Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival - Expired Event

Location

102 Centre Street/P.O. Box 6146
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035

Dates

April 29, 2011 - May 01, 2011 - CONFIRMED!

Description:

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
Arrives Early This Year!

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. â All hands on deck! Visit Fernandina Beach on beautiful Amelia Island on April 29 through May 1, 2011 for the 48th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Presented by Publix, and treat yourself to a feast of the sea and lively entertainment in this historic seaport village â the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry.
Pirates roaming the Atlantic are just one of Amelia Islandâs tales that come to life at this yearâs Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, celebrating all things shrimp since 1964 â catching them, cooking them, eating them and even drawing them. The Southeast Tourism Society has named the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival a Top-20 event nine times. This yearâs line-up of fine food and entertainment is sure to live up to that distinction. Arrrrr!
Festivities Begin Friday Night
Catch fantastic bargains during the Merchants Sidewalk Sale all day Friday â the art and antique show doesnât open until Saturday. The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, presented by Publix, officially kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, April 29, when food booths, entertainment and activities open at the Riverfront and Kids Fun Zone only. The Opening Ceremony officially starts the festivities at 6:30 p.m. on the Riverfront Stage, followed by the Miss Shrimp Festival Scholarship Pageant, Music and a Pirate Invasion, with Fireworks scheduled at 9:45 p.m.
Fine Arts & Crafts and Antiques
On Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when not feasting on shellfish, visitors can enjoy the works of over 300 award-winning artists and craftspeople and their creations in watercolor, acrylics, oils, sculpture, metal, photography, pottery and more, all fully juried to qualify for entry into the show. Best of Show will receive a $1,250 cash prize. The festival also boasts an excellent showing of fine antiques and collectibles, about 75 booths, including furniture, Depression glass, jewelry, crystal and coins. Student artwork from all public and private schools in Nassau County are displayed, with awards for outstanding pieces given by local businesses.
Food and Music
What would a Shrimp Festival be without shrimp? Seafood, shrimp dishes and festival fare abound, all prepared with a local flair and flavor by dozens of volunteer, civic and non-profit organizations from Fernandina Beach and surrounding Nassau County. The treats for the taste buds and eyes are rivaled only by musical performances from regional and local acts that will fill the seaside air with the sounds of jazz, pop, rock, folk, and country. Beach music will be provided by our âhouse bandâ, the ever popular Swinginâ Medallions, who will perform on Sunday afternoon. Get ready to dance!
Family Fun
See colorful pirates swordfight, loot and plunder in the streets after they invade the festival by a pirate shrimp boat â a throwback to the days when Amelia Island was ruled under foreign flags. A âBlessing of the Fleetâ and the âBest Decorated Shrimp Boat Parade and Contestâ on Sunday will entertain guests at the Riverfront. Contests include Adult and Little Pirate Contests and Best Beard Contest on Saturday and a Shrimp Ice Cream Eating Contest on Sunday. Get with the spirit of the festival and entertain the family in the Kids Fun Zone with activities for all ages and entertainment throughout the weekend provided by Rick Hubbardâs Kazoobie Show and JuggleSTUFF, among others. And, donât forget to tighten the wooden leg, Black Beards, and join the YMCA 5-K run on Saturday morning.
Pirate Parade
Join the locals for the pre-festival Pirate Parade, presented by Residence Inn, Amelia Island, to be held on Thursday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m. as it takes over Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach to the theme of \"Shrimping on Island Time\" A Celebration of Island Living. Creative craftsmanship will abound with the imaginative floats and unique entries vying for âBest of Paradeâ honors.

The 48th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Presented by Publix, is hosted by the Shrimp Festival Committee and the City of Fernandina Beach. There are truly memories to be made for everyone at this storied festival. For complete overall festival information and schedule of events for the 48th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Presented by Publix, visit www.shrimpfestival.com.

# # #

Contact name

Sandy Price

Phone

866-426-3542

Event Website

www.shrimpfestival.com

Show hours

Fri 6-10:30, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5

Application Deadline

2011-01-31

Year #

Entertainment

Atlanta Rhythm Section Swingin\' Medallions Fernandina Beach High School Jazz Band Rick Hubbard and The Kazoobie Show more

Activities

Pirate Parade on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 6 pm Kids Fun Zone YMCA 5K Run Blessing of the Fleet Best Decorated Shrimp Boat Parade and Contest Shrimp Ice Cream Eating Contest Adult Best Dressed Pirate Contest Best Beard Contest Kids (age 6+) Best Dressed Pirate Contest more

Art/Craft Space
price

varies - only Antiques space available

Response deadline

2011-01-31

Search for more info on this event:
Google for: Fernandina Beach Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

Maps and Directions (from Google Maps)

For GPS Directories, enter: 102 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034.

# Coming from Georgia, head South to exit 373 (Hwy 200), turn left onto A1A to Amelia Island, then follow the Festival signs.

# Coming from Jacksonville International Airport, take I-95 North to exit 373 (Hwy 200) and go right onto A1A to Amelia Island and then follow the Festival signs.

# Coming North on Highway 17, turn right at Yulee onto A1A (Hwy 200) to Amelia Island, then follow the Festival signs.

# Coming North on A1A, follow road to end, turn right (Hwy 200) and follow the Festival signs.

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