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To our visitors at the Original Marathon Seafood Festival:
Now in its 50th year, what began with local commercial fishermen in Marathon as a way to get together and celebrate the fruits of their labor is now an amazing event that attracts more than 15,000 people every year. From humble beginnings, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival has blossomed into an event that now has over 200 volunteers, more than 200 vendors and involves many local groups and agencies that help put the fun, family-friendly festival together.
Each year, more than $75,000 in event proceeds find their way back to charitable organizations such as local food banks, daycare centers, cancer research and medical assistance, scholarships, youth sports and many more.
This year I cannot help but to refl ect on the commercial fishermen and their families who founded this iconic event. Our T-shirt artwork this year is dedicated to them – as you will see, we included their fishing buoys and numbers. As we remember their efforts and contributions, we are proud of where we have taken this great event, and hope you will experience it with us this year for our 50th anniversary.
So enjoy the live music, unique gifts, art, libations, games and rides, and most importantly the freshest seafood in the world. Come on over and visit us Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15 at Marathon Community Park.
On behalf of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce board of directors, as well as our event co-organizers, the Organized Fishermen of Florida (Marathon Chapter), we hope you and your family have a wonderful time at the 50th annual Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Sea you at the fest!
Sincerely,
Daniel Samess, M.S.
CEO, Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Magazine photography by Natalie Danko and contributed images
THE FESTIVAL TURNS 50
Marathon’s biggest party started to celebrate shermen in 1976
By Alex Rickert
Fifty years ago, the first Original Marathon Seafood Festival wasn’t held at Marathon Community Park. It was held on the grounds of the Marathon Bank –now known as the Publix plaza by Sombrero Beach Road.
The attractions looked a bit different –a ferris wheel, “Dunk-a-Fisherman” and mud wrestling made appearances in the first years of the Fest, for starters – but five decades later, core components like time-tested recipes, an affordable $5 admission and putting one of the Keys’ finest industries in the spotlight still define the weekend-long celebration.
The idea began in 1976.
“The feds and the state were starting to squeeze us a little bit, and we didn’t have any money to go to meetings,” said Tim Daniels, then president of the Marathon chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida, the first festival organizer.
He said the first Fest was born from a trio of causes: raising money for the chapter, providing scholarships to local graduates, and putting a bit of shine on the relationship between Marathon and its commercial fishermen.
“Fishermen are pretty hardcore. It’s a different way of life – tough, rough and beer-drinking,” he said. “We did this because we wanted to get involved in the community, and have a big seafood festival to let everyone enjoy it. We were the number one industry in the county, but we’d seen a change coming (to tourism). We didn’t need the notoriety, but we wanted to be involved.”
What started from scratch turned into a festival that saw more than 4,000 visitors in its first year, Daniels said – maybe even 5,000 or 6,000, depending on who you ask. And whenever the fishermen had a need and reached out for a helping hand, the answer was always “yes.”
“Leo Cooper at City Fish helped us set up and have his market all day to have a place to clean the fish, and Gary Graves at Keys Fisheries did the same thing –gave us everything we needed to store the food, the ice,” Daniels said. “We boiled potatoes, made baked beans and all that stuff.”
Billy Tyner, another commercial fisherman, tapped into his talent for carpentry, building every booth the festival needed. Bill Daniels at Marathon Bank provided the grounds for Fest, used for years before stops at the Marathon Airport and eventually the community park. The Marathon Chamber of Commerce stepped in to provide dozens of volunteers to staff the weekend, later taking a larger role in planning and organizing the festival.
“There were probably 200 of us (that put it together),” Daniels said. “But all those names should be up in lights. They were a must.”
And while the fishermen were the face of the festival, their wives and families were just as important. Marathon Vice Mayor Debbie Struyf, Tyner’s daughter, said she remembered hours of working in serving lines, dishing up full platters at a one-stop booth loaded with lobster, stone crab, hush puppies, fish, shrimp, conch fritters and more.
“The wives are the ones who did all the organization. They really did,” she said. “I give Toodie Mills so much credit, because she pretty much set everything up and ran things, kind of what the Chamber does now.”
The festival, and the food it serves, became a generational treasure, passed down like a badge of honor, Struyf added.
“Eddie Cordova is another (fisherman) I’m really proud to be associated with,” she said. “He brought ceviche in, and boy, that was a big deal when he gave me his recipe. That was my booth for five years, and my kitchen would look like a full-blown restaurant.”
More than the food, both Daniels and Struyf said, the Fest was a celebration of a way of life woven intricately into the fabric of Marathon – not just for captains or workers on the backs of boats, but for their entire families.
“They were so proud to show off what they could do and put this business on display. It brought so much attention to what they did for a living, how good it was and how difficult it was,” Struyf said. “My dad probably wished he had six sons, but he had six girls, and we all knew how to scrape traps and mend nets. But we loved it. We grew up with it, and we didn’t know anything else.”
Five decades later, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is unquestionably the Middle Keys’ marquee event, bringing more than 15,000 visitors to Marathon Community Park every March and raising more than $75,000 for scholarships and charities each year.
But when asked how it feels to be a “founding father” of sorts for a festival that’s now endured for five decades, Daniels said he doesn’t take credit for starting anything.
“Every fisherman in this town helped – and their wives and kids. Everyone deserves a nod of the hat, because it wasn’t any one single person, it wasn’t any one single business, it wasn’t any one fisherman. It was a community that came together and started it, and the community deserves the credit. The community made it work, and it’s still making it work.”
1,4. The Marathon Bank, built in the plaza that now houses Publix and Bank of America, hosts the inaugural Marathon Seafood Festival.
2. Plaid pants, boats, roller skates and swimsuits welcome guests to the 1979 Seafood Festival.
3. Ferris wheels, mud wrestling and more all made appearances at early iterations of the Seafood Festival.
5. Billy Tyner, known for building all the booths needed to serve thousands of guests at the festival, enjoys the fruits of O.F.F.’s labor in 1976.
Photos from Keys Weekly archives and contributed images
Marathon's Professional Commercial Fishermen
From our boats...to your table.
Harvesting local seafood for Marathon and the rest of the world for more than 50 years.
Proud sponsors and founders of the Original Marathon Seafood Festival.
Dedicated to the preservation of Marathon's commercial fishing heritage and the protection of its commercial fishermen and their families.
Paul Lebo, President
Eddie Cordova JR, Vice President / Director
Carlos Moreira, 2nd Vice President
Rick Turner, Alternate Director
Elizabeth Prieto, Secretary / Treasurer
and the rest of the O.F.F. family
Over $225,000 donated to local scholarships. Currently accepting applications for 2026. Available for children of commercial shing families. See the Marathon High School Guidance O ce for more info.
Carlos Seafood
Terra Marine Park
STARFISH DESIGNS
Booth 171 | starfishdesignsfl.net @starfishdesignsfl on Instagram
At Starfish Designs, Kim Crouthamel makes hand-painted glass, art, carafes, decanters and more, all kiln-fired to preserve her art. Painted and resinfinished clocks are some of her newest creations, along with a line of painted and resin-coated tray tables, coffee tables and barstools. Find her work at Shady Palm Art Gallery or attend one of her paint parties held throughout the Keys.
CAN’T-MISS
On top of the seafood and tunes, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is a shopping extravaganza. Rows and rows of vendors offer everything from spice blends to clothing, hand-crafted jewelry and decorations, and so much more.
Among the dozens of businesses who will visit Marathon Community Park, here’s just a small sneak peek:
KADAN SWIMWEAR
Booth 165 | kadanswimwearthelabel.com @kadanswimwear on Instagram
Founded in the Florida Keys, Kadan Swimwear is a premium women’s swimwear label rooted in coastal living and designed with intention.
Handmade in South Florida, each piece is thoughtfully crafted to fl atter, support and move comfortably from boat days to beach afternoons.
“As women, we want swimwear that’s fun and flattering without sacrificing comfort,” said Marathon owner and designer Shauna Caletka. “I designed Kadan to move with you – to feel simple, natural, and easy, just like life in the Keys.”
MAVKA PERMANENT JEWELRY
Booth P | mavkajewelry.com
@keywest_permanent_jewelry on Instagram
Owner Mila operates her permanent jewelry brand based in Key West, creating delicate, everyday pieces in sterling silver and gold to celebrate special moments – vacations, friendships, family trips, bachelorette parties, or just island life. She offers a huge variety of chains and charms, so every piece can be customized and made truly special. Her goal is to help people take a little piece of the island with them wherever they go.
VENDORS
SPOOKY CRAFT COCKTAILS
Booth 1 | spookybeverages.com
@SpookyCraftCocktails on Instagram
SPOOKY Craft Cocktails creates nationallyrenowned fresh-tasting natural cocktail mixes, including six unique and innovative Bloody Mary recipes, espresso martinis, margaritas, pina coladas, Old Fashioneds and many others. Just add spirits to bring your cocktails to life or enjoy mocktails without the booze. Owned by two families with Midwestern roots and a shared passion for mixology and the culinary arts, the company’s owners love to enjoy great food and tasty drinks with family and friends. The business is based in Bonita Springs, Florida.
SATURDAY
John Bartus & Adrienne Z
11 a.m.
This pair of singer/songwriters, known together as Jade Storm, brings quite a variety of classic rock as well as John and Adrienne’s original songs from their CDs. Expect anything from quiet acoustic numbers to all-out rockers.
I-Land Vibe
1 p.m.
There are many bands in South Florida that claim to be reggae bands because of the popularity of the Jamaican music form. But the members of I-Land Vibe prefer to think of the group as a Caribbean band, since reggae is not the only music form in the islands.
Abstract Radio
3 p.m.
This rock cover band based in Marathon features a pair of twin Marathon High School graduates. Formerly known as Misery Loves Company, they put their own flavor on rock, funk and pop covers, drawing influences from musicians such as Rush’s Alex Lifeson, the Foo Fighters and John Mayer.
The Marshall Morlock Band
5 p.m.
One of Key West’s most talented young performers, Marshall Morlock performs with his three-piece band, playing many hits and favorites. They will get you dancing and moving with their high-energy music and performance.
Amber Leigh
7 p.m.
Singer/songwriter Amber Leigh has spent every chapter of her life on stage. The South Florida native was beside the stage in a playpen while her father, a musician himself, performed. She then fronted her own band by the age of 10. Now living in Nashville, she performs more than 200 shows per year across the country.
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
An all-day celebration like the Marathon Seafood Festival calls for a worthy soundtrack. From the first notes in the morning to the final encore each night, the Marathon Community Park amphitheater comes alive with danceworthy hits from the best local bands. Grab a lawn chair and your dancing shoes and settle in for a stacked backto-back lineup of musical prowess.
SUNDAY
Dan Sullivan 11 a.m.
Dan Sullivan came to the Keys from frigid Alaska in 1989 to play a wedding and decided to never go home again. His arsenal of songs cover a repertoire of genres – he can kick up his feet with country and can always get loose with a little rock and roll. His song list includes covers of the greatest hits as well as his own written and performed work, like “Left My Troubles Laying in the Road,” “The Marathon Song,” “Storm Front” and “She Wants to Drive a Cadillac.”
Danny Regalado with Fuego Soul 1 p.m.
Fuego Soul delivers a unique mix of funk, rock, Latin and jazz. The group features a powerful horn section that sets them apart. Their music ignites familiar grooves with a soulful edge, delivering infectious energy and nonstop feel-good vibes.
The Red Elvises 3 p.m.
In 1995, Igor dreamed that Elvis Presley came to him and told him to start playing rock ’n’ roll. Igor and his Russian friends became the Red Elvises and gave street performances on Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade. As their crowds grew larger, the city of Santa Monica ordered them to discontinue their street performances. Evolving over the years, Igor’s music has been labeled “Siberian surf rock,” with humorous lyrics and grooves that force his audience to dance.
MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK EVENT MAP
Main Entrance Here
VENDOR DIRECTORY
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2026
Alpaca Bella Fina Ranch 4
Amy's Alohas M
Art on the Spot 104
Bajio Sunglasses U
Fishbone Designs N FL Keys Mosquito Control 127 FL Keys Mosquito Control 128
Flamingo Adventures 17
Kiln it with Clay 95
Kip Kennedy 166
KW Spice Co. 16
Lily Lough Jewelry 114
Bajio Sunglasses V
Baptist Health/Fishermans Hospital 18
Bath Fi er 89
BHHS Keys Real Estate 65
BNK Island Creations 45
Bob Hewes Boats 92
Bob Hewes Boats 93
Bob Hewes Boats 94
Buck Naked A
Camp Out 21
Camp Out 22
Camp Out 23
Camp
CardWave
Charmed O
of Marathon 155
168 Coconut Cri ers 41 Coconut Cri ers 42
Coldwell Banker Schmite Real Estate 113
Conch Auxiliary Radio
Emergency Services 7
Conch Republic Marine Army 72
Crane Point Museum 90
Cruise Planners - Diane 157
Crushable Hats 143
Cutco Cutlery 152
Daisy's Dog Collars 81
Dawgone Licious 170
Dead Wood Studio G
Dead Wood Studio H
Decks & Docks 160
Division of Marine Fisheries
Dolphin Research Center 115
Down South Patriot 146 Down South Patriot 147 Earlusion 91 Earth to Ocean 13
Meaty Morsels 133 MEM Wellness & Beauty 58 Million Air 124
Mom & Pops Maple 169 Moose Lodge 53
Mote Marine 64
Mount Sinai Medical Center 123 Nature Cra W Nature Cra X
Creationz 122
Hemp Hats! by SunnyLife 50
Hemp Hats! by SunnyLife 51
Hillbilly Candle Company 33
Homestead Miami Speedway 132
Hotwire 140 I. CARE 38
Islamorada Honey Company 125
Ivs in the Keys 57
Jeanne Storeim I
Jet Lag Dive Charters K
Jim's Metal Artwork 44
Jordans Outdoor Fun 106
Jordans Outdoor Fun 107
Kadan Swimwear 165
Keez Beez, LLC S
Key West Greeting Card Shop 116
Key West Island Wear 29
Key West Island Wear
Keys
Keys Coco Plum Jams
Keys Deck & Docks 11
Keys Deck & Docks 12
Keys Greens & Things 134
Keys Patio 100
Keys Patio 101
Keys Patio 102
Nature Cra Y
New Creations 76
Newcoast Financial 117
Noel Skiba Art 31
OK Cuban Sazon 105
OnBoard Band-It 47
OnBoard Band-It 48
One Stop Hats 111
One Stop Hats 142
Our Burnt O erings 75
Palm and Chain Permanent Jewelry 43
Parking Lot Pirates 138
Party 105.7/Keys
WhiteBait Ma ers
WhiteBait Ma ers 67
WhiteBait Ma ers
Southeast Marine
Marine Construction
Let Grimi Betancourt help protect your home, boat and everything in between.
Lighter, dotted-looking pattern. This claw was regenerated.
Smooth, unbroken, defined lines. This claw is an original.
COMEBACK CLAWS?
How to tell whether your meal is an original – or regenerated
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X Other features include news releases, Florida Currents magazine, and FKEC’s live
By Alex Rickert
Sure, they all taste delicious, but not all stone crab claws are created equal.
As many know, South Florida’s prized crabs are considered one of the more renewable fisheries; by harvesting only claws, fishermen give the living crabs a chance to survive and regenerate their pinchy defense mechanism. Growing a new claw can take one to two years depending on the crab’s age and diet – younger crabs molt more often, giving the claws their own chance to grow.
Believe it or not, there’s a way to tell whether the delicacy on your plate is an original or second-time-around claw. On the inside of the claw, there are lines with a fingerprint-like pattern. If the lines are smooth and unbroken, you’re munching on an original claw. If the lines look more like morse code dashes with multiple breaks, it’s regenerated.
Surviving to grow a new claw is no easy feat, which makes removing claws correctly even more important. If a claw is broken off incorrectly, the wound won’t seal, leaving the animal to bleed out. While pros know how to break claws off by hand, there’s a safer way to get the job done. Simply insert a knife or other sharp object into the soft tissue on the inner joints of the crab’s claw, and the crab will “drop” the claw as a defense mechanism, giving the greatest chance for a clean break.
At D’Asign Source, whether you’re remodeling, furnishing your space, or crafting the home of your dreams— inside and out—we’ve got you covered. Our expansive 25,000-square-foot showroom brings everything under one roof, with expert staff ready to guide you every step of the way. Visit us today and start turning your vision into reality. 305-743-7130 | DAsignSource.com | 11500 Overseas Hwy, Marathon | MM 53
IT’S A SEAFOOD CELEBRATION
Unlike other Florida festivals that bill themselves as a “seafood” event, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is the real deal.
MAHI MAHI
Mahi fish fillets will be the fish of the day on heaping plates of fried goodness. Alive, the fish has a stunning iridescent coat of blue-green colors. Cooked, it’s a clean white meat with a mild taste and firm body.
KEY WEST PINKS
Shrimp found in local waters can grow to enormous sizes — think small lobster. At the seafood festival, they are served steamed, sprinkled with spices and ready to peel, or fried. The shrimp are sweet, plump and tasty.
LOBSTER
The Florida spiny lobster is nothing like its northern cousin from Maine. Our “bugs” don’t have claws, nor do they grow as large, and the meat is a bit saltier and chewier than the Maine variety.
Fifty years ago, the festival was organized by commercial fishermen. The same holds true in 2026, as the fishermen offer the bounty of the sea, prepared using time-tested recipes.
STONE CRAB
Stone crab meat is sweet and delicious and most commonly served with mustard dipping sauce. Did you know the fishery is renewable? Fishermen take only the claw, which regrows, before putting the crab back in the sea.
CONCH FRITTERS
Conch is a shellfish, carefully harvested from gorgeous pink-lipped shells. The fish is cut into tiny pieces, or ground, then tenderized. It’s added to the fritter batter and dropped into boiling oil, served piping hot with a side dish of red cocktail sauce. A note: Conch served in the Keys is not harvested here, as the practice has been illegal for several decades.
CONCH CEVICHE
Ceviche is like a cold salsa made with raw fish. By the time it’s done marinating in the base of lime juice, however, the meat is considered “cured.” Ceviche also features a healthy dose of fresh cilantro and onion.
NEW ADDITIONS
Besides the staples of the Marathon Seafood Festival, the food tents have seen additions in recent years. Fried shrimp have sold out within hours for the last few years, and they’ll make another appearance in 2026. Joining the tasty crustaceans are fried oysters, blue crab cakes and fish tacos, a popular addition in 2022. Landlubbers, don’t worry: There are still plenty of terrestrial options like burgers and fries to be found!
BY THE NUMBERS
2,000 lobster tails
1,000 blue crab cakes
300 smoked fish dip
30 gallons of conch salad
30 gallons of conch chowder
2,750 conch fritters
1,000 pounds of shrimp
1,000 stone crab claws
1,500 pounds of mahi mahi
40 gallons of shucked oysters
MARINE THEFT PREVENTION
• Install motion sensor lights. Make sure areas around the boat are well lighted
• Install sur veillance cameras and make sure they will capture the face of an intruder. Cameras are often installed too high and only capture the top of a suspects head or the brim of the hat he is wearing.
•
• Install a GPS tracking device on your boat and/or engines.
• Disconnect the batteries to disable the trim / tilt function. Keep the engine down, touching the ground so the lower unit can’t be removed.
• If the boat is on a trailer, chain the rims together or boot one of the wheels to prevent the boat and trailer from being stolen.
• Keep a trailer hitch lock on at all times
• Install bolt locks on the engine or put extra-long engine bolts on and bend the ends.
• Destroy the threads on one bolt so the nut can’t be removed.
• Keep valuable electronics in a secure location. It might be a hassle, but it will same you thousands of dollars in the long run.
• Take pictures and record serial numbers if available.
• minute - literally - to take it
• deputies will keep an eye on your property while you are away. If you see anything suspicious, call the Sheri ’s O ce immediately! It is our job to check out suspicious ac tivity. Your call may be the one that helps us catch the bad guys!
If you see something you think may be suspicious. Call
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Enjoy the convenience and privacy that only private aviation can offer
Arrive in the Heart of the Florida Keys
Land minutes from fine dining, world class fishing, and everything the Keys are known for - without the congestion.
By Jen Alexander
SUPPORTING OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Local seafood, all-day tunes and endless shopping are reason enough to bring a community together for one of the most highly-anticipated weekends of the year. But there’s more behind the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Proceeds from the day are funneled directly into scholarships awarded by the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce and the Marathon chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida to Marathon High School seniors every year. The funds can be used in the pursuit of each student’s higher education – whether that means college, vocational training or tech schools. Here are just a few of the recipients from the Class of 2025:
Vida Pereira is navigating her freshman year at Florida Gulf Coast University. While she is now deep into her finance studies, Vida’s foundation remains built on the connections she fostered back home. She credits her resilience to the simple power of friendship, noting that laughing with her peers helped her "push through life" more than she realized.
Beyond the classroom, Vida carries fond memories of local traditions like the Marathon Seafood Festival.
“I remember all the colorful booths, amazing food and fun live entertainment,” she said. “It was something I really looked forward to every year.”
She told us that her scholarship provided the "breathing room" necessary to truly engage with her new environment.
“The scholarship money has helped me live in the moment on campus and explore without worrying so much about finances,” she said.
Vida extended her sincere thanks to Marathon High School, the Marathon Rotary Club, the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys for championing her transition to college life.
Now a biology major on the premedical track at the University of Florida, David Ornelas carries with him the "unique experiences and opportunities" provided by the dedicated teachers and staff at MHS.
David’s local roots run deep, from childhood memories of the Marathon Seafood Festival to serving as salutatorian for the Class of 2025. His memories of the event trace his growth from a child playing on the bounce houses to a dedicated student leader. He fondly recalled two years of working the festival's smoothie tent with the International Thespian Society: “It was so fun to work the tent with my friends and talk to both locals and visitors.”
Today, that community spirit supports him in Gainesville through vital scholarship funding. By removing financial barriers, this aid allows David to focus entirely on the intensive sciences required for his future medical career. "The scholarship has allowed me to fully engage in my academic work and long-term goals," he said. David extended a sincere thank-you to the Marathon Chamber of Commerce for their meaningful vote of confidence in his potential.
Leo Mendez is embracing the energy of Tampa as a freshman at the University of South Florida. While he is now focused on global business with a concentration in finance, Leo’s foundation was built on teamwork and community service back home.
His most cherished memories center on four years of varsity baseball. “Being out there on the diamond with my best friends was something to look forward to every day,” he said. That spirit of community extended to the Marathon Seafood Festival, where Leo spent years volunteering with his team and the senior class. These experiences provided a vital foundation for his transition into the professional world.
Today, scholarship support ensures a smoother path at USF, allowing Leo to focus on his academic goals as he narrows in on specialized studies. Leo shared a special shout-out to Chamber CEO Daniel Samess for being a great role model and extends sincere gratitude to the Marathon Chamber for its investment in his future.
VIDA PEREIRA Chamber of Commerce
DAVID ORNELAS Chamber of Commerce
LEO MENDEZ Chamber of Commerce
GAVIN LEAL
O.F.F. & Chamber
Up at Florida Atlantic University, Gavin Leal is turning a lifelong passion for animal care into a career. As a biology/pre-vet major, his most helpful lessons happened during on-the-job training, particularly while assisting local vet Dr. Mike Dunn daily after class. “I was able to learn a lot, and that really helped in the direction I decided to take in college,” he said.
Gavin comes from a commercial fishing family, and his community ties span from days on the water to years on MHS’ district champion baseball team. He fondly recalled his evolution at the Marathon Seafood Festival, transitioning from a child enjoying local food to a student leader volunteering with his teammates.
Today, local scholarship support, including checks from both O.F.F. and the Chamber, has made his transition to FAU significantly smoother by covering his entire first year of tuition.
“This allowed me some breathing room to save for future years,” he said. Gavin is incredibly grateful to the organizations that recognized his hard work and local heritage, providing the foundation for his future in veterinary medicine.
For Zyan Wiggins, the leap to Florida Atlantic University has been a masterclass in self-discovery. Reflecting on her first months at FAU, Zyan said the most rewarding part has been growing into herself while maintaining deep ties to home.
“Some of the best relationships are maintained even with busy schedules and late-night study sessions,” she said.
Growing up in the Florida Keys provided a unique backdrop for her education, from aquarium field trips to cherished time with family. She sent a special shoutout to her grandma, Ms. Evelina, for her unwavering support along the way.
This transition to college life was made significantly easier by her community’s generosity. “The money has been a tremendous blessing,” she said, allowing her to focus entirely on her studies with financial pressures alleviated. Zyan extended her sincere thanks to the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Wiley’s WileyArt scholarship and the Marathon Community Theatre for investing in her success.
BOATS TO YOUR PLATE!
FISHERIES RESTAURANT
& MARINA
WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
World Famous Lobster Reuben, house-made soups and chowders, fresh fish sandwiches, and rotating daily specials — all served with front-row views of Florida Bay. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
RETAIL STORE
Fresh fish, house-made soups/chowders, and our famous Key lime pie — ready to take home.
JOIN US AT OUR UPSTAIRS RAW BAR
ZYAN WIGGINS Chamber of Commerce
Serving our community and the world for 65 years
Marathon Rotary Club has lunch meetings on Wednesdays at noon, and Companion Club meetings at 5:30 on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month. Join us for fun and service!
For more information: www.marathonrotary.org or scan this QR code
GAMES & RIDES
Adults are all about the seafood and music. But for kids growing up in Marathon, their first memories of the Seafood Festival start in the games and rides corner of the field at Marathon Community Park. Along with time-tested favorites, the 2026 Fest will have a few new additions, with the majority of rides offered for less than $10.
QUAD JUMP/BUNGEE MELTDOWN
The quad power jumps can only be called fun. Jumpers are set up in a harness, connected to the patented bungee cords and raised up for a jumping good time. Cushioned by bounce pads, jumpers get vertical and test out their own aerial tricks.
SHUTTLE SLIDE
This inflatable two-story slide, in the shape of a rocket, has been coming to the Marathon Seafood Festival for, oh, as long as we can remember. Kids enjoy the climb and then the thrill of barreling down to the bottom.
ROCK WALL
If you’ve been to the Seafood Festival, you know the line: “Wanna win 50 bucks?” Both kids and grown-ups gravitate to the rock wall. At more than 25 feet high, it’s an extreme climbing experience. The safety features include a four-sided auto-belay system. Look for a $50 prize waiting at the top of the wall.
ALIEN BLASTER GAME
Take your aim at moving intergalactic invaders with foam dart guns. Defend the planet!
FISHING GAME
You don’t have to go on the water to hook a great catch at the Seafood Fest. Toss your “hook” in the pond and fish for prizes.
BOUNCE HOUSE
Climb on in and jump to your heart’s content.
ROPE LADDER CHALLENGE
Test your balance and climbing ability with this fair staple.
FACE PAINTING
The classic artistic expression.
•
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
CRANE POINT HAMMOCK & NATURE CENTER
The museum features several exhibits, a nature path to the gulfside shore, gift shop and a restored Conch home. It is also home to the Marathon Wild Bird Center. MM 50.5, gulfside / cranepoint.net / 305-743-9100
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER
This facility offers a variety of ways to enjoy dolphins. There are several exhibitions daily, plus packages to interact with the dolphins more closely. The center has dolphins, harbor seals, sea lions, birds and a splash park for kids. MM 59, gulfside / dolphins.org / 305-289-1121
FLORIDA KEYS AQUARIUM ENCOUNTERS
Guests submerge in huge, saltwater tanks with a variety of reef fish and creatures, plus feed larger fish (like sharks) through a small opening. Sting ray and nurse shark encounters are offered, plus a lagoon swim, and the aquarium has on-site manatee rehabilitation. MM 53, gulfside / floridakeysaquariumencounters.com / 305-407-3262
HISTORIC PIGEON KEY
Once used as a camp for workers constructing Henry Flagler’s railroad through the Keys, the tiny island two miles out is now a marine science camp, research facility and historical monument. With the Pigeon Key Express train now operational, visitors can catch a ride from the parking lot of the Seven Mile Marina/former Salty’s property. MM 47, gulfside / pigeonkey.net / 305-743-5999
TURTLE HOSPITAL
This Middle Keys facility does many things — it rescues injured sea turtles, rehabilitates them and returns them to the wild when possible, and educates visitors about the animal and its plight. Visitors can tour the turtle pens and the hospital to learn about sea turtles indigenous to the Florida Keys. MM 48.5, gulfside / turtlehospital.org / 305.743.2552
LAGOON ON GRASSY KEY
Reimagined in 2020, the Lagoon on Grassy Key has rapidly expanded its offerings for environmentally-conscious recreation and dining. The complex features a wakeboard park, full service board sports pro shop, mangrove trails, multiple gardens and Bon-
gos Cafe and Botanical Beer Garden. MM 59, oceanside / ridethelagoon.com / 305-4148245
MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE & CINEMA
Established in 1944 as a traveling troupe, MCT now boasts the only live theater and cinema showing first-run movies within a 50-mile radius. Each community theater “season” from July through June offers four full-length main-stage productions, along with monthly Drag Queen Bingo, murder mysteries, dance classes and showcases, children’s theater camps and numerous onenight events. MM 49.5, oceanside / marathontheater.org / 305-743-0994
DATES
• March 14-15: Original Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park.
• Now through March 21: “Little Shop of Horrors” at Marathon Community Theatre. “Wait Until Dark” opens April 16.
• March 17: Key Colony Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 5 p.m. from Sunset Park to First Street and East Ocean Drive.
• April 11: 7 Mile Bridge Run.
OLD SEVEN MILE BRIDGE
Reopened in January 2022 after a six-year closure, the renovated Old Seven Mile Bridge is a Marathon icon, perfect for walking, running and biking. Offering arguably the best sunset views in Marathon, the two-mile walking segment is also the connection between the city and Historic Pigeon Key. It’s located on the south end of Marathon’s gulfside.
MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK
This city-owned park features a playground, ball fields, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts, with a new skate park on the way in 2026. It also has an amphitheater and is the
site of festivals, such as the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. It’s located at U.S. 1 and 36th Street.
OCEANFRONT
PARK
Marathon’s newest passive park features a kayak launch and oceanfront boardwalk with information panels about native habitat and marine life. Pickleball courts are on the way. It’s a perfect spot for fishing or simply enjoying an ocean breeze, plus there’s a fenced dog park. It’s located behind City Hall between 98th and 99th streets on the oceanside.
ROTARY CHILDREN’S PARK
The Rotary Park was a true labor of love as the Marathon community came together with hundreds of volunteer hours to complete the build throughout the summer of 2022. The new park includes elements for big and little kids alike, and several elements are handicapped-accessible. It’s located on U.S. 1 between 75th and 76th streets, oceanside.
SOMBRERO BEACH
This city-owned beach is the jewel of the Middle Keys. It features a long white beach, clear blue waters, restrooms, a playground, picnic pavilions, fishing pier and volleyball courts. Located at the end of Sombrero Beach Road (near MM 50).
CURRY HAMMOCK STATE PARK
This state park is more popular among kayakers and paddleboarders than sunbathers. It’s within paddling distance of several beautiful mangrove islands and a pristine white sandbar. The park features a playground, restrooms and picnic pavilions. And it’s been discovered by kiteboarders. Crawl Key, just north of Marathon (near MM 56).
COCO PLUM
This oceanside beach is left almost entirely in its natural state and facilities are minimal. It’s popular among dog owners and shell collectors. It has fewer visitors than other area beaches and is often deserted. Located on Coco Plum Drive, Marathon (near MM 54).
