The 44th Annual Seafood Festival at John's Pass is bringing much-needed crowds to Madeira Beach this weekend, offering relief to local businesses still recovering from last year's devastating hurricane season.

A slower summer season can be attributed to damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton. But in years past, the three-day festival has brought in over 50,000 people in

"It was like a breath of fresh air. It was like, oh, people are out, look at the businesses," said Amber Simmons, general manager at Pirates Pub n Grub, a restaurant on John's Pass.

Simmons, who spoke about the challenges facing local businesses back in August, says the festival couldn't come at a better time.

"It's super important because after a year like we had, where there was nobody out and just everybody's strug

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