Amelia Island Hotel Gears Up for 50th Annual Shrimp Festival

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL--(Marketwired - Apr 10, 2013) - The Chinese calendar may say that 2013 is the Year of the Snake, but for the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, it not only marks 50 years but commemorates the Year of the Golden Shrimp.

Held in the downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach just minutes from the Residence Inn Amelia Island, the family-friendly festival takes place May 3^rd through the 5^th. Guests of this Amelia Island hotel have the chance to not only attend the festivities but play a part in them, too. The hotel's General Manager, Bob Hartman, is returning for his third year as the Shrimp Festival's Master of Ceremonies, and is excited to announce that a vehicle has been reserved for all guests who accept the invitation to ride in the Shrimp Festival Pirate Parade on Saturday, April 27^th. Guests can enjoy all of the excitement and action of the day as they follow the decorated hotel staff shuttle through the parade route -- and all without leaving the air conditioning!

The shrimp-filled weekend festival is free to the public and offers food, fun and entertainment for the whole family. Sample shrimp from more than 25 food booths; browse items from antiques dealers, artisans and crafters; and compete in ice cream-eating, pirate and beard contests. Two stages will feature entertainment including live music, a pageant, lessons on being a pirate and a fireworks show. A dedicated Kids Fun Zone includes games, pony rides, caricatures, face-painting, sand art, a food court, rock-climbing wall and much more. As a special treat, guests of this pet-friendly hotel in Amelia Island can end the first day of the festival at the hotel's evening social. 

For more information on the festival, visit www.shrimpfestival.com/. To get updates on the festival and related Amelia Island events, visit blog.residenceinnameliaisland.com. To book a room at the Residence Inn Amelia Island, call 866-245-6099 ext. 0.

About the Residence Inn Amelia Island
At the Residence Inn Amelia Island, guests get a front-row seat to the beauty of the beach. This extended-stay hotel is just two blocks from the crashing waves, and a complimentary shuttle means it couldn't be easier to set up a spot on the sand. With studio and one- or two-bedroom suites, this Fernandina Beach hotel is the perfect place to vacation with friends or family. Accommodations offer at least one 37-inch HDTV, a pull-out sofa, free high-speed Internet and kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher and coffeemaker; two-bedroom suites include a full oven. Begin the day with a complimentary hot breakfast, workout in the fitness center or with a quick swim in the outdoor pool. Rent a hotel bike and explore the area, which includes a historic downtown, Fort Clinch State Park and gorgeous Florida beaches, or practice putting on the hotel green. Wind down the day at biweekly complimentary socials featuring food, beer and wine. The Residence Inn Amelia Island is a great destination for meetings and events, offering more than 1,100 square feet of function space with room for up to 117 guests.