With the bright sunshine and warm days, it must be time for the 58th Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival!
Because of the large number of Arts and Crafts dealers, Antique Vendors, Food Booths and Sponsors, there will be a major change in the time of closing the downtown streets.
Beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5 2023, Centre Street from 8th Street to Front Street will be closed to all traffic except Shrimp Festival participants.
Also closed will be North and South 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Streets from Alachua Street to Ash Street.
All vehicles must be removed from the Festival area by 12 noon. From 12 noon until 5 p.m., The Shrimp Festival participants will be setting up their areas for Friday night, and Saturday & Sunday’s events.
All vehicles/trailers must be removed by 5 p.m. Friday, May 5th. With the anticipation of large crowds for the opening night of the Festival, the safety of pedestrians is of utmost importance.
Only pedestrian traffic will be allowed on Centre Street after 5 p.m. Friday evening.
2023 Shrimp Festival Road Closure Dates & Times
May 4, 2023 Thursday 12:01 am
The Waterfront – Parking lots A & B will be closed to non-event vehicles.
May 4, 2023 Thursday 6 PM till after 8 PM Parade Begins @ 6 PM.
South 8th Street will be closed from Ash Street to Centre Street to allow the parade to cross at these locations. Heavy traffic on South 8th Street & South 14th Street 2 hours before the parade and 1 hour after the parade is over.
May 5, 2023 Friday 11 AM
Centre Street will be closed. Also the side streets 1 block north and south of Centre Street for Shrimp Festival vendor setup. North 8th Street, South 8th Street & Atlantic Ave (AIA) eastbound will remain open. The traffic might be heavy during this afternoon until later (10 PM) that evening on South 8th Street & Atlantic Ave.
May 6, 2023 Saturday 9 AM till 8 PM
The A1A corridor could become extremely heavy at times. 8th Street at Centre Street might be closed to thru traffic periodically throughout the day. Heavy pedestrian traffic will be crossing many of the roadways on South 8th Street and Atlantic Ave.
May 7, 2023 Sunday 10AM till 6 PM
The A1A corridor could become extremely heavy at times. 8th Street at Centre Street might be closed to thru traffic periodically throughout the day. Heavy pedestrian traffic will be crossing many of the roadways on 8th Street & Atlantic Ave until after 6PM.
Official closing time is Sunday, May 7 at 5 PM. 8th Street usually clears back up at 6 PM or 7 PM on Sunday.