Shrimp & Grits Festival
The Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island, GA, is all about combining two Southern favorites foods – shrimp and grits.
The festival takes place during Georgia Wild Shrimp month.
The festival weekend is a wild mix of events, from cooking demonstrations, to shrimp eating contest, entertainment, Frisbee dogs, three races and much more.
Come to beautiful Jekyll Island for delicious Southern coastal cuisine. The festival is set in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Festival goers can sit in the shade under the majestic live oaks and dine on delicious Georgia shrimp prepared by some of the area’s top restaurants.
The Shrimp & Grits Festival is scheduled for Friday, September 16, 2011 – Sunday, September 18, 2011.
Here is our interview:
$3 Sample Night
The festival kicks off on Friday with samples and votes. Friday night is $3 sample night, back by popular demand. It works like this; get a $3 sample of shrimp & grits from each vendor and cast your vote for your favorite dish at the festival this year.
The Best Shrimp & Grits in Town – Cooking Competitions
Sign up for the amateur or professional cooking competitions for your chance to claim the title of Best Shrimp & Grits Recipe! The amateurs compete on Saturday and professionals on Sunday.
For Serious Shrimp Lovers Only
Did you know that you can be part of the Consumer Choice Panel judge by calling the Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center at 877-4-JEKYLL? Spaces are limited to 30 per competition and the price is $25 to participate.
VIP Tickets
So what’s in the VIP Ticket package? Here’s the break down:
- Four tickets for $3 samples at the Friday Night $3 sample night (one ticket per sample)
- 1 lb bag of stone ground grits
- Gift certificate for a 1/2 lb of Georgia shrimp
- Festival poster signed by the artist.
- With a VIP ticket you also get to park close to the Shrimp & Grits Festival.
VIP Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center at 912-635-3636 or 1-877-4JEKYLL.
Festival Hours
Friday, September 17 – 5:30 PM – 8 PM
Saturday, September 18 – 10 AM – 9 PM
Sunday, September 19 – 11 AM – 4 PM
Parking
Parking on Friday night is in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Parking on Saturday and Sunday is located at the parking lots north and south of the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Free transportation to the festival will be provided by Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours. Shuttles begin service 30 minutes before the festival opens and remain in service 1 hour after the festival closes.
