Shrimp & Grits Festival Goes Big

here’s nothing “shrimpy” about Jekyll Island’s Shrimp and Grits Festival, well… other than the crustacean’s spot as a main attraction. Every year it just gets bigger and better. The spirited three-day event is a coastal favorite that combines the classic Southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, live music, a kids’ zone, food, a craft brew fest, wildlife demonstrations,

and more. From Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18, the oak-lined National Historic Landmark District will be filled with delightful Southern delicacies, lively entertainment, and non-stop fun for all ages.

For the foodies, there are captivating guest chef demonstrations and never-ending variations on the classic shrimp and grits dish, including the amateur and professional cooking competitions. If you’re a beer aficionado, there’s the always-popular Craft Brew Fest, presented by Southern Eagle Distributing with so many opportunities for tasting! There will also be cooking and lifestyle presentations by Southern Living experts throughout the weekend in the Southern Living Pavilion.

Music lovers, you’re in for a real treat! Not only will there be live music by popular regional artists on three stages, this year there will be a concert on Friday evening in the beautiful oceanfront convention center. The featured performer at the Friday concert is Grammy-nominated Nashville recording artist David Nail.

The weekend is perfect for family fun. There’s a special kids’ zone that includes bounce houses crafts and more. There will also be wildlife demonstrations in the Jekyll Island Experience Pavilion. If it’s art you love, more than 100 art and craft vendors will have handcrafted goods like painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, and clothing – something for every interest.

This year, there is an expanded festival area as well as a VIP Pavilion and new lounge areas. The VIP experience promises to be extra special too. Benefits include daily entrance to the island, on-site Festival parking a short distance from the VIP tent, which is elevated and cooled with fans, prime view of the Main Stage, VIP access to Indian Mound Cottage, a phone-charging station, daily catered meals and snacks from Straton Hall Events, and unlimited beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, provided by Southern Eagle Distributing and Coca-Cola). So live it up in high style like Indian Mound’s former owner, Mr. Rockefeller did.

General admission to the festival is free. Tickets for the VIP Experience, lounges, Craft Brew Fest, presented by Southern Eagle Distributing, and David Nail concert will be available online. For more information, including the latest three-day schedule for the 2016 Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival, visit jekyllisland.com/shrimpgrits.