One of the gems of the Golden Isles, the 2011 Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival is just around the corner. This year’s festival kicks off on Friday, September 16th and stretches through the weekend, ending on Sunday, September 18th. A favorite among residents and visitors alike, the festival brings shrimp and grits enthusiasts from across the state to our beautiful Jekyll Island. Featuring both amateur and professional shrimp and grits cooking competitions, shrimp boat tours, cooking demonstrations, book signings, extensive arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and a kids-zone, there is truly something for everyone at the Georgia’s premier Shrimp and Grits Festival. Located at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel National Landmark Historic District, festival hours are as follows:
Friday, September 16: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, September: 17: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, September: 18: 11:00 AM – 4 PM
Feel free to download a brochure from our friends at the Jekyll Island Authority by clicking here.
NEW this year, our friends at Coastal Kitchen are sponsoring a Brew Cruise. Catch a boat from Coastal Kitchen restaurant at the Golden Isles Marina straight to the festival! The boat ride is approximately 45 minutes and docks the Jekyll Island Historic Wharf, right on site at the festival. Tickets are $50 per person, per trip and include drinks on board the boat.
Friday the boat departs Golden Isles Marina at 5:00 PM / Departs Jekyll Island Historic Wharf at 9:15 PM. Saturday the boat departs Golden Isles Marina at 5:00 PM / Departs Jekyll Island Historic Wharf at 9:15 PM. And Sunday the boat departs Golden Isles Marina at 11:30 AM / Departs Jekyll Island Historic Wharf at 4:00 PM.
Additionally, the people at Beachview Tent Rentals, Coca-Cola, and DirectTV are sponsoring a VIP tent, also new this year. In between dining and shopping, the VIP tent will be available to enjoy comfortable shaded seating and satellite broadcast of your favorite weekend football games. VIP Guests also receive up-close parking at the Shrimp & Grits Festival, three Sample Passes for Friday Night’s $3 Sample Night, 1 Lunch/Dinner Pass for Saturday or Sunday, a Shrimp & Grits Festival Poster, 1 lb bag of stone ground grits from Logan Turnpike Mills, and other select gifts. Tickets are $55.
Cooking demonstrations, book signings, and appearances will be provided by Chef Gena Knox, Chef Joe Randall, and Chef Warren Caterson.
To learn more about shrimp boat tours aboard the Lady Jane, the Shrimp and Grits 3 Race Challenge, arts and crafts vendors, cooking competitions, extreme trampoline show, the birds of prey demonstration, and other activities throughout the weekend, please visit our friends and the Jekyll Island Authority.
Members of the Classic Coastal Homes group attended the festival last year and had a fantastic time. We recommend the Jekyll Island Club booth for their amazing shrimp and grits (be sure to pick up a copy of their recipe) and the “Birds of Prey” show. Here’s a little clip from last years festival. Enjoy! And, see you at the festival!
