22nd Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival around the corner

22nd Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival around the corner

Beaufort Shrimp FestivalIt’s almost time to eat! Main Street Beaufort and the South Carolina Shrimpers Association present the 22nd Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival on Friday, September 30th  and Saturday, October 1st at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort celebrating SC Wild Caught Shrimp and local food and fun in the Lowcountry.

Let’s hope the weather gods show us a good time. After last year’s deluge, they owe us Beaufortonians.

One of Beaufort’s larger and more popular events, the festivities kick off at 6pm on Friday and include live music along with several area restaurants previewing their shrimp dishes for Saturday’s competitions. All restaurants will be using SC Wild Caught Shrimp. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until 6pm because you can browse and shop the festival’s Arts & Crafts Market starting at Noon.

It’s a party in the park you don’ t want to miss on Friday evening with live music on the Pavilion Stage featuring everybody’s favorite party band, Deas Guyz playing from 7 to 10pm.

The popular Shrimp Festival 5K starts on Saturday, October 1st at 8am.
The popular Shrimp Festival 5K starts on Saturday, October 1st at 8am.

The festival’s popular Run Forrest Run 5K (USATF certified course) will begin at 8am on Saturday morning. The Popcorn Shrimp Run for ages 7 and under will begin at 845am on Bay Street at Freedom Mall. (All require advanced registration.)

The event continues on Saturday at 11am with live music all day long, children’s games and activities, and arts and crafts vendors too.  Local restaurants are present putting their unique spins on fresh local shrimp to compete for the “Best Shrimp Dish” and “Best Booth Decoration” voted by a panel of judges, and the “People’s Choice”, which is chosen by festival attendees. The overall winner will be awarded the prestigious “Silver Cup.”  Also, adults will be able to participate in a shrimp heading competition and children in a shrimp peeling competition for various prizes.

Children enjoy a shrimp peeling competition at the Beaufort Shrimp Festival.
Children enjoy a shrimp peeling competition at the Beaufort Shrimp Festival.

Adults will be able to participate in a shrimp heading competition and the kids get their own shrimp peeling competition, both with various prizes.

The music line up is a good one, as always, with area favorites Broke Locals taking the stage and rockin’ the park from 11am to 1pm, The Bull Grapes from 130pm to 3pm and Steel Rail Express from 315pm to 5pm.

Entertainment includes Deas Guyz, Broke Locals, The Bull Grapes and Steel Rail Express
Entertainment includes Deas Guyz, Broke Locals, The Bull Grapes and Steel Rail Express

Don’t miss the Sea Island Rotary Club’s 7th annual Charity Shrimp Race and witness 5,000 rubber floating shrimp racing down the Beaufort River adjacent to Waterfront Park at 3pm. The first 10 shrimp to cross the finish line share $5,000 in cash prizes and have a chance to win a $40,000 boat.

Visit the official Beaufort Shrimp Festival website for more information and to register for the 5K.

This year’s Shrimp Festival looks to be one of the best yet!