Schooner's Lobster Feast and Sand Sculpting Contest

The annual Schooner's Lobster Festival and Tournament returns for its 17th year. If your near Panama City Beach, Florida around the second weekend in September, any year, you need to go to this event. All activities mentioned in this review except; the lobster tournament, explained later, and the Sunday Feast, where you get to eat the tournaments catch, are free of charge.

This years event began September 15th at Schooner's on the Beach. Their sand sculpting contest became a part of this annual event 8 years ago. This year September 16th is the day to watch these masterpieces come to life. The contest is for the entire family with several age categories; 12 years and younger, 13 to 17 years of age, 18 years and older, and families. Families category is for those that want to compete with a team effort. Children, Parents, Grandparents, Cousins, Uncles and Aunts. Finally, for professionals and aspiring professionals, the Open contest. Sanding Ovations will create this years centerpiece. They produce works of art all over the world. It is my understanding that Suzanne Altmare and Meredith Carson will be constructing this years masterpiece.

The Lobster Tournament is the main event, especially for the entered divers. The tournament rules are strict. Registration for the divers is $85.00 and they are responsible for their own transportation and dive gear. All lobsters must be caught by hand only between the end of the safety briefing on September 15th and 3 P.M. September 17th, 2006. Only lobsters caught between longitude 84.5 degrees and 86.5 degrees west qualify. All catches are subject to autopsy, must be caught legally, and brought to the boat without assistance. The safety briefing ends late Friday so most contestants will be navigating to the tournament grounds in the dark and staying until mid Sunday before returning. Not for the feint of heart.

The teams are targeting both the Florida lobster and the smaller Shovelnose lobster. Each has its own prize category with a third being the Big 6. The team weighing in the heaviest 6 lobsters total weight wins this category. All winners,of course retain exclusive bragging rights for their competition.

While the teams are at sea working hard, Schooner's will be entertaining you with music, dance, and contests like the sand sculpting competition. Friday nights late night entertainment is by Cool Rayz as is Saturday nights. Sunset entertainment by Stainless Steel Saturday and Sunday with late night on Sunday by 11 Trio. Weigh-ins are continuous from Saturday through 3 P.M. Sunday when winners will be announced and awards given. The Lobster Feast will commence following the awards ceremony. Here you get fresh fresh lobster whole, halved, k-bobs, fried, blackened, steamed, broiled, well you get the idea about any way you want it.This years proceeds, the tournament fee of $85.00 and the Lobster Feast fee of $17.00, goes to Children's Home Society.

That's the short and skinny of the tournament, now for the fun. Schooner's has some of the best food in the Panhandle and the accommodations are great. The sand sculpturing are absolutely fantastic along with Schooner's entertainment. Currently the Gulf is pristine with beautiful emerald waters and full sun with clear skies. No way to beat it! This time of year hotel accommodations are affordable, easy to reserve, and many are close to Schooner's. Don't hesitate to come on down and enjoy paradise one year.

I know this review is coming late; but, it happens every year. Please, plan a visit for the 18th annual Lobster Feast, you can't go wrong. Make sure to watch the weigh-ins, many lobsters top 9 pounds. Good weather, good eats, good times, and good people. See you there.

Contact information and calender of events at www.schooner's.com and/or (850)235-3555. You'll love it.