The 25thAnnual Beaufort Shrimp Festival, celebrating SC Wild Caught Shrimp and local food and fun here in the Lowcountry, is coming up on Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort. One of Beaufort’s larger and most popular events, the festival kicks off at 6 pm on Friday and includes live music along with several area restaurants previewing their shrimp dishes for Saturday’s competitions. All restaurants will be using SC Wild Caught Shrimp.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until 6 pm for the fun to begin because you can browse and shop the festival’s Arts & Crafts Market starting at Noon.
The festival’s popular Run Forrest Run 5K (USATF certified course) will begin at 8 am on Saturday morning. The Popcorn Shrimp Run for ages 7 and under will begin at 8:30 am. All require advanced registration. Visit this link: https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Beaufort/2019RunForrestRun5k
The event continues on Saturday at 11 am with local restaurants putting their unique spins on fresh local shrimp to compete for the “Best Shrimp Dish” and “Best Booth Decoration” voted by a panel of judges, and the “People’s Choice,” chosen by festival attendees. The overall winner will be awarded the prestigious “Silver Cup.”
Adults can participate in a shrimp heading competition and children in a shrimp peeling competition for various prizes. Don’t miss the children’s games and activities, and arts and crafts vendors too. Be sure not to miss the Annual Sea Island Rotary Club’s Charity Shrimp Race and witness 5,000 rubber floating shrimp racing down the Beaufort River adjacent to Waterfront Park at 3 pm. The first 10 shrimp to cross the finish line share $5,000 in cash prizes and the first 100 shrimp have a chance to win a car or boat!
