www.cheeseburgerincasevillefest.com
In 1999, the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival started with a handful of people who loved Jimmy Buffett’s tropical tendency to kick back and relax with a great cheeseburger. Now for ten days every August, Caseville becomes “Key North,” and this beautiful little town of eight hundred hosts almost a quarter million people from around the world who love Buffett, burgers and crazy beachwear.
The day they invited us up to film at the festival was the same day they do the Parade of Fools. A coincidence? I don’t think so. There was something like fifty thousand people in town for the parade that day, and I can see why. The floats were incredibly creative, and everyone had a great party spirit. The entire town turns into one huge good-natured celebration that’s part Margaritaville, part Mardi Gras and all about having fun.
You’ll find live music everywhere and plenty of great food to eat. I even entered a cheeseburger eating contest. I’m not sure what happened, though. By the time I got my condiments just right, somebody yelled, “I win!” Oh well, the cheeseburger was good.
There’s plenty to see and do during the Cheeseburger Festival, and because it lasts ten days, you’ve got plenty of chances to partake. The Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival is so much fun, a vegetarian would even have fun there. So get the catsup, mustard and a map out, and make plans to be there next time. And don’t worry; if you lose your shaker of salt, they have plenty.