2025 Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival - Eventeny

2025 Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival

Starts on Friday, October 24th, 2025
Jekyll Island, Georgia, United States
About the event
Voted Best Festival in the southeast multiple times by the Southeast Festivals & Events Association. A coastal favorite, the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, artists market, live music, food, and more. Mark your calendars for this award-winning two-day event held the last weekend in October in the Historic District of Jekyll Island, Georgia. 2025 Festival Schedule Friday, October 24: 4;00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25: 10:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.
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Dates
Oct 24, 2025 · 4:00 PM - Oct 25, 2025 · 9:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
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Location
Artists, vendors & exhibitors applications
Interested in applying:
5 active applications
Deadline: Aug 06, 2025

Application only for artists that handcraft their original artwork.

 

 Buy-Sell/Production items are prohibited.

 

The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is a coastal favorite and a nationally award-winning event that combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, art and craft vendors, live music, food, and more. Now in its eighteen year, with more than 30,000 guests, the festival is held in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District. Note: This is not a Georgia Grown Member Application and is not transferable if used by mistake.  Artist Market Vendor Requirements: Download and read all Requirements & Regulations. Provide a non-refundable application fee of $40.00. All vendors are required to use only white tents. Only vendors displaying their original artwork may participate. Buy-sell/Production items are prohibited. Reproductions of other artists' work is prohibited. Applicant must submit five (5) images:

  • Three (3) of the artwork that will be sold at the festival (catalog photos will NOT be accepted)
  • One (1) of the artist creating their art 
  • One (1)  of the entire outside and front of the artist's booth, in an outside setting as it is set up for sales.

The booth image must reflect what the booth will look like at the Festival. Most of the time a photo of the outside of the booth is the final deciding factor for acceptance. An application will be rejected if all requirements are not followed.

 

Artist Market Vendors WILL NOT be located on  a parking lot. 

Deadline: Aug 06, 2025

Application for all Food Trucks & Food Booths that DO NOT SELL shrimp & grits. 

 

The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is a coastal favorite and a nationally award-winning event that combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, art and craft vendors, live music, food, and more. Now in its seventeenth year, with more than 30,000 guests, the festival is held in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District.
 
 Note: This is not a Georgia Grown Member Application and is not transferable if used by mistake. Food Court Vendor DO NOT sell Shrimp & Grits or have it on their menu 

Deadline: Aug 06, 2025

Established restaurants or caterers that specialize in a Shrimp & Grits dish need only apply.

Only eight (8) Prime Food Vendors SPACES available. This is not a Food Court Vendor application and is not transferable if used by mistake. This is not a Georgia Grown Member Application and is not transferable if used by mistake. Georgia Grown members are not eligible for a discount in this category.  

 

The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is a coastal favorite and a nationally award-winning event that combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, art and craft vendors, live music, kids’ zone, food, and more. Now in its seventeenth year with more than 30,000 guests, the festival is held in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District. 

 

Prime Food Vendor Requirements: You are an established restaurant or caterer that specialize in a Shrimp & Grits dish. Download, read and follow all Requirements & Regulations Download, read and follow the “Vendor Guidelines for Waste Reduction and Recycling" Pay a Non-refundable application fee of $40.00 Provide a shrimp & grits dish as THE primary option on your menu.

Applicant must provide five (5) Images:   

  • One (1) image of your shrimp & grits dish as it will be served at the festival.
  • One (1) image of the menu that will be served at the festival.Pricing must be on the menu and must remain the same for the duration of the festival.
  • Three (3) different images of the other food options on your menu for the festival.

An application will be rejected if these rules are not followed.·     

 

When accepted Prime Vendors must provide the following on or before September 26, 2025 or forfeit vendor space: 

  • Food vendor License Agreement (attached to application)
  • Certificate of Liability Insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 with the Jekyll Island Authority listed as additionally insured. An application will be rejected if all requirements are not followed. 

All Prime Food Vendors will be invited and must attend a mandatory meeting on Monday, October 13 from 2:00 - 3:00pm to receive staff hangtags and load-in instructions. 

Deadline: Aug 06, 2025

This application is only for vendors that provide children's products or activities. 

 

Kids' Corner is located on a parking lot with little or no shade.

 

The Kids’ Corner is a combination of vendors and non-profit organizations providing services,  for sale products or activities and experiences for children.

 

The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is a coastal favorite and a nationally award-winning event that combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, art and craft vendors, live music, food, and more. Now in its eighteen year, with more than 30,000 guests, the festival is held in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District. Note: This is not an Artist Market Vendor or Georgia Grown Member Application and is not transferable if used by mistake.

 

Kids' Corner Area Vendor Requirements: Download and read all Requirements & Regulations. Provide a non-refundable application fee of $40.00. All vendors are required to use only branded or white tents. Only vendors offering products or activities  specifically for children will be considered.

 

Applicant must submit five (5) images:

  • Three (3) of the products that will be sold at the festival (catalog photos will NOT be accepted)
  • One (1) engaging with an audience or creating your product 
  • One (1)  of the entire outside and front of the artist's booth, in an outside setting as it is set up for sales.

The booth image must reflect what the booth will look like at the Festival. Most of the time a photo of the outside of the booth is the final deciding factor for acceptance. An application will be rejected if all requirements are not followed.

Deadline: Aug 06, 2025

This application is for registered 501c3 corporations only

 

Political campaigning is NOT allowed - State law prohibits Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) from allowing a candidate to use JIA property or participate in JIA-sanctioned events for the purpose of campaigning for office.

 

The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is a coastal favorite and a nationally award-winning event that combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, art and craft vendors, live music, food, and more. Now in its eighteen year, with more than 30,000 guests, the festival is held in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District. Note: This is not an Artist Market Vendor or Georgia Grown Member Application and is not transferable if used by mistake.

 

The Kids’ Corner is a combination of vendors and non-profit organizations providing services,  for sale products or activities and experiences for children.

 

Non-Profit/Kids' Corner is located on a parking lot with little or no shade.

 

Non-Profit Vendor / Kids' Corner Vendor Requirements: Download and read all Requirements & Regulations. Provide a non-refundable application fee of $40.00. Only non-profit vendors offering products or an experience specifically for children will be considered.

 

Applicant Requirements:

  • Setup Details:

    • Provide a photo of your setup
  • Interactive Children's Experience/Activity:

    • Propose a hands-on, engaging activity or experience designed specifically for children. This could include craft stations, games, or other interactive entertainment. This experience/activity will need to be approved by the event committee. 
  • Capacity Planning:

    • Be prepared for an audience of up to 30,000 attendees. Ensure that your setup, activity, and materials are scalable and can accommodate large crowds.

The booth image must reflect what the booth will look like at the Festival. Most of the time a photo of the outside of the booth is the final deciding factor for acceptance. An application will be rejected if all requirements are not followed.

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Hosted by Jekyll Island Authority
Joined Eventeny in December 2018
24 events
Jekyll Island, Georgia, United States
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