Lobster lovers have a big reason to head to the east end of Panama City Beach this October as Schooners brings back its annual Lobster Festival, with the biggest stretch of live music and beachside fun running Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18.

The festival is built around exactly what its name promises: lobster prepared in plenty of different ways, served in a casual beachfront setting where diners can move from a plate of seafood to live music and Gulf views without leaving the sand.

Schooners is actually starting the food celebration earlier in the week, with nine lobster specials available inside the restaurant from Monday, October 12 through Sunday, October 18, beginning at 11 a.m. each day.

The restaurant lineup gives lobster fans plenty to choose from, including Lobster Bisque, Lobster Ceviche, Lobster Flatbread, Lobster Salad and an unwrapped Lobster Roll served on toasted naan.

Heartier choices include a 9-ounce Grilled Lobster Tail with lemon and drawn butter, Lobster Pot Pie topped with golden puff pastry, Lobster Ravioli with crawfish sherry cream sauce, and Lobster Mac & Cheese made with smoked Gouda, bacon and Cheddar Jack.

Prices on the current festival menu range from $10 for the Lobster Bisque to $40 for the 9-ounce Grilled Lobster Tail, giving diners options whether they want a smaller taste or a full lobster dinner.

The weekend turns into an even bigger foodie experience when Schooners moves part of the celebration onto the beach Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 for the Lobster Beach Feast.

That beach menu includes Lobster Potato Salad, Lobster Ceviche, Lobster Roll Unwrapped, Lobster Pot Pie, Lobster Mac & Cheese and grilled lobster tails, along with one of the most interesting choices for anyone who wants to sample several dishes at once.

The Lobster Five Way Tray combines portions of Lobster Potato Salad, Lobster Ceviche, Lobster Pot Pie, Lobster Salad and Lobster Mac & Cheese for $40.

Grilled lobster tails are also available at the beach feast, with two 5-ounce tails served with corn and potatoes for $40 or four tails for $70.

Families can also find a simple kids option at the beach feast, where a cheeseburger with chips is listed for $9.

One small detail foodies may appreciate is that the beach version of the Lobster Pot Pie swaps the restaurant’s puff-pastry topping for a biscuit, giving the weekend feast its own variation.

Corn and potatoes can also be added on the beach menu for $5.

Food may be the headline, but the festival atmosphere is a big part of the draw.

A giant sand sculpture adds to the beachfront setting, and live music takes over the Schooners beach stage Thursday through Sunday with no cover charge.

Alex Napier & Daybreak open the music schedule Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by Glory Days from Dothan on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday brings two sets, with Alex Napier & Daybreak playing from 2 to 5 p.m. and Glory Days returning from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Modern Eldorados close out the weekend Sunday with a 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. performance.

For locals and visitors who like their seafood with sand between their toes, Lobster Festival is one of those Panama City Beach weekends that mixes the food event and beach-day experience into one stop.

Schooners is located at 5121 Gulf Drive in Panama City Beach and opens daily at 11 a.m.

The restaurant does not accept reservations, so anyone planning to catch dinner and a band should keep that in mind when choosing when to arrive.

Whether the goal is a bowl of bisque, a loaded lobster mac and cheese, a grilled tail or the full beach feast, this is a weekend designed for serious lobster appetites.

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