AMELIA ISLAND, Florida -- Grog. Food. Music. A nice little island hideaway to escape the authorities. That’s the good life for a pirate, isn’t it? Not anymore. After the pirates invade Amelia Island’s historic city of Fernandina Beach and the fireworks declare their conquest, the buccaneers officially kick off the 43rd Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, running May 5th to May 7th, 2006. The Shrimp Festival Parade is scheduled for Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 6:00pm. This year's theme is "Artist Images of Shrimp."
These days, pirates are a much more cultured lot, willing to share their hard won appreciation for the finer things in life. They proudly show off the fine arts and crafts they’ve discovered, the unique antiques they’ve found, the new music they’ve learned and the expertise they’ve honed in cooking shrimp. They’re also an inspiration to the wee ones.
***image4:left***“This festival celebrates Amelia Island’s history as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry,” said Sandy Price, special events coordinator for the Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee Chamber of Commerce. “The antiques show and the juried fine arts and crafts show, with their world-class pieces, also reflect the cultural diversity and progressive thinking that is the heritage of our island.”
In 2006, Amelia Island’s festival was named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top-20 events for the fifth consecutive year.
Back in 1906, one of our residents gave birth to the modern shrimping industry because, tired of rowing out to catch shrimp, he decided to put a motor on his boat. And they aren’t just any old shrimp -- these are wild-caught Atlantic White Shrimp. They have become popular because of their large size and distinctive taste. In fact, Amelia Island’s waters and her shrimping fleet provide 80 percent of Florida’s Atlantic White Shrimp.
Visitors can share in the “Blessing of the Fleet,” and take a free tour of the
Georgia Bulldog, a working shrimp boat that is also a research vessel for the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service. The “Best Decorated Shrimp Boat Parade and Contest” will also be a crowd pleaser.
All this adds up to a culture that celebrates their livelihood and enjoys a good
shrimp meal. Anyone can boil, peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce, but the pirates think you need to try something a little different.
Each year, more than 300 artists and craftspeople display their fine arts and crafts with hopes of winning first prize in the Fine Art and Crafts Show. The fine arts and crafts exhibit is consistently recognized as one of the best outdoor art events in the U. S. by Sunshine Artist Magazine and features works in oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, pottery, sculpture, photography, as well as works in jewelry, metal, glass, furniture and others.
Treasures of the old will be judged and sold at the festival’s Antique Show. Many of the antiques on display will come from Florida and Georgia, as well as from other states. Some of the items on display will be vintage jewelry, china, glassware, furniture, folk art and nautical items and other booty.
The song says not to let your babies grow up to be cowboys, but no one said anything about pirates. The .”Little Pirate” costume contest will feature the cutest little scallywags this side of the Barbary Coast. The life of a pirate isn’t just for kids; adults also have a pirate costume contest.
There is truly something for everyone at the festival, including the YMCA’s 5K
walk/run and numerous concert stages featuring rock, pop, jazz and folk music.
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival was first was held in 1963 to celebrate the traditional blessing of the shrimp fleet. More than 120,000 people attend the weekend event to enjoy the festival’s food, art and activities. For a complete listing and schedule of events for the 43rd Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, call 866-4- AMELIA, 904-261-3248, or visit www.shrimpfestival.com.
Amelia Island is a barrier island located off the coast of northeast Florida, just 15 miles east of Interstate 95, and a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport. As the only location in America to have been ruled under eight flags, Amelia is rich in history. Downtown Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, now boasts an eclectic assortment of shops for visitors to browse. For visitor information and online trip planning, view the tourist council web site at www.ameliaisland.org.
SOURCE: AIFBY Chamber of Commerce Press Release, Sandy Price