Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Regatta of Lights in St Augustine in December

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ST. AUGUSTINE (Fla.) Dec. 1– The historic waters of Matanzas Bay will sparkle in the glow of a holiday regatta of boats decked out in their seasonal finery when the Regatta of Lights returns to St. Augustine on Saturday, December 13.

Hosted by the St. Augustine Yacht Club, the 28th annual event will feature a nighttime parade of sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats and recreational boats aglitter with brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical. Boat owners will try to out-dazzle the competition in a spirited contest featuring prizes in a variety of categories featuring boats from 15 to 85 feet in length.

The regatta gets underway at 6 p.m. as the boats enter Matanzas Bay, pass the Castillo de San Marcos and sail single file for the Bridge of Lions. The regatta will then circle the bay to allow spectators and regatta judges to appreciate the illuminated ingenuity of each contestant.

For more information, including details on how to enter a boat in the regatta, call 904.824.9725 or go to www.sayc2000.com .

The Holiday Regatta of Lights is supported in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. For the latest on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website www.Getaway4Florida.com or call 1.800.653.2489.

Organic Farmers Market in Savannah

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Come and celebrate Christmas with your community, enjoy Savannah’s only local ORGANIC FARMERS MARKET for your Christmas dinner! While your there purchase those one of a kind special Christmas gifts from our arts and craft, gift and food vendors too.

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, FREE marshmallow roasting by the fire in our courtyardLive

The Market at Trustees Garden provides fertile ground for Savannah’s weekly gathering of a growing community of producers and consumers of local, sustainable products. Every Wednesday from 4p – 7p

Cooking Demos, Organic Farmers, Local Arts & Crafts, Local and Organic Food from Savannah Restaurants, Live Music, Plants, Herbs, Kids Activities, Sustainable/Green Education and information!!
For more information call (912) 844-3184 or mfcastro@greenlifespace.com

Fernandina Harbor Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

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The 1st Annual Fernandina Harbor Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will be held on Saturday evening, December 13, 2008 at the City Marina at the foot of Centre and Ash Streets in downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida at 8:00 p.m., following the Lighted Land Parade. Spectators are invited to bring their chairs and view the lighted parade from along the beautiful waterfront boardwalk.
Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade
Creative Commons License photo credit: jessicafm

Christmas on the River and Lighted Parade – Savannah, Georgia

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Holiday Cheer at Christmas on the River and Savannah’s Lighted Parade!
Get into the Holiday Spirit with two days of Regional Arts and Crafts, Fun-Fare Games and Holiday Entertainment in Savannah. This festival offers unique shopping in the old world setting of charm and history on beautiful River Street.

The two day’s festivities begin at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday, but the event starts Friday at 11 am with the River Street Maritime Panel unveiling in Morrell Park followed by Wet Willie’s First Friday Fireworks at 9:30pm and tours aboard the tall ship Peacemaker will be available all weekend!

The parade begins SATURDAY at 5:30pm….get there early for the best viewing spot! This year’s parade will include Grand Marshal Ruby Gettinger (and friends) from The Style Network’s television series Ruby, floats, marching bands, and of course Ol’ St. Nick and his Elves! The new River Street streetcar will make it public debut as the parade’s Honorary Marshal. The lighted parade begins on west River Street and makes its merry way to Broughton ending at Franklin Square.

Entertainment Schedule
Saturday, December 6

DJ’s to Go all day!
1:30pm Asbury Ringers
2pm Maxine Patterson School of Dance Performance
2:30pm O.L.I.V. (One Loud Inner Voice) – a cpella singers: 4-5 mics
3pm CC Express Cloggers
3:30pm Coastal Middle School Sassy Steppaz
4pm CC Express Cloggers

Sunday, December 7
DJ’s to Go all day!
2pm Gretchen Greene School of Dance
3pm Abeni Cultural Arts

For more information, visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

22nd Annual Charleston Tree Lighting Ceremony

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Experience the holiday magic in Charleston. Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and Santa Claus is lighting the magnificent 60-foot Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas Tree in Marion Square.
For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2008: 4:30-6pm at Marion Square
For more information, visit the city of Charleston website.