Local

Sunday saw a surge in attendance after rain dampened Saturday’s festivities. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

Thousands flock to Shrimp Fest

Nick Blank

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Each year, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival brings thousands to downtown Fernandina Beach, where they patronize the city’s hotels, shops and restaurants.

Charity Stiers holds a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce staff to celebrate her new ownership on Monday. Submitted photo

Donut shop starts sweet new chapter

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

When Charity Stiers moved to Fernandina Beach with her fiance three years ago she took a job at Vintage Donuts as a way to meet people in the community. Little did she know that just a few years later she would be the owner of the business.

Father Eric Stelzer of St. Michaels Catholic Church blesses the fleet Sunday at the 61st Annual Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Counting their blessings

Nick Blank

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at the packed Shrimp Festival, the music stopped and all eyes went toward the water to honor the legacy of the festival, the shrimpers themselves.Shrimp boats greeted a large crowd at the Fernandina Harbor Marina as Father Eric Stelzer blessed the fleet Sunday afternoon.

The shrimp eating contest was held Saturday at the 61st Annual Shrimp Festival. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: Shrimp Eating Contest

News Staff

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The shrimp eating contest was held Saturday at the 61st Annual Shrimp Festival.

Shrimp Fest gets rained on Saturday. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: Saturday at Shrimp Fest

News Staff

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The rain forced a few shrimp festival events off the schedule, but the festival went on. By the afternoon, the weather had mostly cleared and events continued as scheduled.

The first-ever Shrimp Fest drone show was held Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: First-ever Shrimp Fest Drone Show

Ashley Chandler

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Due to the current drought, Shrimp Festival coordinators decided to nix the fireworks display and instead host the first-ever Shrimp Fest Drone Show.

Brian Leary, also known as Swordmaster, right, on stage during the Pirate Invasion on Friday. Leary composed the music for the Pirate Club’s program. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Swordmaster’s original music leads Pirate Invasion

Ashley Chandler

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The lights dim on the stage at the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Epic music sounds and pirates rush the stage as cannons sound from three different locations.The Pirates had invaded.

The 2026 Shrimp Festival Parade awards were announced during the Miss Shrimp Festival pageant on Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: Shrimp Festival Parade Awards

Ashley Chandler

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The 2026 Shrimp Festival Parade awards were announced during the Miss Shrimp Festival pageant on Friday.

The annual Shrimp Festival Parade was held Thursday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: Shrimp Festival Parade

Ashley Chandler

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The 61st Annual Eight Flags Shrimp Festival's theme this year was Stars and Shrimps Forever celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The parade kicked off events Thursday with floats featuring patriotic imagery, shrimp and of course, pirates.

The 2026 Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant was held Friday. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant

Ashley Chandler

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The 2026 Miss Shrimp Festival pageant was held Friday at the Fernandina Harbor MarinaThe 2026 Miss Shrimp Festival is Grace Scuderi. Miss Congeniality and First Runner-Up is Talia Anassis; and Second Runner-Up is Caitlyn Terry.