A LOCAL’S PERSPECTIVE OF THE SHRIMP FESTIVAL

Steaming Pot of Shrimp, Festival Parade

I guess you could call me a seasoned Shrimp Fest aficionado, having 15 under my belt. This is an annual tradition here on Amelia Island, always the first weekend in May each year.The 46^th annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival (May 1-3, 2009) will likely attract 130,000 to 150,000 people to Amelia Island, Florida over the weekend.

The fireworks are always a big hit, so head downtown Friday evening, May 1, 2009, to the Fernandina Harbor for the pirate invasion and fireworks display (as always, pirates sail into the harbor around 9:30, followed by the fireworks around 9:45). Over the weekend, attend the art show on Saturday and Sunday.  Browse over 300 fine arts and craft vendor booths, get a bite to eat (the bulk of the food vendors line Front Street near the harbor), listen to live entertainment at the marina stage, and hit the “Southwest Airlines Kids' Korner.” The kids migrate toward this family fun zone, with bungee, rock climbing, spinning gyro gym, slide, bouncy rooms, and other concessions. Entertainment in the Kids' Korner on Saturday includes performances by the local Bean School of Dance at 11 a.m., and Juggling by Rick Hubbard and Juggle Stuff.

In my experience as one of the Fernandina folk, there are three phases of visiting the Shrimp Festival each year: phase one -- the Thursday night parade; phase two -- the Friday night fireworks; phase 3 -- the weekend festivities (browsing art, the Kids' Korner, the live entertainment and food). 

SHRIMP FEST PARADE IS A RITUAL

Pirate Ship, Shrimp Fest Parade

For locals, attending the Shrimp Fest parade on Thursday evening is an annual ritual here in Fernandina Beach (as always, it starts at 6 pm, this year April 30th, 2009.) I’ve watched, photographed, and applauded the parade, a real glimpse of small-town Americana. Taken as a whole, one might compare the parade to a Norman Rockwell painting come to life (although a more contemporary one, as there will be cell phones and more tattoos on the public these days). After all, some call Fernandina a “tropical Mayberry.” The parade is, indeed, a symbol of small-town community pride, with just about every organization in town participating with a float or group marching. 

Fernandina Shrimp Boats Dock at Harbor

This year in 2009, the April 30th parade theme is “Home Grown Shrimp, the Pick of the Litter,” fitting, considering this is the Shrimp Festival, and Fernandina is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry.

Local residents really do turnout for the parade and put man hours into making their parade floats. If you’ve never attended, try to make it this year, especially if you could use a dose of “feel good.”  With the current state of the economic environment, we could all use an uplifting event where spirits will be high. If you have kids or grandchildren, they’ll especially love it.

ALSO WATCH SHRIMP FESTIVAL VIDEO FEATURING SHRIMP FESTIVAL PARADE, FIREWORKS, KIDS FUN ZONE, ART BOOTHS (VIDEO FROM LAST YEAR'S 2008 FESTIVAL)...

PARADE OF PRIDE IN FERNANDINA

Fernandina Beach Shriners, Shrimp Fest Parade

For local folk, there’s a likelihood that at least one family member is actually in the parade, or there lining the historic district streets, cheering, clapping, grinning. People come downtown and line both Ash Street and Centre Street, lawn chairs in tow, many arriving very early to scope out their spot along the parade route. The old timers are present, the middle-aged, young adults, teenagers and little ones – five generations of citizens gravitate to the heart of Fernandina’s historic district. At no other time of the year is the warmth of this town on display more, than at the annual Shrimp Festival parade. 

Fernandina locals crowd downtown for Shrimp Fest Parade

There’s the civil servants like police, fire department, coast guard, local government reps, church groups, athletic teams, schools, and local businesses, and more. The Miss Shrimp Festival contestants ride by, waving to the crowds, the high school marching bands, the steel bands, the obnoxiously-loud Shriners on their motorized dune buggies, and of course, the pirates aboard their ship, firing the canons (that feel like they’ll blow your ear drums if they fire in front of you). The gymnasts do their cartwheels and flips down the street, the karate kids show some of their moves, and many parade participants hand out candy to the kids along the parade route, much to their delight.

Shrimp Festival Parade Hillbillies

It’s a parade procession that lasts about an hour and a half. And when it’s all over, you feel like you did something good, being present at this community event.  Many of today’s kids will remember going to this parade into their old age. Even if they move away, it will be a warm childhood memory that may fade somewhat with time, but will live on.

MORE ABOUT SHRIMP FEST WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

I’ve mingled with the Shrimp Fest crowds along Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach (and the side streets from 8^th to Front Street), browsed hundreds of art booths over the years (admired the work of many talents artists), heard some great bands such as John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Beatle Mania, and the Swingin’ Medallions. (See the Swingin’ Medallions, the “party band of the south” at the harbor front stage on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.)

BROWSING THE FINE ARTS & CRAFTS BOOTHS, AND THE ANTIQUE VENDORS

I’ve bought something each year at the Shrimp Festival from the fine arts and crafts artisans, whether it be a water color painting, custom jewelry, a ceramic pot, or handcrafted vase. The local Island Art Association handles the fine arts and crafts, and screens potential participants. Realize that this is a great show, featuring over 300 juried artists and craftsmen. According to the Island Art Association, the Shrimp Festival’s fully juried arts and crafts exhibit “has been consistently recognized as one of the best art events in North America by Sunshine Artist Magazine.”   (Also visit the Amelia Island Art Association's web site at www.islandart.org.)

Many would say that the artwork is the most outstanding part of the festival.  But the atmosphere is festive and fun for kids, too, and enjoyable for those who aren’t art collectors -- as long as you don’t mind crowds. But the crowds are well behaved, since alcohol is not served in streets – the primary festival area. Be mindful of the open container law – no alcoholic beverages outdoors in the festival streets. You must go into a bar or restaurant that has a liquor license to get a cocktail, beer or wine, and you must stay in the establishment to drink it.

During the festival, I’ve eaten at many vendor booths -- the fried seafood plates, shrimp pie, Italian sausage, sugar-powdered funnel cakes, and more. Remember you’re eating for a good cause, since all food booths are run by a local, Nassau County, Florida non-profit organization, so they are fundraising. There are no commercial food vendors.  You can find shrimp cooked many ways -- grilled shrimp, cajun shrimp, garlic shrimp, popcorn shrimp, shrimp salad, shrimp twisters, boiled shrimp, shrimp quesadillas, and more.

As far as the weather during Shrimp Fest, the norm is hot. The weather does dictate the crowds. If it’s fair weather, expect the masses to invade the town, along with the pirates. It’s been sweltering and humid at times, but then again, occasionally cold. Your best bet, though, is to plan on bringing some sun screen.

IT’S THE PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME IN FERNANDINA

Dress like a Pirate, Shrimp Festival...

If you ever thought “it’s the pirates life for me,”  now’s the time to dress like a pirate and wander the town, since you’ll fit in. Enter the pirate look-alike contests for both adults and kids. If you’re not game, then just enjoy the other pirates mulling about. Pirates are also a feature of the parade, and some hand out pirate trinkets -- bead necklaces in shades of shimmering gold, purple, and green. The pirate invasion by ship, sailing into the harbor firing canons, will be Friday evening, at around 9:30 pm, and then again on Saturday afternoon.

The kids do look forward to the Shrimp Festival and family fun zone, the "Southwest Airlines Kids' Korner."  The Shrimp Fest weekend hours are 9 am to 8 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. (See link at end of article to the complete Shrimp Fest activities schedule.) Note that during the day on Friday,  Fernandina’s downtown merchants in the historic district traditionally hold their annual sidewalk sale, so it’s a good time for browsing along Centre Street (10:00 am - 5:00 pm).

Not all locals, however, go to the Shrimp Fest. Some people don’t like the invasion of Amelia Island -- the crowds and the traffic.  These folks see it as a good time to get away from Amelia for the weekend. Others look forward to Shrimp Festival as the ultimate party weekend. In fact, other than the Florida-Georgia college football game weekend in the fall, there are probably more house parties going on around Amelia Island during Shrimp Fest, than any other time of the year. Parties, food, with drinks flowing – there’s a party atmosphere as reliable as the tides -- during Shrimp Festival weekend each year on Amelia Island.

You also may bump into local “celebrities,” such as the news anchors from the main TV stations in Jacksonville. They film the event, conduct interviews, and usually have a booth at the festival, as do the local press, the Fernandina Beach News-Leader, and Jacksonville Times Union newspapers.

A visit to Fernandina for the Shrimp Festival will give you some flavor of this town, especially if you make it to the parade on Thursday night, or the Friday evening events that really bring out the locals. If you’re more interested in the artwork and will only visit Fernandina for one day, realize the arts, crafts, and antiques show is only on Saturday and Sunday. (Sunday morning is usually less crowded for browsing the fine arts and crafts booths.)

Watch Shrimp Festival videos at Amelia Island Living© eMagazine’s social media network  at www.ameliaislandliving.NET .  ONLINE NEWS:  This year is the first time in its long history that the Shrimp Festival organization is now on social media networks Facebook and Twitter, so you can check it out there, too.

PARKING FOR THE ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL

Out-of-towners can follow the posted signs, as you come onto the island, and be directed to festival parking lots (some offer a shuttle bus to the downtown festival area.) For further info on parking and complete entertainment schedule visit the official festival web site at www.ShrimpFestival.com . _________