29th Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival

The Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival will be held at downtown Beaufort’s Henry C. Chamber Waterfront Park on Friday, October 6th and Saturday, October 7th.

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.

One of Beaufort’s most popular festivals, the Shrimp Festival excitement kicks off at 5pm on Friday, October 6th 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 is scheduled from 12pm to 6pm.

Food vendors include Belly Full by Tyger (soul food), Food Savvy, Island Fudge Shoppe, Mother Smokin’ Good BBQ, Sea Eagle Market, Signature Catering, Teen Challenge Tasty Creations, Tipsy Ice, and Tout Sweet Macaroons.

Friday’s music line up includes Ces Hage at 5pm, Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi tribute band, taking the stage at 7pm, but the music starts at 5pm.

On Saturday, October 7th, 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 info 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.

Saturday’s all day music line up includes Jason Lee Cook at 11am, the Parris Island Marine Band at 1pm, Bennett Coleman at 215pm, and it will be followed by local performer Katie Lynn at 315pm to close out the festival.

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.

Don’t miss it.