Georgia
Jekyll Island — Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, Sept. 19-21, features chef demonstrations, food, live music and craft beer tastings. 1-877-453-5955, www.shrimpandgritsfestival.com.
Alabama
Orange Beach — Thunder on the Gulf, Aug. 16-24, features powerboat races, golf, fishing, poker tournaments, a motorcycle run, bikini contests and a boat parade. 251-980-7223, www.thunderon
thegulf.com.
Florida
Amelia Island — Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off, Aug. 22-23, features competitions, food, music and children's activities. 904-277-4369, www.gstailgatecookoff.com.
Amelia Island — Blues Festival, Sept. 12-13, features performances from blues and blues-rock artists. 404-784-7687, www.ameliaislandbluesfest.com.
Pensacola — Seafood Festival, Sept. 26-28, features food, entertainment, arts and crafts. 850-433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org.
Pensacola — Taste of the Beach, Sept. 19-21, features signature dishes prepared by island chefs. 850-932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
South Carolina
Hilton Head Island — Harbour Fest, through Aug. 14, features sing-alongs, children's crafts, interactive fun, live music, kayak tours, shopping, dining and fireworks. 843-686-9098, www.palmettodunes.com.
Charleston — Lowcountry Jazz Festival, Aug. 28-31, features jazz-soul-R&B artists Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Najee and more, a smooth jazz brunch, an artist meet-and-greet and late-night jam sessions. 1-800-653-8000, www.lowcountryjazz
festival.com.
Virginia
Virginia Beach — Neptune Festival, Sept. 26-29, features a wine festival, triathlon, parade, fireworks, arts and crafts, concerts and sand-sculpting competitions. 757-498-0215, www.neptunefestival.com.
Compiled from Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events and staff reports. If you find a mistake, email scanady@ajc.com.
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