It’s finally here. The 31st Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival is happening this weekend, Friday and Saturday, October 3rd and 4th, at downtown Beaufort’s picturesque Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
Beaufort’s annual Shrimp Festival celebrates Lowcountry cuisine and incorporates lots of fun activities for all ages. The festivities always includes concerts, arts & crafts, educational activities and two fun days of several local cookers filling Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park offering samples of Lowcountry dishes featuring local wild-caught shrimp.
One of Beaufort’s most popular festivals, the excitement kicks off at 5pm Friday and includes live music starting at 5:15 by Threshold Party Band and then Billy and the Jets takes the stage with the music of Elton John & Billy Joel at 7:15pm along with several area
cookers previewing their creative shrimp concoctions for Saturday’s serious competitions.
But, you don’t have to wait until this evening arrives because you can enjoy browsing through the festival’s Arts & Crafts Market, which starts at 12pm.
The event will continue on Saturday with the popular Run Forrest Run 5K race starting at 8am, followed by live music throughout the day starting at 12pm featuring The Parris Island Marine Band, followed by The Deckhands, and Lyn Avenue. There will also be a Kids Corner festuring Rogue Magician, and the Arts & Crafts Market…and lots and lots and lots of SHRIMP!
Local cookers will be set up throughout the park serving their best while vying for the trophies including Best Shrimp Dish, which is voted on by a panel of shrimp-familiar judges, and the People’s Choice award, which is voted on by you. The overall winner will be awarded the Silver Cup and will have a full year of bragging rights.
This year’s line up of delicious seafood and other delectable food includes offerings from Bellyfull By Tyger, Mother Smokin’ Good, Food Savvy Spices, Sea Eagle Market, Sea Eagle Fusion, and treats from Meg’s Sweet Treats and Sassy Sweets, and many more.
Also at the event on Saturday, you can enter in the Sea Island Rotary Club’s annual Charity Shrimp Race at 3pm and check out thousands of rubber shrimp racing as they float down the Beaufort River towards a finish line full of fabulous prizes with a Grand Prize of $30,000.
If you need help with parking in downtown, because it can be a challenge sometimes, visit our Downtown Beaufort Parking Map.
The 31st Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival ….celebrating our local food and culture with tons of family fun….Beaufort-style.
Don’t miss it.
