Cedar Key is a wonderful little tourist resort and seafood coastal town on the west coast of Levy County. For those of you have no idea where Levy County is…well, what can I tell you? Okay, it is at the very bottom of the Big Bend. It kind of juts out just a smidge where the big bend begins on the west coast of Florida. Cedar Key’s one school is K-12 with thirteen graduating students in the Class of 2010. In days gone by the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad ran from Jacksonville to Cedar Key. There was a fair amount of industry out there. The railroad tycoon David Levy Yulee (thus Levy County) founded and built this railroad. One of the earlier industries was pencils made from the massive amounts of cedar on the island (thus Cedar Key). But, eventually, the pencils were shipped out and the tree depleted.
There are some great restaurants and cafes on the key. Cedar Key is hometown America.
The town is the largest producers of “farm raised” clams—100-150 million harvested annually. They are usually fairly small in size; but, boy, are they delicious. Steamers! On July 4, the town brings out all its spit and polish and has a wonderful festival called CLAMERICA. We went last year and now want to make it a family tradition.
There is parade which includes almost everyone in town…kids on bikes, decorated golf carts galore, Miss this and Miss that riding in new convertibles, many businesses with floats or other ways they may choose to advertise, the bus, the pooper scooper company.
And, oh, yes, let’s not forget the politicians! Everyone running for any local or county office rides or walks in the parade. This year, there was even a pol who will be running for governor in this little bitty town’s parade. One would have thought that she might have gone to a place where there were more votes at risk. But, it was kind of nice to see someone who is the current state CFO pay attention to a small town.
There is so much candy thrown from the cars and floats that after the parade, there is still enough for adults to pick up and enjoy. I personally picked up many handfuls and gave them to some of the young people around me and still had a couple of things on which to munch myself. Fans. Beach Balls. Beads. All kinds of things thrown to the waiting crowd from the various vehicles. The parade was fun.
We then walked to the town pier and took a quick walk through the area next to the water with all those cute little boutiques and seaside restaurants. I met Chris Buerki, the author, in front of one of these restaurants. See separate post about one of his books.
Arriving at the local park via the long way, we now got to witness the sand sculptor. The same lady traditionally does the sculptor each year. It is always different and beautiful. She includes many of the sponsors within the sculptor.
Mosaic Fish Pond
Next came the clam recipe contest. Each year the local cooks provide their best sample of some sort of goodies made with—of all things—clams. Appetizers and entrees of all kinds of varieties and presentations are set on a table for the three judges to sample. First the judges look at the presentation and give so many points. Then, they sit down to eat a bit of this and a bit of that with more points added. The points are added up and posted on a board next to the creation’s name. Obviously, the one with the most points wins (not sure what they win). After all the points, the awards are presented and the public is invited to sample the goodies. Some are really good. I have boring New England taste buds and cannot tolerate hot spicy food. So, I am not fond of those. But, there is some really good stuff there. YUM! I have a passion for many of the appetizers.
A second contest is held later in the afternoon for cooks from local restaurants. Anyone can buy a place in the judging of this event. For a nominal fee, one gets a packet which includes a special fork for tasting, a chance to taste and this year a special Mardi Gras mask. I have not yet participated in this. Maybe next year.
The most famous item of CLAMERICA is Tony’s clam chowder. Again, my boring NE taste buds get in the way. The first taste is dynamic. But, then the spice hits. I am probably the only person who is not fond of this local delicacy. It has been deemed by many as the VERY BEST.
Under the same pavilion as the food cookoff is a container with a bunch of clams. Last year I guessed a little over 1700 and came in sixth…only 36 away from first place. Guess what the prize was…CLAMS!!??! WOW! What a surprise. This year the clams were in a very big laundry basket. I guessed 5218. I have not heard if I won anything. (I heard today July 7—1366 clams in the basket. Steve had guessed 1400 and something.)
There is a silent auction where local businesses provide most of the prizes—dinners, weekends, prints by local artists, kayak and boat trips. This year they had about ten painted trash cans by local youth that were also among those items on which on could bid. All had a seafood theme done by some very talented youngsters. Hope they got really high bids on these. (July 7—Steve had the high bid on the kayak rental…can’t wait to go).
And, of course, what is a Fourth of July festival without food…traditional and special--hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, cake, pie, corn on the cob, fries, soft drinks. Then, there are the seafood yummies—clam cakes, steamers, fritters, and the clam boil (kind of a boiled clam bake—clams, potato, corn). We split an order of steamers. Steve ate the traditional hot dog while I enjoyed the clam (or was it crab…can’t remember) cakes. So good!
There are fireworks at night, but we do not stay that late.
Cedar Key has several festivals throughout the year. But nothing beats this one. Can hardly wait to return next year.
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