Dunedin's waterfront turns into a free seafood party Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Dunedin Seafood and Music Festival takes over the marina and Edgewater Park.

The festival, better known as the Stone Crab Party, runs from noon to 9 p.m. along the downtown waterfront. Admission is free, the event is open to all ages, and parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge, according to ilovetheburg.com.

The gathering started about 15 years ago when a few friends got together to eat stone crab and drink beer with a waterfront view. Others wanted in, and it grew into one of Dunedin's most established fall traditions. Organizers described the festival's roots in the early craft beer movement, when the waterfront setting, green space, music and friends did most of the work, ilovetheburg.com reported.

Stone crab is the headliner, but the menu stretches beyond claws. Local restaurants including Olde Bay Cafe, Hog Island Fish Camp, Crabby Bills and half a dozen more vendors will be serving seafood along the water. Craft beer, cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase.

Live music runs the full nine hours.

The event is family- and pet-friendly. Organizers have spread the festival across the marina and park grounds rather than packing vendors into a tight footprint. The festival was also listed in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's roundup of food and drink events for the week of Oct. 15-22.

If you go

  • What: Dunedin Seafood and Music Festival (Stone Crab Party)
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 9 p.m.
  • Where: Dunedin Marina and Edgewater Park
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Parking: Free, first-come, first-served
  • Details: Family- and pet-friendly; food and drinks available for purchase

Upcoming community events

  • Nov. 21: Free Palm Harbor Craft Festival on Florida Avenue