amelia island

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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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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.