Fresh Fernandina Shrimp (photo by Sandy Price)

Priates roaming the Atlantic are just one of Amelia Island's tales that will come to life 45th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Fesital. The Festival begins on Friday, May 2nd and will continue through Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th. You can treat yourself to a feast of the sea and enjoy some lively entertainment by getting to Florida's historic Fernandina Beach, the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. Celebrating all things shrimp since 1964, the Festival will entertain visitors with pirates, special musical guests, and artists from all over the country.

Food, Antiques, Fine Arts & Crafts

What would a shrimp Festival be without shrimp? Seafood and shrimp dishes will abound, all prepared with a local flare and flavor by volunteer organizations from the area of Fernandina Beach. When not feasting on shellfish or other Festival fare, visitors can take in the works of more than 300 award-winning artists and craftspeople. Their creations in watercolor, acrylics, oils, sculpture, metalwork, photography pottery, and more, have all been fully juried to qualify for entry to the show. The Festival also boasts an excellent showing of fine antiques and collectibles, including furniture, depression glass, jewelry, crystal and coins.

The treats for the taste buds and eyes are rivaled only by the musical performances from regional and local acts that will fill the seaside air on two stages with the sounds of jazz, pop, rock, folk, country, and of course, beach music!

Family Fun

See colorful pirates swordfight, loot and plunder in the streets after they invade the Festival by a pirate shrimp boat, a throwback to the days when Amelia Island was ruled by foreign flags. Families can dress up like pirates for the adult and "Little Pirate" costume contests, and bearded visitors can compete for the title of "Best Beard" on Saturday. The "Blessing of the Fllet" and the "Best Decorated Shrimp Boat Parade & Contest" will entertain the crowd on Sunday. All weekend long visitors will be able to take a free tour of the Georgis Bulldog, a working shrimp boat that's also a research vessel for the University of Georgia. The Family Fun Zone will feature activities for kids of all ages and entertainment by Rick Hubbard's Kazoobie Show and JuggleSTUFF, along with performances by local dance schools and others. If you're feeling athletic. on Saturday morning you can participate in the YMCA 5-K run on the beach.

Pirate Parade

Join the locals for the pre-Festival parade on the evening of Thursday, May 1st at 6:00 as it takes over Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach. This year's theme is "Dawn of the Modern Shrimp Industry (Tribute to Shrimpers). Creative craftsmanship will abound with the imaginative floats and unique entries vying for "Best of Parade" honors.

This is a Festival that truly has something for everyone and with over 40 years of experience these folks know how to do it right!

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