Fernandina has one of the best and biggest shrimp festivals on the coast. This year it’s the 47th Anniversary for the popular Isle of Eight Shrimp Festival. This year the festival is scheduled for April 30 – May 2, 2010.  Fernandina Shrimp Festival is traditionally held the first weekend in May in the Historic downtown Centre Street business district in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida.
Pirate Parade and Invasion
The party kicks off already on Thursday with an exciting Pirate Parade at 6 p.m. You’ll get to see all kinds of creations in this unique parade – from pirate ships to gigantic shrimp. The theme for this year’s parade is “Name that tune”, and I can’t wait to see what’s going to be performed. Coastal Companion is planning to film the parade this year, so if you happen to see me, make sure to say hello.
Then on Friday it’s time for the opening of the festival and the actual invasion of the pirates Friday night.
There’s also a bunch of contests;  Best Decorated Boat, Best Decorated Pirate, Miss Shrimp Festival pageant, and my personal favorite, the only one I could possibly participate in and win  – the ice cream eating contest.
Plan for lots of people, lots of fun and plan for walking a lot. The Amelia Island River Cruises will run a special ferry boat from St Marys, Georgia over to the festival, so check with them for the schedule. If the weather is nice, it’s a beautiful trip past Cumberland Island and Fort Clinch – and you won’t have to fight traffic that way. (www.ameliaislandrivercruises.com)
For the complete program, visit the website at www.shrimpfestival.com
