Cedar Key, Florida: Fourth of July Clamerica Celebration

When I lived on the gulf coast, I used to love going down to Cedar Key to the various seafood festivals.Cedar Key Florida is a hidden small town, only accessible from State Road 24, and stretches four miles out to the gulf, on Florida's Nature Coast. Cedar Key is situated among a chain of barrier islands, and is a seafood festival lover's dream spot; for the seafood is local and in abundance.

In the late 1900's, Cedar Key was used for shipping timber for pencil companies. Its port of entry from the gulf made for easy access to and from the railroad as well. Now it is known for its seafood festivals; one of the most popular held on the Fourth of July.

It takes twenty-six miles accessible from U.S.-19 north, to get to Cedar Key, down a secluded back-woods road to get to the town. This secluded gateway road to the seaside town of Cedar Key is State Road 24. There are other festivals that center on shrimp once in town on a given date, but the Clamerica Celebration on the Fourth of July is all about the clams; including eating clams prepared by local restaurants and vendors any way possible; from raw to cooked. The local clams are non-gritty, and known to be tender; farmed in the pristine local gulf waters; which make them sweet tasting too.

At the festival there are clam fritters, clam chowder, clams on the half-shell with lemon, fried clams--you name it they got it. Other food choices are available as well; including traditional burgers and side dishes, for those who are not seafood eaters.

There are plenty of things to look at and do for all ages. For adults there are cook-off's, for kids there are games, live music and more. Fireworks on the Fourth are at dusk. This is also a popular annual event. There is a little beach area that is roped off, where swimming is allowed, though the beach is just as it was a hundred years ago; rife with aged clam shells, so sneakers or flip-flops worn on the beach is advised. There is also kayaking, bird-watching, fishing from the big dock, and more.

Cedar Key is two hours north of Tampa. From Jacksonville, another big city compared to Cedar Key in general, it is a three hour car ride, heading west from "Jax," as the locals call it. From Gainsville, it is fifty miles.

For nature lovers wanting to do some sight seeing before the fireworks, Cedar Key is a picturesque atmosphere to celebrate the Fourth; with great egret birds and other interesting year-round wildlife. A very scenic and old seaside southern American locale; an interesting natural setting to celebrate the nation's Independence Day! Shops stay open later during the events, and there are gift shops and other types of stores to explore.

The festival is held in the city park section; on second and A streets beginning at 10 a.m.