Shrimp Festival

The Insiders performed on the main stage Friday at Shrimp Fest. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Insiders performed on the main stage Friday at Shrimp Fest. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

IN PHOTOS: Live music at Shrimp Fest

News Staff
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Live music was scheduled to be performed on all four days during the 61st Shrimp Festival.
Sunday saw a surge in attendance after rain dampened Saturday’s festivities. Photo by Amy Mulligan/News-Leader

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.
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

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

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

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

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.