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Annually, thousands of visitors come to enjoy Cedar Key's Old Florida Celebration of the Arts in April, Clamerica Celebration on the 4th of July, the October Seafood Festival and the events of A Cedar Key Christmas between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Smaller events take place throughout the year including the Cedar Key Star Party, fishing tournaments, boat and kayaking events, nature tours, and community civic and church activities. If you look around, there's always something happening in Cedar Key.
See our Community Calendar for more events.
 Cedar Key Star Party 2012
February 20th, 2012 to February 24th, 2012
Amateur astronomers are coming to town and bringing their high-powered telescopes for a week long stargazing event and Cedar Key is one of the few places in the nation with skies dark enough to host. This is a Public Education Astronomy Program given by volunteers. Activities are designed to stimulate interest in astronomy and to educate the public about advantages of protecting the night sky from light pollution.
Most of the activities are in the Cedar Key Museum State Park at 12231 SW 166 Court. The events hosted by the State Parks will be:
2/20 - evening event at Cedar Key Museum
2/22 - stargazing hayrides at Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
2/24 - evening event at Cedar Key Museum
Download the flyer here.
 48th Annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
April 28th, 2012 to April 29th, 2012
Cedar Key's 48th annual fine arts festival on April 28th and 29th, 2012, from 10 am to 5 pm is hosted by the Cedar Key Arts Center and sponsored by the Tourism & Development Council. Over 120 fine artists and craftsmen will showcase their brilliant works of art on Historic 2nd Street. Artists compete for over $10,000 in prize money and purchase awards during this juried event. Last year over 20,000 people visited Cedar Key to enjoy this fine art festival and purchase a piece from the collection. Local non-profit businesses and churches sell a variety of food and desserts in City Park. Cedar Key is famous for their steamed clams and some of the freshest seafood you can find. Music, sidewalk chalk, and face painting will also be happening in the park all weekend. As you cross Cedar Key's bridges you will feel as if you are stepping back in time with it's old Florida charm. Don't forget to check out their million dollar sunsets!
Cedar Key is located 60 miles SW of Gainesville at the end of State Road 24.
Please call Mandy Cassiano for more information (352)543-5400 or visit our website, www.CedarKeyArtsFestival.com.
View a video of a previous event here
 28th Annual Cedar Key Small Boat Meet
May 5th, 2012 to May 6th, 2012
The 28th Cedar Key small boat meet will be Saturday and Sunday, May 5th & 6th, 2012, the first full weekend in May. It is completely informal. Tides and weather are still the only organization. There are no planned events, signups, or fees.
Cedar Key is on the Gulf a hundred miles north of Tampa, a dozen miles south of the mouth of the Suwannee River. It's an isolated cape of offshore islands separated from the mainland by miles of oyster flats and salt marsh. The great logs of the cedar forests went to pencil makers before & after the Civil War. During the War it was an active Confederate port & railhead. Now its sea and shallows attract fishermen and naturalists, artists and writers. There are no traffic lights, fast food, or golf courses.
All shallow draft boats are welcome: canoes & kayaks, catboats & catamarans; trimarans, rowboats & sailing dinghies; scows, sharpies & sampans; punts, pirogues, prams---& pirates' yawlboats.
Over the last 26 years, weather has usually been mostly sunny, mid to upper 80s in the day, water temperature upper 70s. If it blows, even at lower tides, it's splendid for rowers & paddlers. For sailing canoes Cedar Key is sublime.
Wildlife observers note the food chain at Cedar Key is complete in the water & ashore. The nutrients flowing out with the clean Suwannee mix with oxygenated water riffling through the cape's islands & channels. Birds, bugs, fish, shellfish, turtles, alligators, marine mammals---all thrive.
For information call the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce, 352 543 5600; Dave Lucas, 941 704 6736, skipjack@tampabay.rr.com, or me, 586 215 7060, huhorton@gmail.com.
 43rd Annual Seafood Festival
October 20th, 2012 to October 21st, 2012
9:00 AM until 5:00 PM each day. This major event features well over 200 arts and crafts exhibits, and great local seafood in City Park. There will be live musical entertainment at several places around town during the days and nights, and a parade on Saturday morning.
In addition on this weekend, there is an open house at the lighthouse on Seahorse Key, the big island 3 miles to the west of Cedar Key. Explore the lighthouse, look at the exhibits and wander this beautiful island. Shuttle boats are available at City Marina. Be sure to remember your camera and binoculars!
For arts and crafts vendor information, contact Thelma McCain at 352-543-5436.
View a video of a previous event here
View a photo gallery here
 Celebrate Cedar Key
July 4th, 2011
Celebrate Cedar Key will be July 4th. There will fireworks and lots of other activities. Check out the list and schedule of events HERE.
View a photo gallery here
 Lighthouse Open to the Public
July 9th, 2011
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge invites you to an openhouse on Seahorse Key Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enhance your summer by getting the family outdoors into the spectacular Cedar Keys. Bring your camera, fish a little, walk along the beach, and enjoy the young pelicans through the spotting scope.
The interior of Seahorse Key is normally closed to public entrance, as are all posted refuge islands, so that nesting birds and other wildlife are not disturbed. Annually, a three hundred foot buffer is closed to all public access from March through June to provide more security to the rookery while mature birds nest and rear their young. On June 30 the closure ends; nesting time will be over and the fledglings will be flying. This celebration of wildlife is an opportunity to visit the otherwise closed Seahorse Key with staff present to answer questions.
The lighthouse on Seahorse Key, atop the 54-foot tall dune, offers great perspective for wildlife photography as the adult and juvenile birds fly by the tower. You’ll see brown pelicans, ibis, cormorants, herons and this year’s new couple – reddish egrets flying from the rookery. Eagles and osprey also visit throughout the day from their nearby nests.
This year, ghosts-like figures in period dress will tell us tales of the light station and its challenges, as well as the history of the two cemeteries on the island, both Civil War sailors’ and light keepers’.
Catch a tour boat from the city docks, rent a vessel, or take your own to Seahorse Key for a celebration of wildlife hosted by refuge staff. Enjoy the out of doors at the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, where wildlife comes first.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, of which the National Wildlife Refuge System is a part, is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information call (352) 493-0238.
View a photo gallery here
 Labor Day Auction
September 4th, 2011
The Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Labor Day weekend Auction Sunday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at the historic Island Hotel on 2nd Street. Auction-goers will find great deals on lodging, dining, fishing, fine art, gifts, fresh clams, and more. As the organization`s largest fundraiser of year, the auction plays a vital role in keeping the Chamber and the Cedar Key Welcome Center operational.
Some highlights of this year`s live auction include:
• Half day fishing trips from Saltwater Assassin and Voyles Guide Service
• Dining certificates from the Island Room, Pickled Pelican, Tony`s Seafood, and more
• Lodging stays at Harbour Master Suites, Low-Key Hideaway Motel, Nature`s Landing, Old Fenimore Mill, Park Place, Seahorse Landing and more
• 1939 and 1969 aerial prints of Cedar Key (auctioned separately)
• Island tours by boat and airplane
• Full day airboat fishing trip from Waccassassa Bay Fishing Charters
• Rentals from Kayak Cedar Keys and the Gulf Kart Company
• Island Wedding Package – includes marriage/vow renewal ceremony
The auction will have an incredible art selection as well, including original paintings by Mike Segal, Susan Dauphinee, and Robert Goodlett, framed fine-art photographs by Sean Dowie and Pat Bonish, and a special piece from Cedar Key Pottery. Other artwork includes framed prints, wood carvings, glass, paintings, bags and more.
All items have been donated by local businesses and residents. Many will be auctioned for a fraction of their value - providing a great opportunity to save money and help the community, while having a great time. The auction is held in the dining room of the Island Hotel Restaurant. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for item preview. The Hotel`s Neptune Lounge will also be open during the event.
See some little video clips here
 HIdden Coast Paddle Event
September 23rd, 2011 to September 25th, 2011
Hidden Coast Paddle event. Starts in Cedar Key September 23rrd, 2011. See the Hidden Coast Website for the full itinerary and more details.
 A Cedar Key Christmas 2011
November 26th, 2011 to December 25th, 2011
Join the festivities beginning with the tree lighting in the park November 25th. Here's a complete schedule of events for this year's celebration. Call 352-543-5600 to participate.
View a video of a previous event here
View a photo gallery here
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© Bill Kilborn
© Bill Kilborn
© Bill Kilborn
© Dick Martens
© Bill Kilborn
© Dick Martens
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