Peace, love and shrimp: The 59th Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

The 59th Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival was held over the weekend to celebrate the city’s shrimping history. The annual parade kicked off the festival on Thursday. Feature fireworks, food, fine arts and crafts, free concerts and more attracted thousands of people to Amelia Island throughout the weekend.

Known as the “birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in America,” Fernandina Beach’s popular Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival began in 1964 to celebrate the blessing of the shrimp fleet. It also featured shrimp boat races and formerly was called the “Shrimp Boat Festival.”

Miss Shrimp  Festival, Jenny Ta

1st Runner-up,  Addison Guest

2nd Runner-up, Lillian Dye

Miss Congeniality, Lea Antczak



Best Shrimp Boat Decorating

3rd- Miss Johnnie, (Jack, Bubba Joyner)

2nd- Native Sons, ( Ricky Lucas)

1st- Kimberly Christine ( Ricky Douberly)




Congratulations to the Winners of the 2024 Shrimp Festival Art Show


Best of Show $2500 - Russ and Alison Schmidt

1st Place $1200 - Julie Latayah, 

2nd Place $800 - Steve Whitlock

3rd Place $500 - Will Grant



Judges Choice
- Best in Category $300 Awards
Jeff Thamert
- Photography
Cindy Jenkins
- Pastels
Kristen Moger
- Drawing
Don McCullough
- Sculpture
Magali Groves
- Wood
Jodi Mosley
- Fiber
Adair Hinds
- Acrylic Painting
Larry Smith
- Oil Painting
Leigh Ellis
- Watercolor Painting
Nick Cantrell
- Mixed Media
David Sandridge
- Glass
Robin Rodgers
- Ceramics



Awards of Distinction
Linda Speed, Jackie Maloney, Erin Davis, Jarred Bishop, Danny O’Driscoll, Carol Winner, Douglas Brandow, Joshua Miller, Henry Walsh, Trish Jones, Jeff Paxton, Nancy Conners, Sibel Alpasian, Robert Clibbon, Robin Aronson, Frank Lesse, Katie Kendenburg, Kelly Rysavy, Jenna Hirt



Ice Cream Eating contest- 18 and over

Lea Antczak (miss congeniality in Miss Shrimp Fest) third time in a row she has won this (previously in other age categories) 



Parade  

Best Special Effects - St. Mary’s Pirates Club