Lowcountry boils just aren’t complete without shrimp, and a southern breakfast just doesn’t feel the same without a bowl of hot, delicious grits. But what if the two met up and joined forces? What about shrimp and grits?

No need to chose just shrimp or just grits, and you wouldn’t be alone. Every year, Jekyll Island hosts the Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival. The three-day festival gets bigger and better every year, with chefs and foodies from all over celebrating the union of shrimp and grits.

The 8th annual festival will be held from Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22. There will be activities for all, including amateur and professional cooking competitions and professional demonstrations, cook book signings, a shrimp eating contest, fine arts and craft vendors, live entertainment, a kids zone, and the popular Craft Beer Fest. The theme for this year is “taste, sip, enjoy, repeat.”

The 2013 festival is still in the works, but if you crave more information, or want to participate, put down your bowl and spoon and contact Anna Hall by email (ahall@jekyllisland.com) or by phone (912.634.4046)

Have you attended the Wild Georgia Shrimp and Grits Festival? Leave us a comment (and maybe a recipe) below!

Written by Alyson Shields