Located in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida, the 54th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will be held May 5th, 6th, and 7th, with an exciting Pirate Parade kicking-off the festival at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Continue reading
Click image to enlarge
Just over a dozen Nassau County junior and senior high school girls competed for the chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.
Winning Miss Congeniality was Miss Baily Wall.
Kate Walker was the 2nd Runner-up
Megan Combs was the 1st Runner-up
… and Miss Zoe Stein in the new, 2015 Miss Shrimp Festival, replacing the 2014 winner Miss Graham Jewel.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Applications are being accepted for additional food booths to set up during the 52nd Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival until February 28, 2015. More food booths are needed in both the Kids Fun Zone and the main area of the Shrimp Festival. To be considered, you must be a non-profit organization within Nassau County, Florida. Many of our food booths make the majority of their annual budgets by being a part of this popular festival, always held the first weekend in May.
Fresh, local shrimp is a staple at the festival and with over 100,000 attendees to be fed, this is an excellent opportunity. The Kids Fun Zone has expanded into a larger area for 2015 and that also means more games, more rides, more entertainment and we are in need of more kid-friendly foods.
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is consistently rated by “Sunshine Artist Magazine” in the top 100 North America best events. The street festival features fine arts and crafts, antiques, live entertainment, Blessing of the shrimp boat fleet, pirate invasions, family friendly contests, a Kids Fun Zone and of course, lots and lots of shrimp!
To be accepted into the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, all food booths must be organized, staffed and run by a Nassau County, Florida, non-profit organization. No commercial food vendors are permitted!
To apply for a food booth please forward your non-profit information/certificate/EIN number, contact names and phone numbers, and proposed menu and pricing to foodbooths@shrimpfestival.com.
The dates of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival are Friday, May 1, 2015, from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm; Saturday, May 2nd, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; and Sunday May 3rd, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Annual Pirates’ Parade will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 6:00 pm.
For more information visit ShrimpFestival.com.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Submissions are now being accepted for the official 2015 Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival T-shirt and merchandise design.
The winning T-shirt design will be used as the official design for the 52nd Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival on apparel, marketing and advertising pieces, plus other items as needed. Past designs have included shrimp, shrimp boats, the eight flags of Amelia Island, pirates, pirate boats, downtown Fernandina Beach architecture, shrimp nets, game fish and other ideas pertaining to the history of the Shrimp Festival. The T-shirt designs for the past thirteen years and a history of the eight flags are available at www.ShrimpFestival.com.
The selected design must be an original piece of art conceived and executed by the submitting artist. The design will become the exclusive property of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Inc. The artist may be asked to minimally alter the design for acceptance, if necessary (i.e. change in color, font or historical aspect). If chosen, in consideration of the promise to pay $1,000 (or otherwise negotiated), the entrant will assign all rights, ownership and title for its use to the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Inc. for use in promoting the Shrimp Festival via marketing, advertising and selling T-shirts and other merchandise containing the design, or other production purposes, in perpetuity. Artist signature may inconspicuously appear on the design, subject to Selection Committee approval of placement.
Download your request for proposal and all of the details from the Shrimp Festival website: ShrimpFestival.com. The submission deadline is November 15, 2014.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
What began as a family picnic and boat race in 1964 has evolved into a weekend celebration honoring Fernandina Beach and her deep rooted history in the shrimping industry. Join us on May 1, 2 and 3, 2015 for the 52nd Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
It takes a large group of volunteers to organize such a magnificent event and this year’s board of directors, and committee members, are off to a productive start of the 2015 season.
The festival’s executive board consists of members who have served as committee chairs for a number of years.
Pictured above, front row, left to right: Chairman Wanda Hair, Vice Chair Harry Harrison, and Treasurer Dawn Lunt. Second row: Past Chairman Mark Deaton, Vice Chair Mary Sikes, Vice Chair Pat Kaminski, and Secretary Roger Wasik.
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival transforms nearly 30 blocks of historic, downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida into a festive weekend of art, music, and shrimp! There is a juried art show with over 300 artisans competing for over $7,500 in cash awards. There will be fine arts and crafts, over 50 antique dealers, contests throughout the festival for kids of all ages, live musical entertainment including local, regional and national acts, scores of playful pirates, and a Kids Fun zone with activities, entertainment and food, but best of all, admission is FREE for the entire festival!
Other events surrounding the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival include the local’s favorite event, the popular Pirate Parade held downtown on Thursday, April 30th, at 6:00 pm., and the McArthur Family YMCA 5K Fun Run on Saturday morning held at Main Beach by the Atlantic Ocean.
Always held the first weekend in May, the Southeast Tourism Society has named the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival a Top-20 event for the past twelve years! A targeted study of visitors to the festival commissioned by the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau estimated the total economic impact of the 2014 festival to be over nine million dollars. For more information please visit www.ShrimpFestival.com.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
The Food Network has made a few changes to the program they will be airing that was filmed during the 2014 Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp festival. What was to be titled Food Fest Nation and premier on July 21st, then the 29th, is now titled Eating America and will begin airing July 28, 2014 – but you may want to check your local listing for the most recent information.
Here is the latest from the Food Network’s website:
On the new series Eating America, premiering Tuesday, July 28 at 9|8c, host Anthony Anderson is on a mission to discover the most flavorful food festivals in the country. Food Network fans may recognize Anthony Anderson from Chopped, where he competed on a special holiday episode, and from Iron Chef America, where he’s been a frequent judge. This food lover is now taking on a new venture in Food Fest Nation, tasting everything from classic interpretations of regional fare to surprising twists on favorite dishes. Anthony will get to the belly of what is truly at the heart of America — one food festival at a time.
In this eight-episode series, Anthony visits some of the most unusual food fairs around the country. Not only does he try the local specialties, but he also meets the people who create them, including a few unforgettable characters.
Here’s a list of the festivals Anthony will be visiting:
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival — Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Texas Crab Festival — Crystal Beach, Texas
Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship Steak Cook-Off — Magnolia, Ark.
New Orleans Food Experience
Ribfest Chicago
Blue Ridge BBQ Festival — Tryon, N.C.
Long Grove Strawberry Festival — Long Grove, Ill.
Rockwood Ice Cream Festival — Wilmington, Del.
Read more at: http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2014/06/new-series-food-fest-nation/?oc=linkback
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
One of the most popular Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival events is the Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant.
In 2014, 17 young women from Nassau County, Florida, entered the annual pageant sponsored by the Hampton Inn & Suites, Amelia Island “Historic Harbor Front Hotel”.
After weekend rehearsals led by Pageant Chair Crystal Molchin and Choreographer Kristin Conner, the girls attended a dinner party where they were interviewed by the pageant judges.
Russell Colburn of Action News was the emcee for the pageant and judges include Bob Ramshaw of the Hampton Inn and Suites; Shannon Brown, vice president of the Fernandina Beach Vystar Credit Union; and Nancy Burnett, a former contestant in the Ms. Senior Jacksonville Pageant.
Want to know who won? Check out the video below:
The 51st Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is behind us and volunteer committee members are already in the planning stages for Shrimp Festival 2015.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Source: Food Network – A Food Network press release recently announced their new show, Food Fest Nation is set to premier on Monday, July 21st at 9pm ET/PT.
Editors note: The film is now titled Eating America and will premier on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.
Anthony Anderson is on a mission to discover the most flavorful food festivals in the country tasting everything from classic interpretations of regional fare to surprising twists of favorite foods. Anthony uncovers what is truly at the heart of America, one delicious food festival at a time.
“Viewers got a taste of Anthony Anderson’s true passion for food during his appearances as a judge on Iron Chef America and Chopped,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. “Anthony’s love of food, quick humor, and engaging way with people make him the perfect guide through the quirky and wonderful world of food festivals.”
Over the course of eight half-hour episodes, Anthony visits the most unique food fairs in the nation, sampling local specialties and meeting the characters devoted to the regional cuisine. Along the way, Anthony visits the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach, Florida and highlights delicious classics such as shrimp tacos, shrimp boil and shrimp jambalaya, as well as innovative shrimp ice cream. In one episode, he attends the Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship Steak Cook-Off in Magnolia, Ark., where over 4,000 different kinds of mouthwatering ribeye steaks compete to be the best of the best and for a $10,000 prize.
Anthony also visits the Long Grove Strawberry Festival, where over 20,000 attendees flock to Long Grove, Ill. for three “berry” special days of enjoying all things strawberry, including Strawberry Ricotta Ravioli and Strawberry Balsamic Chicken. In another episode, he stops by Ribfest Chicago for a world-class rib-eating showdown that draws top competitive eaters from around the globe. Throughout the season, Anthony also gets a taste of the South Carolina Poultry Festival in Batesberg, S.C., the Jambalaya Festival in Gonzalez, La., the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival in Tyron, N.C., as well as the Rockwood Ice Cream Festival in Wilmington, Del.
Fans can visit FoodNetwork.com/FoodFestNation all season long for additional video, blogs and photo galleries from Anthony’s travels, as well as connect on Twitter with the hashtag #FoodFestNation.
Anthony Anderson is no stranger to the Food Network audience, having competed on Chopped and appeared as both a judge and competitor on Iron Chef America, making his transition to host of Food Fest Nation a natural and delicious progression. He is an accomplished actor with roles on both the big and small screen, including over 20 films and the Emmy(R) Award-winning drama Law & Order, playing Detective Kevin Bernard. His performance on that series earned him four consecutive NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. Anthony also appeared in the DreamWorks’ blockbuster Transformers, directed by Michael Bay; as well as in Martin Scorsese’s Oscar(R) winning feature, The Departed. Anthony can also be seen in the upcoming ABC sitcom, Black-ish, this fall, in which he will both star and produce.
Food Fest Nation is produced by Magnetic Productions.
FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine’s rate base has grown tenfold and is now the second largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 11.6 million readers. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24-hour networks in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com) and Great American Country (www.gactv.com), is the manager and general partner.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Fresh From Florida Seafood is bringing Capt. Edgar Hansen of the F/V Northwestern as featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” to the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
Capt. Edgar Hansen of the F/V Northwestern as featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” is the younger brother of Captain Sig Hansen. He began fishing at age 18 and came into his own on the deck of the Northwestern after only a few seasons. Sig considers his brother to be one of the most talented fishermen on deck. Over the past few years, Edgar has assumed the role of the boat’s chief engineer, which means he’s responsible for both the main and auxiliary engines, the hydraulic and fuel systems, as well as the sea water pumps.
Fresh From Florida Seafood created a well-received Florida seafood promotion called, “Florida’s Tastiest Catch”, where Sig Hansen was featured asking Floridians to support local seafood and our local economy.
“Fernandina Beach is the Birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, so we are excited to have Edgar Hansen be a part of the Shrimp Festival. I truly believe he understands the importance of our commercial shrimp industry and the value it brings to our Fernandina heritage, as well as our local economy,” said Judie Mackie, a volunteer on the Shrimp Festival Committee.
Edgar Hansen will be all over the Shrimp Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2014. He will be signing Fresh from Florida posters and photographs during a meet and greet on the waterfront. He will be one of the judges for the Adult Pirate Costume Contest (sponsored by SearchAmelia.com) at 12:30, he’ll pay a visit to the children in the Kids Fun Zone and will take the stage Saturday as our “Fresh From Florida Seafood” special guest. Times will be announced at ShrimpFestival.com when confirmed.
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is a FREE, three-day event held May 2 – 4, 2014 in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach. The festivities kick off with the pre-festival Pirate Parade at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 1, 2014.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
The 2014 Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival ornament, designed by The Christopher Radko Company, is now available exclusively at The Christmas Shop on the River in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida.
This year’s ornament, “Oglethorpe’s Brigantine” follows the 20 year tradition of designing an ornament with shrimp, pirates and other sea-worthy creations just for the Shrimp Festival!
Oglethorpe’s Brigantine, blown from clear tempered glass is injected with liquid sterling to give the ornament its luminescence. Hand painted details include seven of Amelia Island’s territorial flags on one side of this ship’s sails, with the American flag and a hand painted shrimp on the other. High above the masts wave three Jolly Rogers blowing in the wind, with detailed attention given to the delicate nature of the ship’s waves, her elegant port holes and windows, and even to the eyes of the shrimp. Glitter is added to the crests of the waves and on the ship’s fabulous trim giving the ornament its signature Radko “sparkle”.
The Christopher Radko Company has produced more than fifteen million fine European glass ornaments in a successful attempt to reproduce more than 1,000 vintage, mouth-blown Christmas ornaments that were broken into pieces when the family’s tree fell during the holidays.
Whether the story is true or not, it has presented a fine assortment of beautiful ornaments for collectors including exclusive ornaments designed specifically for the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
The ornament is $72.99 and available at all four Christmas Shop on the River locations including Hilton Head, Charleston, Savannah and Amelia Island. Artist and Founding Designer Mario Tare, of The Christopher Radko Company, will be in Fernandina Beach on Saturday, May 3, 2014, to personally sign these ornaments at the shop located at 110 Center Street. Orders purchased in advance will be autographed and shipped for free within the continental United States. For more information about these limited edition ornaments, or to order yours, please call (904) 261-0747.
Always held the first weekend in May, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will be held in Fernandina Beach May 2 – 4, 2014. For more information please visit www.ShrimpFestival.com.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Amelia Island, FL – The official T-shirt design has been selected for the 51st Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Presented by Publix Supermarkets. “The Shrimp Festival Committee is excited about this year’s design as it touches on various aspects which highlight the shrimp industry and Fernandina Beach”, said Dawn Lunt, this year’s merchandise chair.
The artwork’s designer is Michael Barnard, an award winning artist originally from Dayton, Ohio. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design, he combines traditional painting with modern digital technology to create stunning works of original art. Barnard has been a leader in the field of high-end custom digital design for nearly 15 years. He lives in Ormond Beach, Florida with his wife, Lori, and their five year old daughter, Alora.
There will be two merchandise booths offering Official Shrimp Festival T-shirts, tank tops, tote bags, hats, aprons, ornaments and Tervis tumblers. One is located at the waterfront and will be open for the three days of the festival, and the second tent can be found near the corner of 8th and Centre Streets on Saturday and Sunday.
The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will be held May 2 – 4, 2014, after a community Pirate Parade on Thursday evening. Then merchants in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach will hold a sidewalk sale all day Friday, May 2nd until the Festival officially opens at 6:00 pm. The Kids Fun Zone opens Friday evening, and all of the food, sponsors, and exhibitor’s booths located at the waterfront will be open. Entertainment will last until 10:30 pm with live music, the Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant, and a Pirate Invasion followed by a fantastic fireworks show.
Saturday the fun continues when the fully juried art show opens with over 300 artisans competing for over $7,500 in cash awards. There will be fine arts and crafts, over 50 antique dealers, contests throughout the festival for kids of all ages, live musical entertainment, scores of playful pirates, and a Kids Fun Zone with activities, games and food, and best of all, admission is FREE for the entire festival!
Sunday, the festival’s arts, crafts and antique booths remain open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with the addition of the Best Decorated Boat Parade and the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet at the waterfront.
Always held the first weekend in May, the Southeast Tourism Society has named the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival a Top-20 event for the past twelve years!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Can you believe spring is almost here?
It is so close, you can already purchase parking passes for the 51st Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, on Amelia Island.
Amelia Community Theatre has passes for their lot, located at 209 Cedar Street, on sale now!
These passes sold out last year so make sure you get yours early!
The Fernandina Beach Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is May 2-4, 2014.
FESTIVAL HOURS:
Friday: 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For just $30.00 you will have a guaranteed parking space for the entire festival. Park in the ACT lot during the official festival hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 261-6749 as availability is limited.
All proceeds benefit ACTeen, the teen theatre troupe!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
The 50th Anniversary of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, held in Fernandina Beach, Florida, has begun. The Pirate Parade, held on Saturday this year, was a huge success with over 95 entries!
Because this parade is so popular, organizers had to make the decision to limit the entries or change the date. While plenty of controversial conversations showed up on a variety of social media sites, the parade went off without a hitch.
Centre, Ash and Front Streets were lined with folks celebrating this wonderful time of the year! Shrimp Festival gives our Nassau County non-profit organizations a chance to raise money to fund their programs for practically the entire year. Many services provided by these wonderful organizations would rely on government funding, and others would not exist at all, if it were not for this celebration of the shrimping industry that brings over 100,000 people to Amelia Island each year.
Grab yourself a Snickers Bar and a cup of coffee, this is one L—O—N—G parade:
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Looking for a place to park for the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival’s Pirate Parade on Saturday, April 27? You can park at the Amelia Community Theatre for a donation to support the ACT Teen Troupe, ACTeen.
The parade begins at 11:00 AM and the ACT Teen Troupe will be manning the parking lot, near 3rd and Cedar Streets, on a first come, first served basis for those who would like to park at Amelia Community Theatre.
Donate the amount of your choice if you park in the ACT lot. Remember, donations will go to support our ACT Teen Troupe, ACTeen!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
Image found at alibaba.com.
The following announcement is mostly for our non-resident subscribers and viewers, and our local population who apparently live under a rock and have no clue what is going on for this year’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival:
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the festival and it will be held on May 3rd, 4th and 5th, with a few extra days of celebration thrown in for good measure.
Presented by Publix Supermarkets and held in the heart of historic downtown Fernandina Beach, on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida, this “party” has been going on since 1964!
Enjoy FREE admission to this the family friendly event offering:
-Delicious shrimp prepared every way imaginable by food booths staffed and run exclusively by local Nassau County non-profit groups as fund-raisers.
Wear your walking shoes to comfortably view and visit over 400 exhibitors featuring Fine Artisan & Crafters and Antique Dealers.
Bring the entire family and check out the Kids Fun Zone activities, Live Music on 2 Stages, and lots and lots of Pirates!
The popular Pirate Parade will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 11:00 AM, along Centre Street.
Thursday, May 2nd will offer a FREE concert at the waterfront featuring the Parket Urban Band and Swamp Cabbage, sponsored by a favorite, locals’ hang out, The Dog Star Tavern, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, in the parking lot at the foot of Centre Street.
For more festival information, please visit www.shrimpfestival.com.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment below or subscribe to the feed to have future articles delivered to your e-mail and get the latest Amelia Island News, business, tourist activities and videos every morning!
You can also choose to follow SearchAmelia on Twitter to get your daily updates!
