(photo courtesy of Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival)

Florida’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival promises shrimp, a variety of seafood and delicacies, and more food! Always held on the first weekend in May, the Festival’s 44th year will kick off on May 3rd with the Pirate Parade. The theme for this year’s parade is "Artist Images of Shrimp".

The Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is held on Historic Amelia Island. The Festival’s organizers say it is “Florida's Golden Isle that the French visited, the Spanish developed, the English named, and the Americans tamed. It is the only U.S. location to have been under eight different flags.” The Island's first recorded European visitor was France’s Jean Ribault on May 3, 1562.

Besides the great food, the Festival presents a Fine Arts & Crafts Show featuring over 300 juried artists and craftspeople. You can also take in the fireworks display, a 5K Run, and a 1-Mile Youth Run. For the kids there’s the Family Fun Zone with games, face painting, sand art, a rock-climbing wall, a food court, trampoline fun, superslide, and a live entertainment pavilion.

The final day, Sunday, May 6th, will be marked with the Blessing of the Fleet and the Best Decorated Shrimp Boat Parade.

Get schedule & travel info at the Festival web site: Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival