Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Thanksgiving Weekend in Savannah

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The weekend following Thanksgiving, celebrates the holiday season with Savannah Holly Days on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28.

On Friday, November 27 from 6-9 p.m., there will be skating under the stars, a delicious wine tasting, an outdoor holiday movie, a festive marketplace and shopping on Broughton Street.

On Saturday, November 28, start the holidays off right with cookies and milk with Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop from 9:15-10 a.m. From 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., the Savannah Holly Days will have a snow area for playing in Reynolds Square, a skating rink on Broughton Street, shopping in a festive marketplace with great downtown shops and local artisans.

There will also be holiday movies at The Lucas Theatre as well as live entertainment including music and dance performances. Santa will be on hand for photographs and memories along with a variety of children’s activities. From 6-9 p.m., there will be a holiday movie shown on the side of Il Pasticcio.

Savannah Lighted Boat Parade takes place on the river and is well worth a visit. Lots of holiday decorated boats will pass by. There is also the Tree Lighting Ceremony on this Saturday, so it’s a busy day.

For a full list of Savannah Holly Days event information as well as information on special holiday offers from Savannah accommodations, restaurants and attractions, please visit www.SavannahHollyDays.com. For more information, please contact Laura Simpson at 912.644.6452
savannah-night

2nd Annual Yappy Hour Blue Jeans Ball and Silent Auction

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Dress up in your blue jeans, bring all your friends and head to Tybee Island for a fun evening, it’s all for a good cause. Cash bar, silent auction, entertainment and much more. This event is a fundraiser for Coastal Pet Rescue taking place on Saturday November 14, 2009, from 6 pm – 10 pm at Tybee Island American Legion Post 154.

The emcee for the evening will be WJCL anchor Casey Jones
Entertainment provided by Ray Williams of Sounds Great! Entertainment
Some of the fabulous silent auction items:

* 4 Park Hopper Passes to the Walt Disney World Resort
* Rise and Shine gift basket from Loveless Cafe, Nashville
* Coastal Fitness and Wellness, LLC massage Gift Certificate
* Mary Kay gift basket
* Tickets to STOMP at the Johnny Mercer Theater courtesy of TheCoastalEmpire.com
* Paula Deen Holidays book and magazines basket

Gifts for your pets:

* Photos by Becky Gift Certificate
* Gift basket and certificate from Pawparazzi

Artwork from local artists:

* Debbie Brady Robinson
* Savannah Art Works

Gift certificates for local inns:

* Foley Inn
* DeSoto Beach Inn
* River Street Inn

Gift certificates to local restaurants:

* The Crab Shack
* Charly’s

Gift certificates for recreation:

* Capt. Mike’s Dolphin Adventure Tours
* Savannah Canoe and Kayak
* North Island Kayak
* Savannah Dan Walking Tours Private Tour
* Savannah Movie Tours
* Two free rounds of golf at the Wilmington Island Club
* Box seats to the 2010 Savannah Sand Gnats baseball season

Gift certificates for your business:

* Call to Order Organizing
* Signs by Design

Dog Face

Fourth of July in Georgia

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Fantastic Fourth of July on River Street, Savannah, GA

In Savannah, the celebration takes place on River Street in the downtown district.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in River Street style in Savannah, Georgia. The party starts at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more.

Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.

Call 912.234.0295 or visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Click here to watch the new weekly show video for Fourth of July in Georgia

Savannah Swings!

This event has become a yearly tradition in Savannah, and no wonder. It’s definitely very special way to celebrate the 4th of July. Just listen to this.

First, start out with a delicious picnic catered by the First City Club in Reynolds Square. There is really no better way to get a feel for the first city than by spending time in the squares, and why not a picnic. It is after all Fourth of July.

After the picnic, it’s time to head inside the cool Lucas Theater. This time of year, heading inside, can be a great way to cool off. Now you’re going to experience a cool jazz concert with “Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra” with singers Clay Johnson, Adam Jones, Trae Gurley and Huxsie Scott and Special Guest Kim Polote.
Don’t get too relaxed, because then it’s time to move to the beat, this time we’re following the band’s lead. We’re follwing the musicians in a New Orleans-style procession from the front of the Lucas, down the Abercorn ramp, all the way down to River Street. Here it’s time to sit again. This is where you’ll find the best seat in the town for fireworks viewing right on the river. Savannah swings!

Tickets for the concert, parade and seats are $25 for adults, and $10 children 12 and under. There is a $5 discount for military, fire & police.

Tickets for the picnic are available for an additional $20 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under.

The picnic is 3.30 – 5.oo pm and the concert starts at 6 p.m. at the Lucas Theatre.

All tickets are available by calling 912-525-5050.

Savannah Georgia Fourth of July

Fireworks Tybee Island Pier

Get an early start for the 4th of July weekend and head out to Tybee Island. Here the party starts already on Friday July 3rd with fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion.

Call 912-786-5444 for more information.

Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show, St Simons Island, Georgia

This arts and crafts festival takes place in Postell Park in the village. Come and get inspiration for your next art project, or find that perfect gift! Painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, garden art, wood craft, photography, sculpture, sweetgrass baskets, art glass and much much more.

July 3-5 from 10 am to 5 pm.

912.262.0628

Fireworks on St Simon’s at 9 pm!

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Brunswick, GA

Come to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick for an Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration for the whole family. Lots of fun with games, contests, free watermelon and much more. Fireworks at dusk.

4th of July Celebration – Jekyll Island, GA

Jekyll Island is one of our favorite places to visit, and the beach is gorgeous. So if you have friends and family in town, it might be a great idea to head out to Jekyll Island. Take a quick tour of the historic Landmark district and then head to the beach deck. Jekyll Island hosts a family-fun party at the Beachdeck featuring the DeeJay game show – the Big Dawg and Paul Show. The fireworks finale is said to be one of the best in the area.

For more information contact The Jekyll Island Welcome Center: 877-4-JEKYLL

www.jekyllisland.com

Independence Day Festival, St Marys, Georgia

Come visit historic downtown St Marys, GA, for a delightful Independence Day complete with parade and fireworks.

The day starts early with a 5K/10K run, then it is time for the annual parade down main street. Arts and crafts, food vendors and entertainment all day. Fireworks at dusk.

For more information call 912.882-4000

Waterfront in Darien, Georgia

Why wait until Saturday, start your party already on Friday in Darien when Mason Waters and The Groove All-Stars perform on the Waterfront Stage in Darien on Friday July 3rd in celebration of Independence Day. Gates open at 6:00pm; Music begins at 7:00pm with FIREWORKS!! scheduled for 9:15pm.

Cannons Across the Marsh, Fort King George, Darien

Join the Garrison for a day of artillery drills, musket firings and soldier’s life activities to honor Independence Day. Free watermelon and lemonade will be served. $3.50-$5. (912) 437-4770.

Fourth of July

Fourth of July Weekend in Jacksonville, Florida

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Ice Skating & Family Activities all weekend

Make a family day of fun for the Fourth of July, and start already on Friday with lots of activities for the family. Come to the Veterans Memorial arena between noon and 9 p.m for arts, crafts and interactive games including: Rock Climbing Wall, Dance Dance Revolution, Inflatable Twister, Coloring Station, Game Area, Tattoo Station, Yes You Canvas! Display, Hula Hoop Station, Photo Booth, Face Painting, Bean Bag toss, Karaoke, Make Your Own Patriotic Fans, Pinwheels, Buttons, and patriotic frames.

Noon – 9 p.m. (Friday), 10 am – 5 p.m (Saturday), 10 am – 4 p.m (Sunday) at Veterans Memorial Arena
Ice Skating, $3 (includes skate rental)

Friday, July 3rd

Live music by Diggin’ in Dreamland
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor concert. Bring a picnic and your dancing shoes to the Northbank Riverfront. Diggin’ in Dreamland performs at the Northbank Riverfront Park (Pearl St. between the Times-Union Center and the CSX Building) at 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 4th

If you have younger kids, it might be an excellent idea to stop by the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena for ice skating and other fun family activities. On Saturday Radio Disney will be there for fun and games from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Freedom Ride 2009
The Freedom Ride 2009 starts at Adamec Baymeadows and ends at Metropolitan Park, so you should see a lot of cool bikes around in the area. The ride begins at 2.30 p.m

Jacksonville Landing
Head to the landing for a snack and a drink, and live entertainment.
The Jacksonville Landing offers an “All-American 4th” with live music from the stage.
• Bay Street Band, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• 5×7, 3:30 -7:30 p.m.
• Palmetto Catz, 5-9 p.m.
• Navy Band Southeast Wind Ensemble, 8-9:30 p.m.
• Freeze Frame, 10:15 p.m.- 2 a.m.
The Jacksonville Landing: (904) 353-1188 or www.jacksonvillelanding.com

If you are interested in Arts and Crafts, the Riverside Arts Market takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m under the Fuller Warren Bridge. Info: (904) 389-2449 or www.riversideartsmarket.com
You can actually spend time at the market and later head over to Metropolitan Park for the concerts, or if you prefer to the Northbank for the boat decorating contest.

Free Concert in Metropolitan Park
Gates open at 4 p.m., Opening Ceremony at 4:30 p.m., the free concert begins at 5 p.m. This year performances by Grammy award winner Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Grammy award winner Richard Marx, and the Boogie Freaks

Northbank Riverfront
Boat decorating contest for the most patriotic boats. Judging will take place at 4 p.m. from Metropolitan Park to The Jacksonville Landing

Fourth of July Fireworks
Where to watch fireworks? Jacksonville has plenty of options but the Museum of Science and History one of the most interesting ones we’ve seen. Come to MOSH for rooftop viewing, tickets are $10 per person, but that includes both admission to the exhibits and parking, so it’s a good deal.
Many of the hotels around have similar events going on, but for a different price. For more information call (904) 396-6674 or visit www.themosh.org

Fireworks on the Downtown Riverfront
Fireworks can be viewed from the Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns River. The fireworks is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m.

Fireworks in downtown Jacksonville will be shot from river barges behind Metropolitan Park, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and The Jacksonville Landing along with strobes on the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge.

Parking
Sport Complex (Northbank), $5
Water Street Garage (Northbank), $10, Open at 5 p.m.
Courthouse West Lot, $10, Open at 5 p.m.
Yates Garage, $10, Open at 5 p.m.
Kings Avenue Parking Garage (Southbank), $5,
Park at the Kings Avenue Parking Garage on the Southbank and take a Water Taxi to the Jacksonville Municipal Marina near Metropolitan Park. For ice skating, the Veterans Memorial Arena is just a short walk from Metropolitan Park.
For complete information and a downtown parking map, visit www.downtownjacksonville.org

Downtown Trolley
Hours of Operation
July 4, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Service will be limited during the fireworks show due to the Acosta
Bridge closure. Service will continue after the show ends.

Fares
$1 per person. Children ages 12 and under are free

Trolley Stops

* Metropolitan Park (Main entrance)
* Veterans Memorial Arena (Adams St. and A. Philip Randolph Blvd.)
* Liberty St. and Bay St. (near downtown bars)
* Hyatt Regency Hotel (Newnan St. and Bay St.)
* The Jacksonville Landing (Water St. and Hogan St.)
* Museum of Science and History-MOSH (Museum Circle)
* Crown Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront (Riverplace Blvd.)
* Riverside Arts Market (Riverside Ave. near the Fuller Warren Bridge)
Jacksonville Fireworks

Independence Day in Summerville, South Carolina

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Summerville’s own 4th of July celebration is called the Red, White and Blue on the Green. This event brings back an old fashioned Independence Day Celebration and focuses on event suitable for the whole family.
Like most other 4th of July celebrations, Summerville also puts on a parade – but this parade is different. This parade does not allow motorized vehicles!

I honestly don’t know if this is Summerville’s own way of contributing to the green movement, but in any case it does make watching the parade an absolute must. I can just imagine all the festive wagons, pulled by people on rollerblades, skateboards…and more.

Red, White and Blue on the Green includes games and activities for all ages. The information we received mentions “live contests”. So make sure to show up and look alive when you do. If contests are not your thing, maybe we can tempt you with face painting, jumping castles, music, hotdogs or apple pie.

The day will end with spectacular fireworks display. The Red, White & Blue on the Green, Summerville’s Fourth of July Celebration, will be held Friday, July 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Summerville’s Town Square. The event is hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M.

For more information visit www.summervilledream.org

Grandmother celebrating 4th of July