Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Things To Do in South Carolina – September

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 September always kicks off with a busy Labor Day Weekend packed with fun events and lots of things to do all over the coastal region. But that’s not the end of it. In actuality, it’s the beginning of Fall festival season – just take a look at the massive list of festival, events and happenings for Coastal South Carolina for the rest of September.

 

Restaurant Week – Charleston, SC

September 7 – 18, 2011

Who doesn’t love to go out and eat? All of us do, and during this event you have the opportunity to get a three course meal at a fixed price. It’s a good deal, and a great time to explore and find new places to eat in Charleston.

Read more about the event here – Charleston Restaurant Week

 

 

Largest Garage Sale – Myrtle Beach, SC

September 10, 2011

This is the 23rd year for  this huge garage sale held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Exhibit Hall. The sale features 280 vendor booths and thousands of shoppers.  

Read more about the Largest Garage Sale in Myrtle Beach, SC here.

 

Dog Day AfternoonDog Day Afternoon – Charleston, SC

September 10, 2011

Let your dog enjoy the last days of Summer with a special doggy play day at Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Park.  Read more about the event here.

 

Shaggin’ on the Cooper – Charleston, SC

September 10, 2011

This is the last dance for the season on the Cooper! It’s a bittersweet goodbye because it means that Summer is ending and Fall is knocking on our door. Read more about Shaggin’ on the Cooper here.

 

Scottish Games & Highland Gathering – Charleston, SC

September 17, 2011

This festival offers has a little bit of everything and is great fun for the whole family. Here you can enjoy Scottish heavy athletics, from caber toss to hammer throwing and much more. The festival also holds the largest drum and pipe competition in the Southeast. Visit our special events page to watch the video from the event. 

Just click here.

 

Fall Tour of Home & Gardens – Charleston, SC

September 22 – October 23, 2011

During this event you get a chance to stroll through intimate gardens and architecturally significant private homes, churches and public buildings. Tours highlight American architecture from the early Georgian Period into the 20th century. You will enjoy unique neighborhoods that represent Charleston’s flourishing culture from the Colonial era to the present.

 

Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival – Huntington Beach State Park, SC

September 23 – 25, 2011

Atalaya is a Moorish-style “castle” built in the Great Depression as a winter home and sculpture studio by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington at Huntington Beach State Park. This is the location of a great yearly Arts & Crafts Festival that draws a crowd from all over. 

Watch the video and get the link to the dollar off coupon from our special events page.

Click here for more about the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival.

 

Moonlight Mixer – Charleston, SC

September 23, 2011

The Moonlight Mixer series is also wrapping up. The next Moonlight Mixer at Folly Beach Pier is coming up on September 23, 2011 and there is one more dance left for October. Tickets are available first come first serve – at the gate for $10. More information www.ccprc.com

 

Museum Mile Weekend – Charleston, SC

September 25, 2011 The 2nd Annual Museum Mile Weekend is scheduled for September 23 – 25, 2011. Many of the cultural sites along Charleston’s Museum Mile have joined forces and created this event. This year Friday has been added to the weekend, so you have even more time to explore the history of Charleston, SC. Read more about the Museum Mile Weekend

 

Green Fair – Charleston, SC

September 25, 2011

In 2010 ab0ut 5,000 eco-conscious festival goers gathered at Marion Square for the Green Fair, and this year’s festival promises to be even better. Visit our special event page to watch the video from the event.

Just click here.

 

MOJA Arts Festival – Charleston, SC

September 29 – October 9, 2011

The MOJA Arts Festival is a colorful festival with a variety of performances. You can experience everything from visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, to storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and much, much more.

For tickets and updated information visit www.MOJAfestival.com

 

Other stories to read:

Oktoberfest on the River – Savannah, GA

Talk Like a Pirate Day – September 19

 

 

 

Labor Day Weekend in Georgia

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Labor Day is always a big deal in coastal Georgia with lots of festivals and events. This is a great time for a road trip, but make your plans early. Lots of people are visiting the area this weekend.

Savannah is one of our favorite places to visit this time of year. When the weather is hot and humid you feel transported back to the “good old days” when women wore long skirts, men hats and everyone traveled by horse carriage. At least that’s what it seems like when you watch movies. Speaking of which, Savannah has been the backdrop to many Hollywood films. There are even tours focusing on the movie history of the old city.

Savannah is a great city for a walking. Just take your time and enjoy the beautiful architecture and the many squares and gardens. Besides the Riverfront, we always enjoy visiting the City Market. Lots of places to eat or just hang out, and lots of people to watch.

The place to be this weekend is at the Craft Brew Fest.

 

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

 

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

This event has grown over the years and has become one of the most popular fall events in Savannah. At Savannah Craft Brew Fest you get the opportunity to try 130 different kinds of beer, and lots more. Rub elbows with beer enthusiasts from all over the Southeast, and talk to brewers from all over the country. This event takes place September 2 – 4, 2011.

Get the details on our special events page for Savannah Craft Brew Fest.

 

Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island

Labor Day is traditionally the time of year when we should say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall. That seems a bit too early for us here on the coast, we still have plenty of beach weather ahead. In any case, if you are determined to spend as much time on the beach as possible this weekend — head to Tybee Island. Tybee is located a short 20 minute drive outside Savannah. It’s actually a pretty cool drive too. You travel across the vast marshland before you reach the island itself. 

The Labor Day Beach Bash takes place on September 4, 2011. You can get more details about the event on our page for Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island, GA.

South of Savannah and just north of Jacksonville on the other side of the border is where Kingsland, GA, is located. If you live in Jacksonville, this is a perfect day trip. You can even visit the small historic city of St. Marys first, take a stroll in the park or relax at the waterfront. From St. Marys you can take the boat over to Cumberland Island, but call first, this boat can be booked during big weekends. Kingsland CVB can answer all your questions about the area.

Just call them at 1-800-433-0225 or visit visitkingsland.com

 

 

Kingsland Catfish Festival 

This is the biggest festival in Camden County, attracting about 65,000 people over the weekend. The festival takes place in downtown Kingsland September 3 – 5, 2011, and includes a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and much more. The biggest attraction is the fried catfish dinner. Get all the details here.

 

Here is our video from the event.

 

Labor Day Weekend Invitational Art Show — St Simons Island, GA

This is the Annual Labor Day Weekend Invitational Arts & Crafts Show in Mallery Park (baseball fields in the village. The show takes place on September 3 & 4, 2011 from 10am to 5 pm both days. For more information call (912)262-0628.

First Friday — Downtown Brunswick, GA

Downtown Promenade from 5 – 8. Take a stroll through our beautiful downtown district. Galleries and shops will be open and serving wine & snacks, with live music in the pocket parks. Brunswick Downtown Development Authority: (912) 265-4032

Trail Mix Day is Coming Up!

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Trail Mix Day is coming up on August 31, 2011, so we thought you might want to try this  unique sweet and salty granola recipe which is very  easy to prepare and can be ready to eat in minutes!

Nutritious and Delicious Granola

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 8 minutes

 

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

¾ cup coarsely chopped unsalted nuts of your choice

½ teaspoon of canola oil

1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup of dried fruit of choice

 

Put the oats, nuts, oil, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir until evenly coated.

Put the oat mixture into the ActiFry pan and cook for 7 minutes, until the oats and nuts are well toasted. Add the dried fruit and cook for an additional minute.

Remove ActiFry pan from its base and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. It will crisp further as it cools. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

More information at www.tfal.com

 

 

Restaurant Week in Jacksonville

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One of our favorite things — or guilty pleasure — is to go out and eat.  We always enjoy trying a new type of cuisine or a new restaurant. Unfortunately, these days everyone has had to cut down to save money, and eating out is one of those things we don’t get to do as often as we would like.

That’s why I always keep my eyes open for Restaurant Weeks and other deals. Instead of Restaurant Week, Jacksonville, Florida, has its own variation called “Eat Up Downtown”.

In August every year the downtown area of Jacksonville participates in an event called Eat Up Downtown. It’s a great deal for foodies. You get a three course meal at participating restaurants for only 25 dollars per person.

So make plans to take advantage of this event. Maybe you can find your new favorite restaurant this way. For more information and the list of participating restaurants, visit our special events page for

Eat Up Downtown in Jacksonville

Things to Do in Georgia – August 2011

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August is the month when kids go back to school and life returns to normal for many parents. But here on the coast Summer is far from over. Actually August is usually one of our hottest months, so there is no surprise that the month offers both cool jazz and and a beach music festival.

Savannah is a special place in the summer with its beautiful squares and gorgeous architecture. In the summer, downtown is usually filled with people from all corners of the world and the city takes on an international atmosphere.  

It’s always a pleasure to visit the riverfront in downtown Savannah, especially in the summer.  Lot’s of people, and lots of fun.  

SAVANNAH

2009 Heirloom Tomatoes

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
August 2, 2011
Restaurant Cha-Bella is inviting all tomato-lovers to the 2nd Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival – a special evening of heirloom tomato celebration. This event offers 14 different kinds of organic heirloom tomatoes. A four course killer tomato meal is available for $29.  Email farmboxharvest@cha-bella.c​om to reserve your seat – space is limited and will fill up fast. Call 912.790.7888 for more information.

 

First Friday Oyster Roast & Fireworks
August 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm 

Savannah Westin Hotel, GeorgiaThe Westin Savannah Harbor hosts a riverside evening celebration with live music, libations and hot fresh grill items & oysters for the first Friday every month. Call 912.201.2000 for more information or visit www.westinsavannah.com

Cigar Box Guitar Concert
August 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Come to a free concert with local blues/slide guitarists Eric Culberson, Georgia Kyle and Roy Swindell at The Ships of the Sea Museum Garden. The musicians will play Museum-model cigar box guitars in advance of the cigar box guitar making workshop on August 20. Video appearances by Richard Leo Johnson and Scott Ainslie. Refreshments available. More information at www.shipsofthesea.org or call 912.232.1511

 

Jazz it Up on the River
August 13, 2011 at 5 pm. 
Jazz – Just Across The River presents, Barbara Rosene In Johnny Mercer Tribute at the Westin Savannah Harbor. 
Barbara Rosene, who is the vocalist with the Harry James Orchestra will perform a tribute to the master of lyric, Johnny Mercer. Recently Ms. Rosene has been touring with The Harry James Big Band led by Fred Radke. They have been visiting cities all over America and Canada including performances at The Montreal Jazz Festival. 

The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. For more info call: 912.920.1317

 

Low Country Boil at the Fort
August 27, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm.

This annual event is the only fundraiser for this National Historic Landmark and Georgia’s oldest brick fortification – Old Fort Jackson in Savannah. The event includes a silent auction, live music, a low country boil, and programming for kids and adults. Admission is free. Call 912.232.3945 for more information.

 

Something Old, Something New…
August 28, 2011 from noon  – 4 pm. 
Planning a wedding soon? This event will feature service providers for limousine, photography, music, flowers and rental furniture and equipment. See the very latest in fashions and wedding attire in the fashion show and experience culinary delights created by the Richmond Hill City Center team. The event takes place in Richmond Hill at the Richmond Hill City Center. Call 912.445.0043 for more information. Tickets $5.00 at the door.

ST SIMONS ISLAND

St. Simons is also busy in the summer.  In the evenings, lots of people walk down to the pier to watch the sunset or the fishermen.  If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two.

Jazz in the Park
August 28, 2011 

The Jazz in the park series at the lawn of St. Simons Lighthouse has become a favorite summer event in the Golden Isles area. This month the concert takes place on Sunday, August 28 when  Just Jazz Quintet is performing. Read more about the event on our page for Jazz in the Park

JEKYLL ISLAND

Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island, GA
August 12 – 13, 2011  

To me nothing says summer more than beach music.   The Jekyll Island Beach Music festival is held in Great Dunes Park which is the new park that was built on Jekyll Island. Everyone’s favorite beach music band “The Swingin’ Medallions” is performing again this year.  

Check out our video from the event on the special page for Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island.