44th Annual Seashell Festival Offers Treasures From Around the World

January 1, 2024 | By Karyn Cole

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Row upon row of award-winning seashells from around the globe will be displayed at the Eau Gallie Civic Center, Melbourne, come January 20 – 21, 2024. The Astronaut Trail Shell Club invites the public to this annual, free festival. Appropriate for all ages, regardless of whether your interest is seeing the wonders of the sea, learning about the creatures that made them, or bringing home a shell gift from the vendor area. New this year, live demonstrations by local artists, an exhibit on undersea archeology, as well as a hands-on Kids’ Corner will add to the fun. 9:30 to 4, both days.

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How many different kinds of shells do you see in this beautiful mosaic, composed entirely of shells? Mosaics, Sailor’s Valentine Boxes, decoupaged shells, jewelry, shell flowers, artwork for your walls, and much more will be available for show and sale at the 2024 Space Coast Seashell Festival.

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Seashells come in a phenomenal range of colors, shapes, patterns and sizes, and your chance to see some of that variety will be coming up at the Astronaut Trail Shell Festival, this January. Some of the world’s very smallest shells measure just 0.03” (0.86 mm), while some of the largest register over 5 feet and can weigh several hundred pounds. This close-up reveals a tiny bit of what you’ll see at the January 20 – 21, 2024 festival, located at the Eau Gallie Civic Center, 1551 Highland Ave., Melbourne, FL. Doors open at 9:30 and entry and parking are free.

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Did you know that besides building the shells they inhabit, some marine animals actually collect shells, just like you do? The Carrier Shell is so named because its inhabitant, a sea snail, collects and cements other shells, stones and coral to its own shell base. The added bits serve as camouflage and a defense against predators who might otherwise want to make the snail a tasty treat. Who would have guessed? (Shell shown resting on a round of wood.)

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Whether gazing on these poisonous cone snail shells whose sting will kill you within seconds, or learning about the shells from the province of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, attendees at the 2023 Astronaut Trail Club came away wowed. Wait till you see what’s coming in 2024. More great exhibits, vendors, crafts and fun for people of all ages. Eau Gallie Civic Center, 1551 Highland Ave., Melbourne, 9:30 - 4 pm, Jan. 20 & 21, 2024.

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Sea urchins are one of the most fascinating creatures of the sea. They have no bones, brains or eyes, but can detect light, sense nearby predators, and can live for centuries. This award-winning specimen, under glass, will make a return appearance at the 2024 Shell Festival.

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This stunning sea turtle on a coral reef took one of the top honors at the 2023 shell festival art competition. Who will take top prizes in our art and scientific competitions for 2024? Our esteemed judges are recruited from across the country. There’s a People’s Favorite vote too, so come on down and vote for your fav shell display. Or perhaps, pick up a beautiful turtle reef display for your home from the Vendor section of the show.

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Over 1,000 attendees enjoyed the vendor crafts, exhibits, shell competitions and displays at the January Astronaut Trail Club Seashell Festival, and even more are expected to come out for the FREE event on Jan. 20-21, 2024. Believe it or not, all the delicate flowers in this photo are hand-crafted from shells, by talented club member Vicky Reiordan. Her crafts are just some of many to be displayed at the Eau Gallie Civic Center, 1551 Highland Ave., Melbourne.

Whether you enjoy collecting shells on walks along our local beaches or are an avid collector of seashells from around the world, the 44th annual Space Coast Seashell Festival has something for everyone. The Festival is coming to the Eau Gallie Civic Center Jan. 20-21. Sponsored by the Astronaut Trail Seashell Club, this event is free to all.

The Astronaut Trail Seashell Club is a group dedicated to learning and sharing their knowledge of seashells, sea life, and shell craft. The club meets the first Wednesday of each month at Satellite Beach City Hall.

At this year’s Space Coast Seashell Festival, attendees will be able to view gorgeous specimen shells from around the world. Vendors will sell shells for those looking to add to their collection, as well as shells ideal for crafting. Finished shell art pieces will also be available. A brand new kids’ corner hopes to engage the next generation of shell lovers with hands-on activities. Every child who visits will receive a free shell to take home.

“We are hoping to excite the next generation and provide a fun event for people of all ages,” said club member Suzy Kedzierski. “This year, the show will be even bigger and better than ever.”

The shell show includes shells not found on our local area beaches or even in Florida waters. Visitors can expect to see some truly spectacular specimens collected from all over the world.

“These are shells that are brought in by some of the preeminent dealers from around the country,” said event co-chairman, BJ Shouppe’. “You can only find some of these more exotic shells by diving 200 feet below the surface. Some are twice the size of a football.”

Local artists from Eau Gallery will be doing live demonstrations at the festival to showcase a variety of painting techniques to create beautiful images of shells, beach scenes, and marine life.

The Astronaut Trail Shell Club is proud of how the festival has grown both in attendance and in scope over its long history. Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the event. Each ticket purchase helps keep the festival free for all to attend, while also giving the buyer the opportunity to win great prizes. This year’s raffle prizes range from specimen shells to gift certificates to Pineapple’s restaurant and Riverside Theater.

“Our shell club hosts the very first shell show in the nation,” said Astronaut Trail Shell Club President Alan Gettleman. “Come to our seashell festival and see more shells than you can find on the beach. Mollusks are the second largest scientific grouping in the animal kingdom and you will see the great scientific variety and beauty.”