Get ready to eat, shop, and enjoy some of the best music in St. Pete. Local favorite Saturday Shoppes is hosting its tastiest party ever, the Blue Crab & R&B Festival this Saturday, June 1, a sprawling market and music festival showcasing some of the area’s best crab pots, musicians, makers, and more.

The festival is free to attend, a full afternoon of family-friendly fun and revelry. The Blue Crab & R&B Festival takes place in Lot 1 of Tropicana Field from 4-8 pm on Saturday, June 1, showcasing a stellar lineup of live music, local seafood chefs and food trucks, craft breweries, and great local small businesses. The area is located on the corner of 16th Street and 5th Avenue South.

The highlight of the festival is the blue crab cook-off, as local chefs will duke it out for who does it best. Festivities are being hosted by Jayy Richess, with sponsorship provided by the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and the City of St. Pete.

In addition to food and music, the sprawling market will be full of local artists, makers, boutiques and more. The festival will also feature line dancing, a teen market, and even a kids area. There will be interactive arts and crafts stations, as well. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, relax, and enjoy the free entertainment while they eat, drink and browse.

Limited vendor spots remain for the weekend, and those interested in this event or future Saturday Shoppes can learn more here.

Saturday Shoppes provides opportunity for emerging small businesses

Renee Edwards is the brains behind the Saturday Shoppes operation. The goal of the event has always been to create economic development opportunities for emerging businesses through these fast growing monthly markets. Edwards has also founded the Saturday Morning Shoppe Academy to provide business coaching, business etiquette, resources, marketing, and licensure that would allow hobby vendors to grow their business and income.

Using her knowledge and platform, Edwards is able to assist nearly 150 businesses every month by connecting incredible makers and owners to the community they serve.

Upcoming Saturday Shoppes events after this one include the Freedom Fest on June 15 and the BBQ & Jazz Fest on July 6.