Fall Festivals - New Smyrna Beach Book Festival

A reader's Paradise! An entire weekend of books, books, authors, writing workshops, and more books. 

The New Smyrna Beach Book Festival will take place October 3rd and October 4th beachside. The festival features over a dozen authors representing multiple states and multiple Florida Book Award winners. From thrillers, mysteries, and detective stories to fantasy, fiction, how-to, and inspirational, there's something for everyone at the NSB Book Festival, whether you're a recreational reader or an aspiring writer!

Admission is FREE to this festival.

Over a dozen award-winning authors from across the USA will offer insight into their books, host Q & A sessions, and sign books throughout the weekend.

Books will be for sale the Festival Bookshop at the Coronado Civic Center.

A Writers' Workshop Panel Discussion will begin the day on Saturday at 10 am!

On Saturday night of the festival, there is a special happy hour social meet-and-greet where you can meet some of the authors in attendance in a casual setting.  The social begins at 6pm at Outriggers Tiki Bar and Grille located at 200 Boatyard St., New Smyrna Beach.  Festival attendees are encouraged to go and have the chance to mingle with the authors. The festival sessions during the day will feature opportunities to win beverage tickets to the social that night as well as a set of sign copies of the books from each author.

CORONADO CIVIC CENTER

223 Flagler Ave/ Corner of Flagler & Pine

Coordinator: Sandy Brown 843-222-1862

Saturday, October 3^rd 10am-5pm

Sunday, October 4^th 12pm-3:30pm

For the schedule and author sessions, go HERE. 

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells 

 

Sunglow Pier

Alicia Keenon Photography

The Sunglow Pier is a large wooden structure that spans 915 out into the ocean. It used to be longer, but a 1984 storm destroyed the seaward end of the pier, and it was not rebuilt in its entirety. The Sunglow Pier is quite the landmark and offers a lot to local and out-of-town visitors.

Fishing

You can enjoy ocean fishing from the pier, daily from 6am-11pm. Rod and reel rentals, as well as bait, are available. It costs $1 to go out onto the seaward end of the pier and $7 if you want to fish. There are cleaning areas, and seats. Fish typically caught off the pier include whiting, pompano, flounder, and various sharks. 

Alicia Keenon Photography

Fishing aside, from the ocean end of the pier, the view is spectacular – all the way from the Daytona Beach Pier to New Smyrna Beach on a clear day. 

Gift Shop

The gift shop is where you can rent fishing equipment, pay the pier fee, and delight in Florida souvenirs. If you catch the gift shop attendant on a good day, he will tell you all about the history of the pier, and of Daytona Beach! The shop is so rustic and charming, you might find yourself buying a Florida shot glass, or something else you don’t need, even though you live here.

Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill

Alicia Keenon Photography

Smack-dab in the middle of the pier is Crabby Joe’s restaurant. It is open from 7am-10pm daily. It has a simple, rustic decor with an emphasis on the nautical. The pier and the ocean are the focus of the casual eatery with a view of the water from every seat. During cold weather, plastic window sheeting is pulled down. During warm weather, you can enjoy the ocean breezes wafting through the restaurant. Outside seating is also available.

The Calypso Bar churns out specialty drinks, fabulous Bloody Marys, plus anything you want. The menu focuses on Florida fare – fish, fish sandwich, shrimp, crab legs, etc. etc. The food is fresh, good, and affordable.

On Sundays, Crabby Joe’s offers an omelet bar. For a flat fee, a chef will make you a fresh omelet to order with any of the available fillings. The blue crab eggs Benedict are to die for – so definitely check it out for breakfast or brunch. Starting at 11am sharp, lunch is served.

Stairs lead from the start of the pier directly onto the beach. Make a day of it: frolic on the beach, come upstairs to eat and drink, and go back into the waves! 

Alicia Keenon Photography

3701 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118 (386) 756-4219

Sunglow Pier Web

Creative Florida Living 

Janet's Real Estate Site 

Casual Riverfront Dining

Boondocks

Right on the Halifax River, in Wilbur by the Sea, you will come upon this waterfront restaurant and bar known as Boondocks. It’s not that easy to find, but once you do, you’ll want to come back again and again! If you are a boater, you can arrive by water and dock in the marina, Adventure Yacht Harbor.

 

This awesome restaurant is well known among locals and visitors as the best place to eat great food, drink, and watch the sunset! Boondocks has a Tiki long bar, inside seating so you are protected against the elements, and outside seating under umbrellas. The inside area has plastic windows that are pulled up in good weather. The sunsets you can enjoy are incredible! 

The menu is varied for all appetites, featuring seafood, steak, chicken, homemade soups and sauces. Try the famous garlic bread, spicy steamed shrimp, crab legs, mussels and more. The prices are moderate, especially for the drinks!

You are welcome to bring your dog if you sit outside. 

 Open every day from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

3948 S. Peninsula Drive, Wilbur By The Sea, 32127

(386) 760-9001 Boondocks Restaurant Website

 Creative Florida Living

Janet's Real Estate Site