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