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Speckled Perch Festival & Parade 2027 — Downtown Okeechobee

March 13, 2027 @ 9:00 am - March 14, 2027 @ 5:00 pm
Free admission

The Speckled Perch Festival is the oldest celebration in Okeechobee, dating back to 1965. It started as a tribute to the town’s fishing industry — a parade and a fish fry honoring the speckled perch (black crappie) that draws anglers to Lake Okeechobee every winter — and it has grown into a full downtown weekend.

The Saturday parade steps off at 10 a.m. down Park Street, and the festival fills downtown with food vendors, local musicians, artists and crafters, and a kids zone. Hosted by Okeechobee Main Street, it lands on the second weekend of March, the same weekend as the Cowtown Rodeo — so the whole town is busy.

What to Expect

  • Saturday parade at 10 a.m. through downtown Okeechobee
  • Food vendors, including local fish and Southern favorites
  • Live local talent on stage
  • Arts, crafts and handmade goods
  • Kids zone with games and activities
  • Free to attend

Know Before You Go

  • Where: Park Street and Flagler Park, downtown Okeechobee, FL 34972
  • Parade seating: bring folding chairs and stake out a curb spot along Park Street before 9:30 a.m.
  • Parking: free downtown; expect street closures along the parade route Saturday morning
  • Bring: cash for vendors, sunscreen and a hat — March in Okeechobee is warm and sunny
  • Vendor & parade registration: Okeechobee Main Street, (863) 357-6246, 107 SW 5th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34974 — registrations are currently handled by phone or email
  • Make a weekend of it: the Okeechobee Cowtown Rodeo and the Okeechobee County Fair overlap the same weekend

Helpful Links

Where to Stay

Lake Okeechobee RV Park at 6070 Highway 441 SE in Okeechobee puts you on the water and minutes from the action. Full-hookup RV sites under mature shade trees, waterfront bungalows, boat storage, air-conditioned bathhouses, laundry, free Wi-Fi and a dog park. Event weekends fill fast — see ways to stay, check seasonal rates or call (561) 914-7463 to reserve.

Details

Organizer

Venue

  • Downtown Okeechobee