Ready, set, eat – Jekyll Island’s Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
By – Olivia Varnson

Another summer has come and gone and the arrival of autumn is fast upon us. One of my favorite things about the season of autumn is the lineup of fall festivals both near and far. These festivals come along at the perfect time, a halfway point between the end of summer and the beginning of the holiday season. Festivals can give you a jolt of inspiration as you prepare for upcoming obligations. I cannot think of a better place to enjoy a fall festival than in a charismatic and historic location like Jekyll Island.

The eighth annual Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival will be held from September 20 to 22 in the Historic Landmark District of Jekyll Island. With the calm sea nearby, guests of the festival will enjoy the local Wild Georgia Shrimp paired with a Southern staple bowl of grits. Past festivals have included events such as a Professional Chef Cooking Competition, an Amateur Cooking Competition and a Craft Brew Fest.

Joining those events this year will be Southern Living magazine with Southern Living Presents: Songwriter in the Round, an exclusive concert and dinner. Restaurant Latitude 31º will be providing fresh seafood, pastas, beef and wine while country music artist Rob Crosby will give a private performance.

Throughout this three-day event, guests will be able to explore the 250-acre Historic Landmark District. Thirty-three buildings, mansions and cottages in the district are well preserved from the Jekyll Island Club era. These buildings once served as homes and meeting places for a hunting and recreational club, members included some of the world’s wealthiest families such as the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts. The Jekyll Island Club era saw success from the late 19^th century and into the 20^th century before the state of Georgia purchased the island in 1947. Since then, these historic buildings have grown into hotels, cottages available for rent, museums, art galleries and bookstores.

As a guest of this festival, I would like to see the tents of artists and craft purveyors. What better way to enjoy the cool breeze of autumn than to take a lazy stroll through oak-shaded grounds, immersed in art and creativity? Over 100 tents will set up over the weekend for guests to visit. Copper Tree Pottery will feature their unique pieces of stoneware ranging from bowls and plates to toothbrush holders and soap dishes. Vitello Sandal Factory sandals are all made by hand using old world skills. And Dominey Metal Art depicts the marine life of the Georgia coast. There is plenty to discover for treasure seekers of all ages, but the real bounty of this festival is the nourishing feeling one gets with a plate of shrimp and grits in their hands and the celebration of autumn all around.

Hotels in the area are offering special packages for the Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel, former retreat in the Jekyll Island Club era, offers a package at $299 per night for two nights and access to the breakfast buffet as well as tickets to the Hotel vendor booth, admission to the Craft Brew Tasting and an official festival t-shirt and poster. The Oceanside Inn & Suites has a special Festival package starting at $358 with VIP passes to the Festival, half-day bike rentals for two and accommodations along Jekyll Island’s oceanfront. At $75 per night with a two-night minimum during the Festival, the Quality Inn & Suites offers a continental breakfast each morning, a putting green and bike rentals. Villas by the Sea is a resort resting on 17 acres of land and ocean views. The resort’s Festival  Special starts at $139 per night and amenities include a Bistro and Bar, a fitness center and a heated pool.

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