Boynton Beach Insider

Are you looking for a cool way to kick-off your summer? Join in on the fun and festivities that will take place this weekend at the Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby event.

What exactly is Rock the Marina?

To showcase all of the fun activities that the Boynton Harbor Marina has to offer, the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) will host Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby on June 26, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sip a cocktail while enjoying music on the water from two popular local bands, Spider Cherry and Vibes Farm, learn how to clean, prep, and cook lionfish, and learn about marine conservation and sustainability efforts that are taking place throughout Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County.

What is a Lionfish Derby?

Forty certified divers will participate in the Lionfish Derby, which will take place earlier in the day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Divers, who will be chartered by Loggerhead Dive Charters, Splashdown Divers, and Starfish Scuba, will hunt for invasive lionfish for approximately four hours. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: most fish, largest fish, and smallest fish. The divers will return to the Boynton Harbor Marina at approximately 1:00 pm to weigh-in and measure the collected lionfish. Interested parties are invited to watch the judging process from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 3:00 p.m.

How much are tickets?

This event is completely FREE!

Where is the event located?

This event will take place at the Boynton Harbor Marina at 735 Casa Loma Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33435.

Where can I park for the event?

Parking is available at:

• Self-parking is available in the lot located at 114 N. Federal Highway
• Marina Village Parking Garage located at 625 Casa Loma Boulevard (Public parking available for $5)
• Valet parking is available at Two Georges, which is located at 728 Casa Loma Boulevard

What type of food and beverages will be available at the event?

As a part of our mission to #SupportLocal, all the food and beverages will be provided from local Boynton Harbor Marina restaurants. Two Georges Waterfront Grille will have a tent set-up on the exterior of their restaurant to serve light bites and libations and Boardwalk Italian Ice & Creamery will be serving Italian ice, however there will be no additional outside food sales, so event patrons are encouraged to enjoy waterfront dining at Two Georges, Banana Boat, or Marina Café.

What type of exhibitors will the event feature?

Chef Jimmy Everett, from Driftwood restaurant, located at 2005 S. Federal Highway, will conduct presentations throughout the event on how to clean and prepare lionfish. Complimentary lionfish dip tastings will be available after each presentation. A second demonstration on how to prepare mini lionfish tacos will be provided by Chef Robert Mastrosimone from Organic Kitchen and Mercantile (OK&M), located at 640 E. Ocean Avenue, Suite 6. The event will also highlight marine conservation and sustainability efforts that are taking place throughout the county with Sea Turtle Adventures, The Reef Institute, Lionfish Extermination Corp, and the City of Boynton Beach Sustainability Department. Additional exhibitors include Boynton Beach Dive Center, Starfish Scuba, and Macaroni Kids.

What time will the bands perform?

Event goers can relax and enjoy feel good music from two popular South Florida bands – Spider Cherry and Vibes Farm. The bands will play concurrent shows on two separate stages between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Is this a family-friendly event?

Yes, the Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby is a family friendly event. We encourage families to explore the marina and visit with the participating exhibitors. Sea Turtle Adventures and Macaroni Kids will both offer kid-friendly activities at their designated booths.

Can I bring my pet to the event?

The Boynton Harbor Marina is pet-friendly, however due to the high energy nature of the event, which includes lively music and possible crowds of people, we highly recommend leaving your beloved pets at home.

What happens if it rains?

The Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby is a rain or shine event. Every effort will be made to host the event, however if inclement weather poses a potential danger to event patrons, staff, or vendors, cancellation will be considered. Updates regarding the event will be posted to the BBCRA website and Facebook page.

Still have questions?

Visit our Facebook event page for additional details. Be sure to like and follow @BoyntonBeachCRA on Facebook and Instagram to receive the latest updates about the event and use #RockTheMarina when posting to your favorite socials.