Ocean Treasures Festival
Beachcomber Diana Watkins from South Melbourne Beach, Florida, was talking to her husband one sunny afternoon and said, “Let’s go to the Santa Cruz Sea Glass Festival in California!”
John replied, “That’s pretty far to travel....why don’t you start your own festival?”
“So I did,” says Diana. “That was 11 years ago.”
Founder Diana Watkins. Florida's East Coast Sea Glass Club booth. Display of glass floats.
The festival started out as the Sea Glass Symposium, and was organized by Diana, but she needed lots of help. “I asked the employees at the Barrier Island Center, South Melbourne Beach, Florida, if we could hold the festival at their facility,” Diana says. The facility supports sea turtle education, displays, theater presentations, craft classes, and local student educational programs.
Now known as the Ocean Treasures Festival, the event encompasses a broader theme. “There are lots of talented people with educational booths, ocean-themed artists and crafters, speakers, demos, sea glass and vintage Japanese fishing float displays, food vendors, local music, whale information, book authors, a beachcombing competition with beach finds and awards, and more," says Diana.
Those interested in being part of the festival should contact Joy Winet, who is in charge of lining up educational booths and speakers. All arts and crafts must be handmade and use found shells only — shells can not be store purchased, cultivated, or harvested. “Florida’s East Coast Sea Glass Club members host a table for identification of items found on the beach, and club members display items,” says Diana. “There’s lots of amazing fun to take in at a one-day event.”
Ann Fisk, co-founder of Florida’s East Coast Sea Glass Club, will be making a presentation about sea glass at this year’s festival. Past guests have included Richard LaMotte, author of Pure Sea Glass, and Ed Perry, the founder of the Sea Bean Symposium, who also serves as one of the judges.
“Last year a lady brought in a Kangxi pottery shard from the 1715 treasure fleet,” Diana says. “Ed recognized the pattern, and the founder won an award.” Lots of interesting pieces are found on the east coast of Florida, including a turtle transmitter turned into the Barrier Island Center.
“Bring your favorite beach finds to the show to enter the free Ocean Treasures Competition,” says Diana.
2026 Ocean Treasures Festival
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10 am to 4 pm
Barrier Island Center
8385 Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Free admission
“Thanks to the Barrier Island Center employees and their 25 plus volunteers who all make it happen,“ Diana says. “If you’re in the local area, stop by to enjoy the festival. It‘s easy to spot the building on the beach side — look for the signs on the cars that say I LOVE ❤️ SEAGLASS.”
Learn more on the Facebook event page.
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