By: Kate Kimmel
This year’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival kicked off Thursday with a parade themed “Stars and Shrimps Forever!,” marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Red, white and blue flooded Centre Street as more than 100 entries processed through downtown Fernandina Beach. Cannon blasts from the Pirates Club float — the “shots heard ’round the world,” or at least around town — punctuated the sounds of marching bands and patriotic music.
Announcers stationed outside City Hall kept the crowd engaged with classics like the wave and coordinated clapping. The roughly two-hour parade set an upbeat tone heading into the weekend.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
