Lobster Festival celebrates 20 years

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - Schooners will host the 20th annual Lobster Festival & Tournament on Sept. 17-20. The four-day festival benefits the Florida Aquatic & Marine Institute and the Toys for Kids Foundation.

Divers will compete in a variety of categories including Spiny Lobster, Big 6 and Shovelnose, with cash prizes totaling $5,000. Weigh-ins will be from 3-6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Tim Kinderman, general manager of Schooners said, “Panama City residents should support this event which benefits local charities. Schooners is the last local beach club and we are working hard to keep Lobsterfest all local.”

The charities which were chosen to help children in the community. “Florida Aquatic & Marine Institute educates people about the importance of taking care of the beaches and Toys for Kids keeps all monies in Bay County,” Kinderman said.

Suzanne Bizzell, mother of five of Panama City said, “The sand sculptors are amazing artists and the whole event is very family friendly. It is one of the biggest things that happen around here and they donate all the money to charity. Lobsterfest is a great way for the local community to come together for a good cause and a good time”

The first tournament was in the fall of 1989. Today, it draws divers and enthusiasts from all over the country. Professional sand sculptors, Sanding Ovations return to wow the crowds with their spectacular sculptures. They have won or placed in every major competition in the country.

Lobster specials will run all week. A special Schooners menu has been developed for the fresh local lobster harvested by the divers. Selections include White Lobster Chili, Lobster Gumbo, Lobster Bisque, Lobster Ceviche With Shrimp And Scallops, Smoked Lobster Crab And Cheese Dip, Lobster And Corn Hushpuppies, Lobster Kabobs With Steak And Sausage, New England Style Lobster Rolls, Loaded Lobster Lasagna, Lobster Paella With Shrimp And Sausage, Savory Lobster Pot Pie and Lobster-Shrimp & Grits With Tasso Ham.

Schooners is the last of the old open-air hangouts on the Gulf Coast. The restaurant opened in the ’60s and was named The Beach Party. In 1985, Jim Cannon was sipping a beer from and ice-cold ‘schooner’ while in Australia and learned his favorite restaurant was for sale. He cut his vacation short and hastily bought and renamed it Schooners.

Cannon owned the restaurant for 10 years, then Sparky Sparkman and Toni Davis purchased the restaurant. The new owners enjoyed just eight days of business before Hurricane Opal heavily damaged the building. Sparkman and Davis committed to rebuilding the original structure. Schooners is open seven days a week starting at 11 a.m. until close.

• Thursday, Sept. 17

Professional Sand Sculpture begins on the beach. 7 p.m.: Kick off party featuring Troy Syfrett & The Nash Ville Mafia.

• Friday, Sept. 18

4:30 p.m.: Grandy & Steel Band on main stage. 5 p.m.: Diver registration, safety meeting. 8 p.m.: Live Mii Auction on main stage. 9 p.m.: Arizona Band on the main stage. 10 p.m.: $1,000 raffle drawing

• Saturday, Sept. 19

Dive Tournament begins. 10 a.m.: Beach stage goes live with music and games for families and children. Amateur Sandcastle & Sandsculpting Contests begin. Youth, teen and family divisions. Open division for more advanced sand enthusiasts.

11 a.m.: Construction begins of 70 foot Lobster Roll- Attempt to beat “Guiness Book of World Record.” 1 foot Slices will be sold and money will benefit FAMI & TFK.

2:30 p.m.: Sandsculpting Awards Presentation on the beach stage. 3-6 p.m.: Weigh-in. 4 p.m.: Mini auction on the beach stage. 4:30 p.m.: Nothing Short of Pure on the Beach Stage. 9 p.m.: Arizona Band on the main stage. 10 p.m.: $1,500 raffle drawing on the main stage.

• Sunday, Sept. 20

11 a.m.: Beach stage goes live with music and games for families and children. Noon: Buffet on the beach and party. Noon to 4 p.m.: Arizona Band on the beach. Noon to 3 p.m.: Weigh-in. 4 p.m.: Diver awards, charity auction and final raffle on the main stage. 6 p.m.: Stainless Steel Band on the main stage.