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Cotee River Seafood Festival This Weekend

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The Cotee River Seafood Festival takes place in Sims Park May 9-11

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Published: May 9, 2008

Updated:

It will be a weekend of celebrating the good life on the Cotee River.

The ninth annual Suncoast Ford Cotee River Seafood Festival and Bright House Networks Boat Show promises to pack the Mothers Day weekend with a range of activities the entire family can enjoy. The May 9-11 event will be in the Sims Park- Orange Lake area of New Port Richey.

"People can enjoy the riverside park and all the activities that can launch you into spring," said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, the festival's organizer.

The event kicks off on Friday with True Oldies Night. The five-piece 60's Groove will highlight the evening with their 60's - and a little bit of 70's - rock. Richie Merritt will also perform with a salute to Motown.

On Saturday, the entertainment theme will shift to the blues with both daytime and evening performances.

Organizers will provide chairs and up-front seating for a fee of $7 for the Saturday performances by John Allen and the Cotton Gin band, Tinsley Ellis and Willie Lomax Blues Revue.

John Allen and the Cotton Gin band pay homage to the Arkansas Delta-style blues. His parents worked in the delta as cotton sharecroppers.

For blues guitarist Willie Lomax, jazz was a part of his Miami childhood. Lomax's father was a jazz guitarist who played with noted jazz artists such Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Billy Eckstein and Al Haig. The younger Lomax has had two CDs that reached the Living Blues National Radio charts. One featured Shawn Brown, who received a Real Blues Award as best vocalist of the year. Brown will perform with Lomax.

Blues rock guitarist Tinsley Ellis will headline the night with what Rolling Stone magazine called his "feral blues guitar." Ellis comes from the tradition of musical heroes such as Southern rock slide guitar master Duane Allman and bluesman Freddie King.

Since hitting the national scene with his record debut "Georgia Blue" in 1988, Ellis has toured nonstop, averaging 150 live shows a year. He has also continued to release critically acclaimed albums in which his song writing skills blend with his guitar playing.

Also featured on Saturday are local favorites Back Alley Blues Band. The four-member band is making its fifth appearance at the festival. It plays a combination of Chicago and Louisiana blues and has opened for such notables as Bill "The Sauce Boss" Wharton, Charlie Musselwhite and Smokin'Joe Kubek.

The blues also reign in Sunday's entertainment schedule. The five-member Dukes of Juke have been entertaining bay area audiences since 1985. Three of the founders are still with the group.

"We play finger poppin', foot stompin' rhythm and blues," said saxophone player Bobby Rose. "It's the kind of music when you hear it, you can't sit still."

The event also has a number of activities featuring water themes. A boat show will display more than $2 million worth of various kinds of new boats. Visitors are invited to climb aboard the boats docked on land around Orange Lake.

At the Salty Dog Seafaring Forum, fisherman will give tips on catching the big one.

The free Live Shark Experience will host five 20-minute shows daily with a live shark. Shark-related artifacts will be on display throughout the day.

Saturday's Salt Springs State Park Kayak Race and Fun Paddle will start at Salt Springs State Park and end at Sims Park. Participants must register before the event. For more information call 727-816-1890.

Miss Daisy boat rides lasting 30 to 45 minutes will be available for $5. Capt. Ray Kelly will be at the helm supplying commentary. Pony and hay rides are also on tap for nominal fees.

Attendees can also have free pictures taken with a Weeki Wachee mermaid on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, auto aficionados can enjoy a classic car show.

Activities especially for children include a slide shaped like a whale, bounce house and treasure hunt.

Food vendors will stir up seafood delectables, including grouper sandwiches, crab cakes and crawfish etouffee. Landlubbers can snack on corn dogs, funnel cake and kettle corn.

The event will salute mom with a "Bring Your Mom to Breakfast" on Mother's Day. Diners can enjoy eggs, pancakes and sausage while sitting at bistro tables.

A range of arts and crafts will also be available.

Cheryl Bentley can be reached at 727-815-1064 or cbentley@suncoastnews.com.

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