The Beaufort Shrimp Festival is not your typical seafood celebration. While they celebrate the delicious crustaceans and the industry that harvests them, the festival encompasses so much more. The festival is held at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on the lush banks of the Beaufort River. This is an ideal location because there are beautiful views of the city of Beaufort to the north and stunning natural vistas to the south. The festival is free to enter and is a great place to absorb the local culture.
Fifteen local restaurants bring their operations and delicious shrimp dishes to the park to compete in categories that include “Best Shrimp Dish”, “Best Booth Decoration” and “The People's Choice Award”. The overall winner of these categories wins the coveted Silver Cup. To accent the fun and excitement of the competition there are a wide variety of arts and crafts to observe and purchase. In addition live music is played on the main stage featuring popular regional acts.The morning before the competition, there is a 5k run/walk that is great fun for all ages. To cap off this fun festival is the unique Charity Shrimp Race sponsored by the Rotary Club. Contestants will sponsor one of thousands of rubber shrimp that are thrown into the river and the first 10 to wash ashore win prizes. We got the opportunity to interview Lanelle Fabian, the Executive Director of Main Street Beaufort, USA, about the festival.
RAL: Give me a rundown of the event, who attends and what makes it unique...
LF: This is the 21st Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival. Each year we draw between 7,000-10,000 people to beautiful downtown Beaufort. Our latest survey shows Nearly 27% of attendees are 51-60 years of age. 47% are married with no children under the age of 18 living at home. The event is also family oriented. It includes a children’s area, free admission, and food that includes more than just shrimp. This event celebrates the shrimping industry and South Carolina wild caught shrimp. Restaurants are required to use only this type of shrimp.
RAL: Take me through a typical day at the event include activities, special guests, food, location...
FL: There are a wide variety of activities that include a 5K Bridge Run/Walk, Arts & Crafts Market, Adult Shrimp Heading and Children’s Shrimp Peeling Competitions, Charity Shrimp Race, live entertainment and even a restaurant competition. Friday Night's Band is Deaz Guys, a very popular band out of Hilton Head and Saturday's music will come from The Sweetgrass Angels and the Marine Corps Parris Island's Brass Band. Thirteen local restaurants are the food vendors for this event. They will of course be serving shrimp dishes, but will also have different types of food available for purchase. Downtown Beaufort also boasts 31 independently-owned restaurants that offer many types of food. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park couple with the Beaufort River serve as the perfect backdrop for the event. The park is lush, clean and a great place to celebrate shrimp and the community.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging and does it hit maximum capacity during the festival?
FL: Downtown Beaufort is home to historic B&Bs/Inns as well as a boutique hotel and historic motel. All are the first to book because they are ‘must stay at’ places and are within walking distance to the event. Many book for the next year’s event before leaving this year’s; especially in the lodging options in downtown. Even our marina is booked several months in advance.
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community and local economy?
FL: This event celebrates our local shrimping industry and our historic downtown. It serves as a homecoming for locals and yearly vacation for visitors. Free admission and an open park encourage shopping and touring our historic downtown. The event is a kick-off to the fall tourist season and businesses look forward to an increase in sales. The Beaufort community is welcoming to visitors and looks forward to the festival each year.
RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?
FL: This event is produced by and a fundraiser for Main Street Beaufort, USA, a local non-profit organization working to revitalize our downtown. The SC Shrimpers Association also receives money from this event as they promote SC Wild Caught shrimp across the state.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
FL: A celebration of fresh shrimp on the water in fall in the South on the coast of South Carolina in the heart of a historic downtown over 300 years old. How could you not create a memory?
For more information on this fun and unique festival please visit their website.