amelia island

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

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

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

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

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

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...
Nick Drakus, co-owner of Ice House Antiques, holds a MacGregor Medallion and the book he came across that tells the history of the medals. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Nick Drakus, co-owner of Ice House Antiques, holds a MacGregor Medallion and the book he came across that tells the history of the medals. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

A piece of history returns home

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 1, 2026
A small piece of Amelia Island history has recently made its way to Eighth Street: One of 11 bronze medallions from the 1800s. The rare medallions memorialize the ruling of Gregory MacGregor who planted the shortest-lived flag of the island’s eight-flag history — the Green Cross of Florida.
Cold Tide is a crime thriller set in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville in 1994.

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.
The third annual Wings & Wheels & WHY? was held April 10 at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The third annual Wings & Wheels & WHY? was held April 10 at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Wings & Wheels & WHY?

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
A bright sun, warm breeze and music from The Islanders AI greeted visitors as they entered the third annual Wings & Wheels & WHY? held Saturday at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport.
Brian Barnard paints a whale for the raffle during the Whale Baby Shower hosted by the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors on Wednesday. Photo Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Brian Barnard paints a whale for the raffle during the Whale Baby Shower hosted by the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors on Wednesday. Photo Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

23 Right Whales born this season

Marisa DeMar
Friday, April 10, 2026
Twenty-three North Atlantic right whale calves were born in the 2025-2026 season which spans from mid November to mid April each year.