The May River Shrimp Festival: A Delicious Celebration of Lowcountry Culture

The annual May River Shrimp Festival is one of the most popular and highly anticipated events in Bluffton, South Carolina. For lovers of shrimp, fun, and Lowcountry culture, it’s a must-attend summer tradition along the picturesque May River. In this article, we’ll explore the origins, activities, food, and overall excitement that makes the May River Shrimp Festival a treasured part of the local community.

A Brief History of the Festival

The May River Shrimp Festival was launched in 1987 by Bill and Julie Herbkersman as a modest event to celebrate and promote the area’s fresh wild-caught shrimp. It was held riverside at the Bluffton Oyster Company. Over the years as attendance grew, the festival expanded to multiple blocks on Calhoun Street, with music, vendors, contests, exhibits and more.

In 2015, the Town of Bluffton took over organizing the May River Shrimp Festival when it outgrew its Calhoun Street location. The town moved the event to the Oyster Factory Park and added more space for attractions. Today, the festival draws 15,000-20,000 attendees over its 3-day run and is considered one of the top 100 events in the Southeast.

When and Where Does the Festival Take Place?

The May River Shrimp Festival is held over three days every summer usually in mid-July. The dates for 2023 are July 19-21.

Location

• Oyster Factory Park – 63 Wharf Street, Bluffton, SC

Hours:

• 5:30pm – 9:30pm each evening

The park’s riverside setting provides a perfect backdrop for the festival right on the banks of the beautiful May River. It’s spacious enough to accommodate all the vendors, exhibits, music and activities.

Festival Highlights and Attractions

The May River Shrimp Festival packs a ton of fun into its 3-day extravaganza. Here are some of the highlights:

• Live Music Performances – Local and regional bands provide live music entertainment on two stages, including rock, country, jazz and blues.

• Arts & Crafts – Artisans and crafters offer their handmade wares like paintings, jewelry, pottery and more.

• Food & Drinks – The festival features delicious shrimp dishes, BBQ, gumbo, beverages and Lowcountry cuisine from local restaurants.

• Shrimp Eating Contest – Watch competitive eaters battle to devour plates of shrimp for prizes and glory.

• 5K Sunset Shrimp Run – Runners compete at sunset in a flat, fast 5k course through historic Bluffton.

• Kid Zone – Children enjoy inflatables, face painting, balloons and fun activities in a family area.

• Fireworks Show – A spectacular fireworks display over the May River caps off Friday evening.

The Delicious Shrimp Dishes

No shrimp festival would be complete without copious amounts of shrimp! Here are some of the tasty shrimp creations you can sample:

• Shrimp boil with spicy sausage and corn on the cob
• Grilled lemon pepper shrimp skewers
• Shrimp po’ boy sandwiches
• Lowcountry shrimp and grits
• Crispy popcorn shrimp
• Shrimp tacos and burritos
• Shrimp jambalaya
• Shrimp salad rolls
• Golden fried shrimp platters
• Shrimp cocktail
• Shrimp quesadillas
• Shrimp mac and cheese
• Shrimp scampi linguine
• Blackened shrimp Caesar salad
• Shrimp tempura with spicy mayo

Don’t forget to wash it all down with a cold beer, Margarita or refreshing Palmetto Lemonade!

The Vibrant Lowcountry Culture

Beyond the food and attractions, the May River Shrimp Festival beautifully captures the culture of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Here’s a taste of what you’ll experience:

• Live music across genres like blues, jazz, rock and country reflecting the diversity of the region.

• The flowing May River that has shaped the lives of generations in the Lowcountry.

• Artisans selling sweetgrass baskets, wood carvings and other works handcrafted in the Gullah tradition.

• The warm hospitality and charm of the people that gives the Lowcountry its signature flair.

• Cuisine blending seafood, rice, okra and rich flavors rooted in Lowcountry cooking.

• A laidback pace of life filled with front porch sitting, storytelling and neighborhood camaraderie.

The festival offers the full sensory experience of the culture, sights, sounds, smells and tastes unique to the coastal Lowcountry.

Why Locals and Visitors Love the Festival

The May River Shrimp Festival has grown into a summer tradition for so many reasons. Here’s why it’s a must-do:

• It brings the community together for a fun outdoor celebration.

• Supports and highlights local musicians, restaurants and businesses.

• Promotes Bluffton’s historic waterfront district.

• Helps preserve the area’s cultural heritage.

• Delicious food, drinks and eating contests!

• Kid-friendly attractions and fireworks show.

• Raffles, contests and chances to win prizes.

• Brings visitors to enjoy Bluffton’s hospitality.

• Did we mention…all the shrimp you can eat!

The May River Shrimp Festival offers good times for the whole community and continues the legacy of shrimping in the Lowcountry.

How To Make the Most of the Festival

To maximize your May River Shrimp Festival experience, here are some tips:

• Review the schedule and map ahead of time to plan what to see.

• Come hungry! Pace yourself through all the yummy food vendors.

• Bring cash for food, drinks, crafts, raffles and rides.

• Arrive early to get good spots for music, contests and fireworks.

• Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be on your feet most of the time.

• Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and folding chairs for outdoor comfort.

• Visit the exhibits to learn about Bluffton’s history and culture.

• Check the website for parking and shuttle information.

• Talk to the chefs and locals to get their stories and shrimp tips!

Come Join the Fun!

The May River Shrimp Festival promises an amazing three days of food, music, entertainment and true Lowcountry atmosphere. It celebrates the very best of coastal culture, community and seafood in Bluffton and the surrounding area. So come on down and get your fill of shrimp, sights and Southern hospitality at this one-of-a-kind summer festival! We’ll see y’all there!