<em>Photo above: Erik Thoreson, chef at Q on Bay, drains his freshly fried shrimp to be used in several shrimp dishes during the annual Shrimp Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Photos by Bob Sofaly.</em>

[caption id="attachment_30159" align="aligncenter" width="1400"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RES6441.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-30159"><img class="size-full wp-image-30159" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RES6441.jpg" alt="The Gracie Belle shrimp trawler was on hand during the annual Shrimp Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park." width="1400" height="948" /></a> The Gracie Belle shrimp trawler was on hand during the annual Shrimp Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.[/caption]

A huge crowd took advantage of gorgeous weather to enjoy the 22nd Annual Shrimp Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Oct. 1.

The Lowcountry event featured a run/walk, local coastal cuisine, live music, contests and much more.

In addition to the annual run and culinary competitions, the Sea Island Rotary Club's Annual Charity Shrimp Race provided spectators the opportunity to adopt one or more of its 5,000 rubber floating shrimp that were dropped into the Beaufort River. The rubber shrimp floated toward the finish line and the owners of the first 10 shrimp to finish shared $5,000 in cash prizes.

“The Shrimp Race is a fun event for the club to present and for the spectators to watch,” said Paul Moore, Rotary Club president. “More importantly, the proceeds from the event go to support the Smile Mobile, our mobile dental clinic that will help the under-served population of Beaufort and Jasper County.

“The proceeds from last year’s race are helping to purchase equipment needed for the clinic, while proceeds from this year will allow us to begin operating the clinic. The goal of the Smile Mobile is to relieve the pain and suffering associated with ongoing dental problems; problems that can keep adults out of work or children out of school.”

The Beaufort Shrimp Festival is produced by Main Street Beaufort, USA, the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Shrimpers Association and multiple sponsors.