Fernandina Beach

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.

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

IN PHOTOS: 61st Annual Isle Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

News Staff

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Follow the link to view the different News-Leader photo galleriesTHURSDAYShrimp Festival ParadeFRIDAYOpening CeremonyMiss Shrimp Festival pageant Shrimp Festival Parade awardsPirate InvasionDrone ShowSATURDAYShrimp Eating ContestSUNDAYBlessing of the FleetGENERAL GALLERIESLive music at Shrimp...

Cold Tide is a crime thriller set in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville in 1994.

Author pens Fernandina thriller

Nick Blank

Friday, April 24, 2026

A recently released thriller based in Fernandina Beach examines the relationship between justice and reputation when a decades-old crime resurfaces in a small coastal town, according to its author. With a background in public relations, author Archie Royce said image and reputation shape reality.

Visitors at the Midweek Farmers Market in Fernandina Beach earlier this year. The market is on a hiatus while parking requirements are sorted out. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Midweek market comes to temporary halt

Marisa DeMar

Friday, April 24, 2026

The Fernandina Beach midweek market at the corner of South 14th Street and Lime Street usually attracts a bustling crowd of customers during the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday.