Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

2010 Wings and Wheels – Jacksonville, Florida

by

The 2010 Wings and Wheels event will take on Saturday, September 25, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in Jacksonville, Florida. This event is a combination airport open house and car & truck show. The event features “wheels” such as hot rods,modern stock and antiques. The “wings” section include airplanes from antiques to warbirds to homebuilts.

In addition, there are displays of some of aviations most famous airplanes such as the P-51 mustang, Stearman bi-plane, and a fully restored 1933 Lockheed Electra. There will also be many new airplanes as well as helicopters you can watch.

Other activities include a Kids Fun Zone provided by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, live entertainment, food, prizes, and vendors.

The organizers are expecting a turnout of 8 – 12000 people. This event is a fundraiser for EAA Chapter 193, a Not-for-Profit organization dedicated to preserving general aviation.

Admission is free.
Saturday September 25, 2010 from 10:00AM TO 4:00PM rain or shine…

2010 Wings N Wheels event to be held on Craig Airport, Jacksonville, Florida. Located at the corner of Atlantic Blvd and St. Johns Bluff Rd


View Larger Map

MOSH $5 Fridays now includes weekends – Jacksonville

by

Five dollar Fridays at MOSH has become a great success in Jacksonville, Florida. Now the Museum of Science & History is introducing $5 Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) starting on Saturday, August 6 through Sunday, October 17, 2010. So if you haven’t been to MOSH yet, here’s your chance.

The five dollar Fridays promotion, which launched in July, has resulted in a 288% increase in attendance as compared to Fridays in June. To accommodate crowds and busy family schedules, the museum will stay open until 8 p.m. on Fridays. MOSH is also extending $5 Fridays through the end of the year.

In addition to the eight core exhibits MOSH offers daily, patrons will be able to visit the featured summer exhibit The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition, on display through September 12. And, on September 25, dinosaurs will invade MOSH with the opening of Prehistoric Predators.

People who visit before August 23 have one last opportunity to see a show in the museum’s vintage planetarium (for an additional $2 per person per show). The Alexander Brest Planetarium will be decommissioned August 23 at 11 a.m. The space science theater will then close, reopening October 23 after a complete renovation and the installation of the state-of-the-art Bryan Gooding Planetarium.

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) is located at 1025 Museum Circle near Friendship Fountain Park. MOSH, first chartered in 1941 as the Jacksonville Children’s Museum, stimulates the joy of learning for visitors of all ages in science, astronomy and the history of the region. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Museum admission is $11 for adults, $9.50 for military and senior citizens, $9 for children 3-12, and free for children 2 and under and members. Admission is $5 on Fridays through Friday, December 30 and Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 17.

It’s Shark Week in Charleston and Jacksonville

by

As you know, it’s Shark Week this week on Discovery Channel.  This summer favorite first aired in 1987 and it has been a cable TV hit ever since with a cult-like following. Shark Week features documentaries and educational programs about sharks for seven days straight.  This year Shark week is hosted by Late Late Show’s own Craig Ferguson, I’m not sure what knowledge about the big fish the Scotsman can bring to the table – but I’m sure Craig will boost ratings.

Here at Coastal Companion we decided to make our own version of Shark Week. After all, who want’s to spend a whole week watching TV in the summer?

Take a look at our ides for what to do during Shark Week.


Jacksonville Sharks
Guys like to watch hard hits and lots of action, isn’t that how Shark Week got popular in the first place? But when we talk about Sharks in Jacksonville, were not talking about fish with big teeth, we’re talking lots of arena football action with the city’s home team – The Jacksonville Sharks.  It’s the first year for the team, and they are the South Division Champions of the Arena Football League. Take a look at the incredible action in our video from the last game Jacksonville Sharks vs. Spokane Shock!

Fans are have created their own Shark Dance, the dance team is the Shark Attack team – and it’s just a lot of “fin-tastic fun”! (Click here to watch our video and see for yourself) The Jacksonville Sharks are what Discovery Channel commentators would put it “nature’s perfect killing machine”! The team is  in the playoffs and are facing the Orlando Predators at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday August 6. The question is are the Predators  going to become shark bait? Yeah, it is definitely Shark Week in Jacksonville.

Love at First Bite in Charleston
In South Carolina the aquarium celebrates Shark Week with a week long celebration of all things Shark.  Catch one of the shark-themed dive shows, participate in new special interactive activities such as ‘Sharkeology’ and ‘Shark Shapes,’ venture through Shark Alley to see the real size of some of these silent giants and of course, marvel at live sharks swimming in the Aquarium’s largest exhibit, the Great Ocean Tank.

For those who swim with the big fish,  on Thursday, August 5, there’s a a FREE showing of the classic shark movie, ‘Jaws’ at the Aquarium’s Movie on the Lawn! See ‘Jaws’ on the big screen with the sound of the ocean just beyond your seat. Lawn opens at 7 p.m. with the movie beginning at dark. Before the movie starts, interact with Aquarium educators rovering the lawn and watch an Aquarium-made short film on shark myths. This is a free showing, although donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the conservation efforts at the Aquarium. Bring your own chair or blanket.

The South Carolina Aquarium will celebrate Shark Week July 30 – August 8, 2010. For more information, visit scaquarium.org/sharkweek or call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Sandbar Shark, courtesy of: South Carolina Aquarium

Things to do in South Carolina – August 2010

by

August is the hot month, but even so most of us enjoy going to the beach, grilling out, and spending time outdoors. There is no shortage of


Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach in August

live music event, festivals and happenings going on during the month of August.  Here are a few tips for fun things to do in August in South Carolina.

There’s a Tobacco Heritage Festival this month.  At this event you can experience the rural heritage of Horry County through demonstrations of traditional farming techniques such as hand stringing and tying tobacco. There are also children’s activities, live entertainment and more.

The Tobacco Festival takes place Horry County Museum’s Living History Farm in Conway, SC on August 7, 2010, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Call 843-915-5320 for more information or visit the Museum’s website.

Folly Beach Fishing Pier

Southern Fried Reggae

Enjoy live reggae music in the Charleston area parks this summer. There are two reggae concerts in the Reggae Nights series taking place in the month of August. The first Reggae Nights concert takes place in Wannamaker Park where Mystic Vibrations is performing live on August 7, 2010. The second concert of the month is at James Island County Park where Jah Works performs on August 21. For more information, visit our special events page to find out more about Live Reggae Music in Charleston

Speaking of live music,  you can enjoy live music, the ocean breeze and the stars above while you  dance the night away on Folly Beach Fishing Pier on August 13.  Read more about this event here – Moonlight Mixers on Folly Beach Pier.

Sometimes the heat in August can be a bit much, and it’s nice to cool off inside in the a/c.

The Craftsmen's Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival

Handmade & Unique

The Craftsmen’s Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC, will allow you to do just that. This festival features work from hundreds of talented artists and craftspeople from across America.  You get an opportunity to close up see how it’s all done as many exhibitors demonstrate throughout the weekend.  This event takes place at Myrtle Beach Convention Center August 6-8, 2010. Visit the event website for more information.

(Click here to get a printable coupon for $1:00 off at the door!)

If you like to shop and find bargains, you have an opportunity to go bargain hunting indoors at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center during the Largest Garage Sale taking place on August 14, 2010.

LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze
LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze

Shop, Shag & Sculpture

If you’re serious about your shopping and finding the best deals, this event opens already at 7 a.m. in the morning.  Check out our special events page for The Largest Garage Sale in South Carolina for details.

Take your sweetheart by the arm and head out to  the pier in Mount Pleasant for a night of music and dancing. On August 28 Shem Creek Boogie Band is performing. Get more details on our special events page for Shaggin’ on the Cooper

Check out some of the incredible sculptures on exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens this month. The National Sculpture Society’s popular Annual Awards Exhibition opens on August 7, 2010, at Brookgreen Gardens. Here you can see every type of sculpture from traditional to out of this world.
Click here to read more about the Awards Exhibition at Brookgreen Gardens

In Hilton Head, don’t forget to check out HarbourFest, one of the most popular events in the area.  HarbourFest offers live entertainment every night of the week, and there’s even fireworks every Tuesday until August 10, so don’t miss out.  For the complete schedule, visit our special events page for HarbourFest Hilton Head Island, SC

Music on the Green in July – Freshfield Village

by

This is a free concert series called Music on The Green Concert Series at Freshfields Village, located between the crossroads of the two islands of Kiawah Island and Seabrook in the Charleston area.

For the month of July Freshfields Village will rock out with live music in a free concert series. Enjoy great music and after-hours shopping.

Friday, July 2, 6pm – 9pm – The Coconut Grove Band begins the Village’s celebration of the July 4th weekend with Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll, True Blue Standards and popular island tunes. Bring a chair or blanket.

Sunday, July 4th, 3pm – 6pm – Feel the beat of the islands with the Island Trio, who bring people to their feet with a mix of Calypso, Reggae, Beach and Rock & Roll.

Friday, July 9th, 6pm – 9pm – The David Archer Band returns to the Village crowds that love them, playing Rthymn & Blues, Rock & Roll and other tunes that prompt guests to dance the night away.

Friday, July 16th, 6pm – 9pm – Known all along the Carolina coast and a Lowcountry favorite; singer, songwriter Shrimp City Slim performs modern Blues to his own original tunes.

Friday, July 23rd, 6pm – 9pm – Originally known as a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, the Rum Punch Bandits expand their music to include Beach, Classic and Tex-Rock. A seven piece band first played at the Village in November 2000. Bring a chair or blanket and welcome Rum Punch Bandits back to the Green.

Friday, July 30th, 6pm – 9pm The whole family will enjoy the evening to the max when The Maxx hits the stage with hits from the 50s, 60s 70s and 80s. Nostalgia, and then some.

Visit Freshfield Village for more