour

2011-12-07T13:20:00.000-05:00

The Seahorse Key lighthouse will be open to the public Saturday and for the first time in recent history will be decorated for the holidays. Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge officials have agreed to open the lighthouse on Seahorse Key for Holiday Light(house). However, the tower will remain closed during the event. Volunteers in period-dress will interpret the history of the lighthouse and explain the lifestyle of those who lived at and tended the lighthouse. During Saturday’s opening from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. hot cocoa and cookies will be served.
Seahorse Key is only accessible by boat. Visitors must arrange their own transportation to and from Seahorse Key. Tour shuttles will be available for hire from the Cedar Key boat basin.

42nd Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival

2011-10-13T13:10:00.000-04:00

The 42nd Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival returns this weekend featuring dozens of local food vendors and more than 250 arts and crafts exhibitors. Organizers are expecting 15,000 visitors to attend the festival. Food vendors and live music will be located in the beachside City Park, arts and crafts will be located along Second Street, and the parade on Sunday will travel down Gulf Boulevard to the City Marina. Seafood items will include smoked mullet, clam fritters, fish sandwiches, crab cakes, and of course Cedar Key clams.

Proceeds raised during the festival this year will help pay for the safety patrol to go to Washington D.C., the junior class to put on a prom and the Future Business Leaders of America to attend a conference. This year the Florida Gulf Safe Seafood program has provided the festival with a $2,000 marketing grant to promote seafood that state agriculture officials said is safe to eat.

Chamber of Commerce Auction This Weekend

2011-08-31T12:56:00.000-04:00

The Cedary Key Chamber of Commerce will hold it's biggest fundraiser of the year this weekend. The annual live and silent auction will be held at the historic Island Hotel. The list of items up for bids include a wedding (or wedding vow renewal) package and contributions from local artists. The auction will begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call the chamber at 352-543-5600.

Seahorse Key Open House This Weekend

2011-07-07T12:46:00.000-04:00

Seahorse Key is part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and is normally closed to the public to protect wildlife. Saturday’s open house will be an opportunity for visitors to get a close-up look and tour of the lighthouse built there more than a century ago on a 54-foot-tall dune.

The open house will run from 9 am to 4 pm. Seahorse Key is only accessible by boat and visitors will need to arrange their own ride, either by paying for a tour boat from the Cedar Key dock, renting a boat or taking their own boat.

July 4th Celebration

2011-07-01T12:42:00.000-04:00

The innaugural “Celebrate Cedar Key” will kick off with a parade at 10 am on Monday, followed by festivities at City Park, including live music, and games throughout the day. A variety of food will be offered , such as clam fritters, crab cakes, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, smoothies and more. There will be a dunking booth, clam-bag races and a fish pond. A free “Pirate School” will teach kids how to get their sea legs, talk like a pirate and search for treasure. Fireworks will follow at dark and will be launched from Cemetery Point.

Celebrate Cedar Key To Replace Clamerica This Year

2011-06-25T12:33:00.000-04:00

Cedar Key's annual July 4 Clamerica Celebration has been canceled, due in part to financial reasons, but the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce has organized a replacement festival. Celebrate Cedar Key will be held in the city park and will feature fireworks, parade, live music, food, games and other events on July 4 just as Clamerica has done in previous years.

Cedar Key Named Best Boating Town

2011-06-23T12:26:00.000-04:00

U.S. Recreational Boating Industry has announces hte top 10 states for boating, and not surprisingly Florida topped the list. The spotlight town was Cedar Key, which was featured because it attracts anglers and bird watchers in addition to boaters. Full story...

Tony's Seafood Wins Best Clam Chower For 3rd Year Straight

2011-06-10T12:08:00.000-04:00

It's official, Cedar Key still has the best clam chower. Tony's Seafood has won "best clam chowder" the third consecutive year in the 30th annual Knorr Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, R.I. The cook off had about 15,000 attendees. Tony's served about 150 gallons of chowder in two-ounce samples to the tasters. This was the last entry in the competion for Tony's - the three time win places Tony's in the competion's hall of fame.

Chef Eric Jungklaus is working on a deal that could put Tony's chowder in nationwide restaurants.
The recipe is secret, of course, but Cedar Key clams are plentiful in the chowder, which also has butter, cream, and garlic along with a secret spice blend. Oh, and hold the sherry.
Tony's is located at 597 Second St.

Cedar Key Restaurant to Compete in Chowder Cook Off

2011-05-17T10:48:00.000-04:00

The Newport Yachting Center’s 30th Annual Knorr® Great Chowder Cook-Off on June 4 is open to local, regional and international. The winners get bragging rights and nearly $10,000 in prizes and awards . The event features chowder from the nation's best chefs who serve samples to thousands of chowder loving festival attendees who also act as judges. Tony's Seafood Restaurant of Cedar Key took first place for their clam chowder last year, and will attempt to keep their crown again this year.

Cedar Key Art Festival Scheduled For April

2011-02-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

The Cedar Key 47th Annual Fine Arts Festival will be held on April 2nd and 3rd, 2011. A juried art show with over $10,000 in prize money and purcahce awards. Features paintings, sculptures, jewelry, crafts, ceramics, textiles, photography and more. Downtown area. Cedar Key Arts Center. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 352-543-5400. visit http://www.cedarkeyartsfestival.com/ for more information.

5th Annual "Tin Can Tourist" Today

2011-01-30T08:25:00.003-05:00

Dozens of Tin Can Tourists who are pulling their vintage campers into Cedar Key this weekend for their fifth annual gathering at Isle RV Park, 11850 State Road 24, Cedar Key.

On Saturday, from 10 am - 3 pm restored and refurbished campers, including airstreams, built between the 1940s and the 1970s will be open for public tours at no charge.

Help Make Cedar Key "Coolest Small Town" in America

2011-01-23T10:23:00.003-05:00

Budget Travel has named Cedar Key one of the top 20 "Coolest Small Towns" in America as part of an ongoing contest. As of this Tuesday, Cedar Key is int 5th place. You can help Cedar Key win by casting a vote. Polls close on Feb 11, 2011, and the winner will be announced in the September issue of Budget Travel Magazine.

What defines a cool small town? According to BT: The town must have a population under 10,000—we're talking small towns, not big cities. It's also got to be on the upswing, a place that's beginning to draw attention—and new residents—because of the quality of life, arts and restaurant scene, or proximity to nature. And cool doesn't mean quaint. We want towns with an edge, so think avant-garde galleries, not country stores.

Lighthouse Will Be Open For Seafood Fest

2010-10-16T09:20:00.002-04:00

During this weekend's annual Seafood Festival there will be an open house at the historic Seahorse Key lighthouse. The lighthouse is part of the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge and is only open twice a year because the island is closed to protect bird habitats. Shuttle boats from the City Marina will be available to transport visitors.

The Cedar Key Seafood Festivial is October 16-17, 2010 at the City Park. This annual festival offers over 200 arts and crafts exhibits, delicious local seafood, live musical entertainment day and night, and a parade on Saturday morning.

Stone Crab Season Underway

2010-10-16T08:57:00.000-04:00

Stone crab season starts today and runs through May 15th 2011. Stone crabs are Florida's only renewable seafood resource, according the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Stone crab claws are harvested and the body is returned to the water to generate new claws. Both claws of a stone crab may be harvested if they are of legal size, although this practice makes it difficult for the crab to defend itself from predators.

Stone Crab Rules
■No females with eggs
■2 3/4-inch claw
■Open season: Oct. 15 - May 15
■Bag limit: 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less

Stone Crab Harvesting Gear
■It is unlawful to use any device that can puncture, crush, or injure the crab body, such as spears, grains, grabs, hooks, or similar devices
■Maximum of 5 stone crabs traps per person as described in the summary of stone crab trapping rules below

Stone Crab Trapping Rules
■5-trap maximum
■Buoy must have a legible "R" at least two inches high, permanently affixed to it. Buoys are not required if trap is fished from a dock.
■Trap shall have harvesters name and address permanently affixed to it in legible letters.
■Traps must be pulled manually. Any vessel that is rigged with a trap puller will be considered a commercial vessel and the appropriate licenses will be
required.
■Traps must be pulled only during daylight hours.
■Traps must not be placed in navigational channels of the Intracoastal waterways, or in navigational channels maintained and marked by any county, municipal, state or federal
governmental agency.
■A Florida recreational fishing license is required to harvest stone crabs under the recreational fishing regulations.
■Stone crab trap specifications are the same for recreational and commercial harvesters.

The popularity of the Florida stone crab has grown again in recent years and is considered to be one of the best varieties to eat, as well as one of the more expensive.The claws are prepared in the same manner as blue crab claws.The bodies of these crabs are relatively small and so are rarely eaten, but the claws which are large (more like a lobster than a crab) and strong enough to break an oyster's shell, are considered a delicacy. Harvesting is accomplished by removing one or both claws from the live animal and returning it to the ocean where it can regrow the lost limb(s). To be kept, claws must be 2.75 inches long, measured from the tips of the immovable finger to the first joint. If both claws are legal size they may both be taken. Studies by the state of Florida have shown that removing both claws do not harm the Florida stone crab in any way when removed properly. In fact numerous studies have shown that by removing both claws, Florida stone crabs are forced to eat sea grass which has been proven to be more healthy for their diet and regenerate their claws faster and female Florida stone crab have more baby stone crabs since they are unable to fend off the advancements of the male crabs. These studies are what caused the State of Florida to change the laws to allowing two claws to be removed instead of just one.

Cedar Key Seafood Festival Oct 16th & 17th

2010-09-26T15:30:00.001-04:00

The 41st Annual Seafood Festival in Cedar Key will be October 16th and 17th, 2010 from 9-5 each day. This major annual event features over 200 arts and crafts exhibits, and great local seafood in City Park. There will be live musical entertainment at several places around town during the days and nights, and a parade on Saturday morning. In addition on this weekend, there is an open house at the lighthouse on Seahorse Key, the big island 3 miles to the west of Cedar Key. Explore the lighthouse, look at the exhibits and wander this beautiful island. Shuttle boats are available at City Marina.

July 4th Clamerica Celebration

2010-06-26T15:23:00.000-04:00

The 7th Annual Clamerica Celebration will be held on July 4th at the city park featuring clam bag races, clam hunts, cultured clam cook-off, live music, races, parades, free concerts, and colorful fireworks.

Tony's Seafood Takes 1st Place In Chowder Cook Off

2010-06-16T15:11:00.001-04:00

Tony's Seafood competed in the 29th annual Newport Yachting Center’s Knorr Great Chowder Cookoff to defend their "Best Clam Chowder" title. The annual event was held in Newport R.I. and contestants came from all over the country to compete in three major categories: clam, seafood and creative. Tony’s Seafood took home its second straight championship for the "Best Clam Chowder". Tony's Seafood is located at 597 2nd Street in Cedar Key.

Original Florida Highwaymen Will Highlight Art Festival

2010-04-16T15:06:00.002-04:00

R. L. Lewis, one of the original Florida Highwaymen, will be displaying his work at the 46th annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts Festival.

Lewis painted a scene from the island in 2004, but has never been to the island - it was based on a photograph. He decided to join the event after selling a painting to a resident of Cedar Key who suggested that he finally come to the area. In addition to the art on display, Lewis will be showing some techniques to visitors at the event.

The festival will be held on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Annual Art Festival April 24th & 25th

2010-03-26T14:59:00.003-04:00

More than 100 artists will compete for $10,000 in prize money and another $10,000 in purchase awards. Second Street will become a pedestrian mall for this weekend, with both sides lined with booths displaying art and fine crafts including oils, acrylics, prints, jewelry, ceramics, photography, stained glass, woodwork, sculpture, fiber and textiles.

At the City Park children can enjoy sidewalk chalk art, face painting, a playground and the beach. Stop at the park and listen to live music while you picnic on seafood delights like Tony's World Champion Clam Chowder.

Festival Web site: www.cedarkeyartsfestival.com

Cedar Key Will Benefit From Federal Grant

2010-02-21T10:19:00.001-05:00

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that the North Florida Broadband Authority (NFBA) has been awarded more than $30 million to improve real to Broadband and high-speed connectivity for a 14-county region designated as a Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC) in North Florida.

Part of the Economic Stimulus Package, this money is dedicated to creating infrastructure projects that serve communities and jumpstart economic opportunity. The communities served by this Authority include: Baker County, Bradford County, Cedar Key, Columbia County, Cross City, Gilchrist County, Hamilton County, Jefferson County, Lake City, Levy County, Live Oak, Madison County, Monticello, Putnam County, Suwannee County, Taylor County, Union County, White Springs, Perry, Wakulla County, and the City of Worthington Springs.

Cedar Key Named "Rural Community of the Year" By USDA

2010-01-26T13:38:00.000-05:00

The U. S. Department of Agriculture has named Cedar Key Florida's Rural Community of the Year. There's no finanical prize, but the award helps local businesses and tourism.
Contributing factors to the award were recent city improvements, including the addition of a parking lot commercial fishermen and clammers that freed up parking space for recreational boaters and the renovation the the "Big Dock".

Federal officials will formally present the award on Feb. 3 and deliver a sign for the city to erect at the city limits. The ceremony begins at 1:30 outside City Hall followed by a homemade-desserts social.

AAA Offers Free Transportation New Year's Eve - Don't Drive Drunk!

2009-12-31T14:26:00.001-05:00

AAA Auto Club South is offering transportation for party-goers who've had too much to drink on New Year’s Eve. The free service, available throughout Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, is intended as a last resort for those who haven't made designated driver arrangements. Through the weekend, AAA's network of drivers will be offering a free tow to anyone who has had too much to drink.

When people call 1-800-AAA-HELP, a driver will show up and give them — and their vehicle — a ride home.

Stone Crab Cake Recipe From Joe's Crab Shack

2009-10-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

Tis the season ... stone crab season, that is!

Stone crab season officially opened this week - time to visit your favorite seafood restaurant, or whip up a tasty dish at home. This recipe from Joe's Crab Shack is easy (despite the long ingredient list), and fresh stone crab is plentiful right now at your local seafood market.

Joe’s Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Caper Remoulade

Makes six 4-oz. crab cakes

4 oz. jumbo lump crab meat
4 oz. lump crabmeat
4 oz. (½ cup) mayonnaise
½ tsp. Joe’s Mustard Sauce (see below)
½ tsp. scallions, chopped
¼ tsp. garlic, chopped
½ tsp. shallots, chopped
Dash Tabasco sauce
½ tsp. lemon juice
2 egg yolks, 1 each
1 tbsp. Panko Bread Crumbs
Pinch kosher salt
Pinch ground pepper
Pinch Old Bay seasoning
Pinch garlic powder
Pinch onion powder

Green Tomato Caper Remoulade

4 oz. mayonnaise
½ tbsp. green tomatoes, diced
¼ tsp. sugar
1 tsp. capers
1 tsp. cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. shallots, chopped
1 tsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. lime juice
¼ tsp. Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp. sour cream

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate.

Mustard Sauce

1 tbsp. Colman’s dry mustard, or to taste
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. A-1 Sauce
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
Salt to taste

Place the mustard in a small mixing bowl. Whisk in the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, A-1 Sauce, cream and a pinch of salt. Mix until well blended and creamy. Chill the sauce, covered, until serving.

Florida Stone Crab Season Opens Today

2009-10-15T10:16:00.001-04:00

Today marks the beginning of stone crab season, good news for fisherman and retaurant patrons.

Stone crabs are Florida's only renewable seafood resource, according the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Stone crab claws are harvested and the body is returned to the water to generate new claws. Both claws of a stone crab may be harvested if they are of legal size, although this practice makes it difficult for the crab to defend itself from predators.

Stone Crab Rules
■No females with eggs
■2 3/4-inch claw
■Open season: Oct. 15 - May 15
■Bag limit: 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less

Stone Crab Harvesting Gear
■It is unlawful to use any device on the taking of stone crabs that can puncture, crush, or injure the crab body, such as spears, grains, grabs, hooks, or similar devices
■Maximum of 5 stone crabs traps per person as described in the summary of stone crab trapping rules below

Stone Crab Trapping Rules
■5-trap maximum
■Buoy must have a legible "R" at least two inches high, permanently affixed to it. Buoys are not required if trap is fished from a dock.
■Trap shall have harvesters name and address permanently affixed to it in legible letters.
■Traps must be pulled manually. Any vessel that is rigged with a trap puller will be considered a commercial vessel and the appropriate licenses will be
required.
■Traps must be pulled only during daylight hours.
■Traps must not be placed in navigational channels of the Intracoastal waterways, or in navigational channels maintained and marked by any county, municipal, state or federal
governmental agency.
■A Florida recreational fishing license is required to harvest stone crabs under the recreational fishing regulations.
■Stone crab trap specifications are the same for recreational and commercial harvesters.