After working my first four-hour volunteer shift at the Annual National Shrimp Festival, I had to hit the ground running in reporter mode trying to figure out what was happening with shrimp DNA results.

Now that's a sentence I never thought I'd write.

I know my family and friends are probably tired of hearing me talk about shrimp, but for those of you who didn't know, the festival partnered with SeaD Consulting to DNA test shrimp sold at the festival and ensure all shrimp complied with new state seafood laws and festival contracts to sell domestic wild-caught shrimp only.

Each of the 18 vendors with shrimp on the menu were tested each day of the festival. At some point during my volunteer shift, a press release went out saying that testing revealed one vendor to be in violation, meaning they were selling imported shrimp, and there were several irregularities, which included domestic farm-raised shrimp that failed the test.

Festival staff met with each of the flagged vendors to review receipts and inventory to confirm with vendors what type of shrimp was purchased.

One vendor was using shrimp that was in packaging that stated it was wild-caught U.S. shrimp, but the product failed the test. Despite this being an issue more with the distributor and not the vendor, the vendor replaced their shrimp with local wild-caught ones.

Flagged vendors were given a list of local wild-caught suppliers to purchase appropriate shrimp from. Vendors in violation were fined and told they were not allowed to sell shrimp until they bought the correct shrimp, and it was verified by festival staff.

After getting off my volunteer shift at the Big Beach Brewing beer tent, which was new this year and I was so excited for, I went around the festival, trying to find out what was going on.

I met up with Shrimp Festival Media Chairman Clayton Wallace who helped me find inaugural volunteer Chief Shrimp Investigator Chandra Wright. They both filled me in on what had happened and explained basically all I've just recounted.

By the time I got off my shift, everything was fixed.

The "shrimp scandal" was handled quickly and efficiently as proper shrimp was being served within a few hours. None of the vendors maliciously tried to trick festival attendees, and all were willing to comply once addressed by Wright.

From my perspective, as someone in the festival, it was hard to tell that anything had happened with the shrimp. The bands played on, attendees walked around and bought art, goods, apparel and beer. Everything was as it should be.

MY BRIEF HISTORY WITH SHRIMP FEST

I first attended the festival with my family when I was about 11 years old. I remember eating shaved ice and drinking lemonade, trying to cool off in the sweatpants I decided to wear because, in my mind, October should be cold.

The first thing I bought for myself was a little postcard-sized painting of a cherry blossom tree, which is still hanging on my corkboard today.

I went with friends every now and then throughout the years, but it was never something I went to every year. It wasn't until I left for college that I started going out of my way to make sure I made it to Shrimp Fest. Now, it's one of my favorite times of the year.

After volunteering for the festival since 2015, my parents finally talked me into working alongside them in one of the beer and beverage tents this year. Another bonus that encouraged me to volunteer was that I received a free T-shirt with this year's poster on it, which was designed by my best friend Mallorie Papadelias.

I know many people who have volunteered for Shrimp Fest throughout several years. I've always heard stories of just how much work goes into the festival. Some have already started working on plans for next year, even though the festival has just wrapped up.

I've always enjoyed volunteering for different events and things in the community, from picking up trash at Hangout Fest to designing lights for shows at the South Baldwin Community Theater, and I don't know what took me so long to apply for Shrimp Fest.

I highly recommend volunteering for this festival. I mean, who doesn't love a free shirt and two free drink tickets after each shift?

Just based on the few days I volunteered; I saw how much love and work went into putting on this four-day event. For those of you who put so much of your time into the festival (you know who you are!) I appreciate what you have done to provide this community with a spectacular shebang.

Overall, I'm glad I volunteered this year. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Despite what felt like a crazy day from serving beer to DNA testing shrimp, there was never a dull moment at Shrimp Fest.