2015 Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival

Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival – 2015 Activities

Known as one of the most tantalizing food festivals in the Southeast, “Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival” on Jekyll Island is a true playground for good and tasty times. Locals and visitors alike will help fill the island’s National Historic Landmark District for a weekend stuffed to the gills with fun activities for all ages.

Cooking Competition – To be staged just behind the historic Morgan Center, the cooking competition is broken up into two divisions – Amateur (Saturday) and Professional (Sunday) – so anyone can enter. Awards and cash prizes will be given to the top three finalists in each division. Professional chefs will judge both competitions, while festivalgoers will have the opportunity to cast “consumer choice” votes for their favorite dishes. (Spectators who purchase a consumer judging ticket – $35 for Amateur and $40 for Professional – will receive a small food sample from each competitor.)

The prizes:

·      Saturday 9/19 – Amateur Cooking Competition

o   1st place $800

o   2nd place $500

o   3rd place $300

·      Sunday 9/20 – Professional Cooking Competition

o   1st place $2,000

o   2nd place $1,000

o   3rd place $500

Both competitions start at 11 a.m. and the cooking ends at 1 p.m. Judging each day begins at 1 p.m. Consumer Choice Judging begins at 1:30 p.m., and judge participants are asked to arrive at the competition tent at 1:15 p.m.

Local Restaurants and Caterers – Located on the main lawn in the Historic District, restaurants and catering companies from the Golden Isles will be showing off their cooking chops with signature shrimp and grits dishes, along with other favorites, throughout the weekend. During Friday’s special Sample Night, festival attendees can get their first taste of each restaurant’s signature dish for $5 per sample.

Live Entertainment – Friday and Saturday on the main lawn, festivalgoers will be able to enjoy live music by regional favorites. Live entertainment throughout the weekend is free for festival attendees.

Southern Living Tent – Inside Southern Living’s dedicated tent, some of the magazine’s noted chefs and editors will stage free cooking and lifestyle demonstrations, offer food tips and even host a book-signing event.

Jekyll Island Experience – Come enjoy the Jekyll Island Experience Tent to explore all things unique to Jekyll Island from art, nature and history.

Arts and Crafts Vendors – More than 100 arts and crafts vendors will be spread throughout the Historic District, primarily in the areas near Pier and Old Plantation roads. These regional artists will sell homemade goods such as jewelry, home décor items, handcrafted gifts and more.

Craft Brew Fest – Presented by Southern Eagle Distributing and located in the historic Morgan Center. Guests age 21 or older will have the opportunity to sample a variety of beers provided by a large selection of breweries. The cost is $15.

·      Friday (9/18) 5:30-8:30 p.m.

·      Saturday (9/19) 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

·      Sunday (9/20) 12:30-4 p.m.

United Way Kid Zone – This kid-friendly play area, located in the Historic District, will offer a variety of activities for children of all ages to enjoy, including face painting, rock wall climbing and zip lining. Some activities may have a height requirement.

VIP Area – Visitors can enhance their festival experience through the purchase of a VIP pass, which entitles the holder to meals catered by Straton Hall and a full bar inside a dedicated, VIP tent adjacent to the main lawn. This VIP area will have a view of the main stage, and ticket holders will receive admission onto Jekyll Island. Exclusive parking also provided. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance.

·      Friday: $75

·      Saturday: $150

·      Sunday: $75

·      All Weekend: $300

Poster Contest – Each year, artists from around the state are invited to create unique pieces commemorating the festival. This year, in celebration of the 10^th annual “Shrimp & Grits,” organizers will showcase winning festival poster submissions from all previous years.

For a more detailed schedule of events, click HERE.