Earlier this week, the City of Beaufort announced that the Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival will be held at downtown Beaufort’s Henry C. Chamber Waterfront Park on Friday, October 1st and Saturday, October 2nd.
That’s news we love to hear!
Beaufort’s annual Shrimp Festival celebrates Lowcountry cuisine and incorporates lots of fun activities for all ages. The first weekend of October always brings concerts, competitive events and several local restaurants will fill Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park offering samples of Lowcountry dishes featuring local wild-caught shrimp.
COVID-19 canceled last years festival in the park, and this year, following July’s successful Beaufort Water Festival, locals and visitors are hungry for relative normalcy, and that’s one of the reasons we’re looking forward to the upcoming event.
One of Beaufort’s most popular festivals, the Shrimp Festival excitement kicks off at 6pm on Friday, October 1st and includes live music along with several area restaurants previewing their creative shrimp concoctions for Saturday’s serious competitions.
But, you don’t have to wait until the evening arrives because you can enjoy browsing through the festival’s Arts & Crafts Market, which usually starts at 12pm.
On Saturday, October 2nd, the popular Run Forrest Run 5K race starts at 8am, followed by live music throughout the day, children’s activities, the Arts & Crafts Market…and lots and lots and lots of SHRIMP! Visit this link for more on the 5K and to register.
Local restaurants 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 at their restaurant.
Adults will be able to participate in a shrimp heading competition and the kids can enjoy a fun shrimp peeling competition on Saturday as well.
Also at the event, you can enter in the Sea Island Rotary Club’s annual Charity Shrimp Race and check out thousands of rubber shrimp racing as they float down the Beaufort River towards a finish line full of fabulous prizes.
The Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival….celebrating our local food and culture with tons of family fun….Beaufort-style.
We’re glad it’s back. Don’t miss it.
