10th Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival

October 07, 2004 - October 09, 2004

The Beaufort Shrimp Festival begins Thursday, October 7 in celebration of its Tenth Anniversary. It's free and open to the public. The film Forrest Gump, partially shot in Beaufort and Savannah ten years ago, was the inspiration for the first festival. Sponsored by and shown at Highway 21 Drive-In and Open Air Market. At no cost.

The Golf Tournament, sponsored by AFLAC, will be played Friday, October 8 at South Carolina National with shotgun start at 1 pm and concluding with awards and a lowcountry boil supper. A foursome can play for $350, or individual golfers for $100 each. The Nineteenth Hole is sponsored by Miller Lite. Awards presentations will follow the tournament at a Lowcountry Boil Dinner sponsored by Miller Lite and Adventures in Advertising.

Free entertainment in Waterfront Park and historic downtown Beaufort will be by The Cigar Store Indians Friday at 7 pm. Fresh local shrimp and fried and boiled shrimp dinners will be available for purchase from the S.C. Shrimpers Association beginning at 5 pm.

The 5K Run and 5K Walk begin at 8 am on Saturday, October 9 at Bay and Newcastle Street. Registration fees for the 5K Run are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. The run is sponsored by Mardale Imaging Solutions, Craft Built Homes, the Beaufort Gazette, Carolina Morning News, MCAS Federal Credit Union and Spectrum Graphics.

Registration fees for the 5K Walk through History are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the event. The walk is sponsored by Seacoast Synergy and SC Education Lottery.

The Popcorn Shrimp Run, for ages 7 and under, registration $5, begins at 8:45 am, also at Bay and Newcastle. It is sponsored by ISLC, Sea Island Pediatrics, Hobbit Hill, Too and Lady's Island Medical Associates.

Saturday's events continue at 11 am in Waterfront Park with music, arts and craft vendors and a celebration of shrimp provided by 15 local restaurants. Food purchase price varies from $1 up. Live entertainment, activities for children and the Blessing of the Fleet take place during the afternoon.

A new event this year is the Forrest Gump movie character look-alike contest at 2 pm with prizes awarded. It's free, but advance registration is required.

The festival concludes with a free concert by Deanna Bogart at 7:30 pm plus more fresh local shrimp dinners available for purchase beginning at 5 pm.

Complete schedule
Oct. 8
5 - 7 pm - Saucey Brown
7:15 - 10:15 pm - Cigar Store Indians

Oct. 9
11 am - 12:30 pm - Red Moon
12:30 - 1 pm - Blessing of the Fleet
1 - 2 pm - Red Moon
2 - 2:30 pm - "Forrest Gump" Character Look Alike Contest
2:30 - 5 pm - The Snazzy Red
5:15 - 7:15 pm - Island Trio
7:30 - 11 pm - Deana Bogart

Admission: free Sponsor: Hargray, SC Shrimpers Assoc. and Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce Information: Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce 1(800) 638-3525 or 1(843) 524-3163