Datil Fest Event Schedule

12 - 3 pm

Vendor Hours

Culinary Taste Experience

Sauce Boss & Extra Sauce

Explore one of the largest gatherings of Datil pepper makers, specialty food vendors, artisans, local businesses, and community organizations in Northeast Florida. Shop award-winning hot sauces, seasonings, jellies, handcrafted goods, fresh produce, unique gifts, and much more while meeting the passionate people behind every product. Whether you're searching for authentic datil creations or one-of-a-kind treasures, the Datil Fest Vendor Marketplace offers something for every taste and every shopper.

The Amateur Datil Showdown is your chance to prove your datil pepper skills and compete for the title of Datil Fest Amateur Champion. Whether you make a legendary hot sauce, mustard, dry rub, jelly, jam, bread, cobbler, or another homemade datil creation, bring your best recipe and let a panel of local datil experts judge it for taste, originality, use of datil peppers, and overall impression. Winners are crowned in multiple categories, earning bragging rights as Northeast Florida's top amateur datil creator.

Experience the excitement of the Culinary Taste Experience & Professional Chefs Competition, where talented chefs go head-to-head creating original dishes that showcase the legendary Datil pepper. You'll enjoy sampling all of their creations during two scheduled tasting sessions while discovering innovative recipes, unique flavors, and the culinary creativity that makes this competition a Datil Fest favorite and a sellout every year, as chefs compete for top honors, bragging rights, and championship titles.

The Sauce Boss & Extra Sauce deliver an unforgettable fusion of blues, Southern rock, comedy, and live culinary entertainment. Led by Bill Wharton—the inspiration behind Jimmy Buffett's I Will Play for Gumbo—the band performs high-energy originals while cooking a giant pot of seafood gumbo on stage. At the end of the show, the freshly made gumbo is served to the audience, creating a one-of-a-kind interactive experience filled with incredible music, delicious food, and lasting memories.

10 am - 12 pm

3:30 - 5:30 pm

9 am - 5 pm

Amateur Datil Showdown

LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY

SATURDAY

NOVEMBER 14TH 9 AM - 6 PM

Know Before You Go

Datil Fest Guide

Parking & Directions

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Seating & Shade

Find convenient & free parking options and clear directions to Historic Downtown Palatka for a smooth arrival. Parking is FREE throughout downtown Palatka during most riverfront events, including Datil Fest. There are hundreds of public parking spaces within a short walk of the festival entrance. For the easiest experience:

Park in any public downtown street parking space north and west of the riverfront.
Use the city parking lots throughout downtown, all within a 2–10 minute walk of the festival.
The public parking areas surrounding Boathouse Riverfront Park is very convenient, but they fill quickly early in the day.

Navigate the festival grounds with ease using our detailed map highlighting all key activity zones.
Clean Restrooms & Hand-Washing Stations! Your comfort is important to us! Throughout the festival, you'll find clean restroom facilities and portable restrooms conveniently located in multiple areas along the Palatka Riverfront. In addition, hand-washing stations with soap and running water are strategically placed throughout the festival grounds to help you stay clean and refreshed while enjoying the day's activities. Restroom locations are clearly marked on the festival map and with directional signage, making them easy to find no matter where you are. Our facilities are regularly serviced throughout the day to provide a clean, safe, and comfortable experience for all guests.

Make yourself comfortable and plan to spend the day with us! We encourage all guests to bring a lawn chair so you can relax and enjoy the live entertainment, demonstrations, and festival atmosphere at your own pace. A limited number of chairs will be available throughout the venue, but there won't be enough for everyone, so bringing your own chair is highly recommended.

To help you stay cool, large shade tents will be located throughout the Riverfront festival grounds, providing comfortable places to take a break from the Florida sunshine. Whether you're enjoying the music, sampling delicious Datil-inspired foods, or simply relaxing with family and friends, you'll find plenty of shaded areas to rest and recharge before heading back to the fun.

Festival Map & Restrooms

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Common Questions

Your Datil Fest Guide

Admission & Pet Policy

Datil Fest offers free admission for all. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome. Please pick up after your pet!

Weather & Comfort

IMPORTANT NOTE: We encourage guests to bring a lawn chair for comfortable seating throughout the day. We'll have a limited number of chairs available, but not enough for everyone.

Prepare for sunny Florida weather. Hydration stations, shaded areas, and some chairs are available near the Riverfront.