The second annual New Year’s Eve “Shrimp Drop” was held in downtown Fernandina Beach on December 31, 2016 at the riverfront. Fernandina Beach has long been known for the fresh caught daily shrimp by local Amelia Island shrimpers.

The event was organized and orchestrated by Ramiro Sicre, FPU Manager, Governmental Relations, in conjunction with the Nassau County and Amelia Island Tourist Bureau. Similar in theme to the notorious countdown and ball drop at New York City’s Times Square, this small-town, family-friendly event tripled in attendance from last year. The crowd was estimated at over 5,000! The shrimp is dropped from the boom of one of FPU’s bucket trucks and lowered on guide wires as the crowd counts down.

The affair allows folks to mingle with the community and enjoy a fireworks display over the waterfront, ending 2016 in a memorable way and welcoming 2017 surrounded by friends and neighbors.

Highlights included a kids “fun zone” and live music from “The Decades Band.” Vendors provided face-painting, kettle corn and other refreshments. Shrimp Beads and Party favors were handed-out courtesy of Florida Public Utilities. Local merchants donated well over 30 prizes, such as a weekend stay at the OMNI Ritz and Residence Inn, including dinner and a golf outing. The Shrimp Drop was mentioned on “Fox and Friends”, a daily Fox News channel show.

So, who needs a “ball” … when you can have a shrimp!

Many thanks to the following FPU employees for helping to make this event such a huge success:
Christine Minton, Executive Assistant, Business Development & Gas Operations; Shannon Wagner, Crew Leader, Operations Electric NE FL; Randy Drake, Lineman, Operations Electric NE FL;
Clint Brown, IMC Technician, Conservation Sales, Electric, NE FL; Danielle Mulligan, Marketing Manager, Conservation Sales and, of course, Ramiro RJ Sicre, Manager, Governmental Relations