Free admission, new layout prove popular at the Destin Seafood Festival (SLIDESHOW)

DESTIN — Thousands of people milled about along a half-mile stretch of the harbor Saturday for the 33rd annual Destin Seafood Festival.

This year the festival boasts free admission and a new location from a fenced area in the parking lot next to the Emerald Grande to an open sprawl along the walkway lining the water. The changes seemed to have paid off in attendance and business.

“It’s more crowded. It’s spread out more and it involves more of the community,” said local photographer John Hollan.

View photos from the seafood festival and the Destin fishing rodeo »

Businesses along the harbor from the Emerald Grande to KJ’s bar were able to participate more in the open-admission festival, Hollan said.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association participated in the festival’s organization this year. Sponsor Mike Petrucci said it made all the difference.

“They took us from amateur to putting us on the map,” he said. “Everyone wanted to see us on the water. Everyone wanted to see the local people. This is the best move ever.”

Saturday also was opening day for the monthlong Destin Fishing Rodeo.

Seafood Festival organizers tried to emphasize local musicians in the lineup, Petrucci added.

The Forrest Williams Band from Destin played on a stage facing the harbor as the sun set orange and gold over the water.

The band has played in Destin for five years and has become a big part of the tight-knit music community.

“We love the people around here, the view, the music,” singer Forrest Williams told the crowd. “There are a lot of great musicians out here and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

Along the walkway, dozens of food vendors served up dishes from seafood gumbo to sweet potato fries to funnel cakes.

Dionne Jones of Destin was sitting under one of many covered seating areas with two friends from out of town. The three women were scooping bites from a heaping plate of food, which included crab, mahi-mahi, lobster, rice and lettuce.

“It’s real crab. They had a choice between imitation or real,” Jones said. “Now why would you come to a seafood festival to eat imitation crab?”

Craft vendors also lined the walkways selling jewelry, clothes and other wares.

One of the most conspicuous items was a tall walking stick with a skull carved out of the handle.

Maggie Gatzman, who had come to the festival with a friend from work at the post office, bought one for her 15-year-old son for his birthday.

Hollan, who was nearby, had called the item a “death stick.”

Gatzman called hers a “calavera,” Spanish for skull.

By any name, the sticks are available for $10 at a booth along with other surf shop gear.

The festival continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Parking is available at the HarborWalk Village, across the street at the Destin Community Center and at the Destin History and Fishing Museum.

A shuttle also is available from Destin Commons near Bass Pro Shops.