The 16th Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival

Nominated by Main Street Beaufort, USA

Organized by Main Street Beaufort, the Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival brings thousands of residents and visitors into the downtown area.

The 2010 festival saw record attendance both days of the festival, record revenue and four times more participants in the festival's 5K run.

To recognize the contributions of the military to the community, festival organizers brought 80 severely wounded combat veterans and their caregivers to the festival. Many local businesses held fundraisers and sold wristbands and t-shirts to bring the veterans to Beaufort. Hollywood actor Gary Sinise, an avid supporter of the military and wounded combat veterans, performed a free concert with his Lt. Dan Band to open the festival Friday night. It was his first visit back to Beaufort since playing the character, Lt. Dan, in the film, Forrest Gump, which was filmed in Beaufort and the surrounding area.

Public participation for the event was overwhelming. An estimated 15,000 people came to downtown Beaufort to attend the festival, shop the independently owned businesses, eat at local restaurants and tour the historic downtown. More than 400 volunteers gave their time, energy and enthusiasm throughout the event.

The public talked about the event months before and are still raving how this was the best event in Beaufort.

Contact: LaNelle Fabian at director@downtownbeaufort.com or 843.525.6644