Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Jekyll Island Shrimp n’ Grits Festival in Georgia

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The annual Shrimp n’ Grits festival in Jekyll Island, Georgia, is one of our favorite festivals on the coast. There is always a lot to see and do at this festival. This year it’s the 8th year for the popular Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival. If you love seafood, especially shrimp, this is the place to visit. The festival takes place in the historic district on September 19 – 21, 2014.
To kick-off the weekend, Opening Night Plate Samples will be offered on Friday, Sept. 20, with plates priced at $3 each. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival hosts two cooking contests, first, an amateur Cooking Competition and then the Professional Chef Cooking Competition. There will also be cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs.
Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island, GAFrom the Kids Fun Zone, zip lines and bounce houses, to ongoing cooking demos, shrimp eating contests and never-ending assortment of tasty finds, the 2013 Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival promises to dish up a good time for the whole family!

General admission to the festival is free.

Here is our video from when we visited the festival a while back.

Fun things to do in Georgia in October

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When it’s October, fall festival season is in full swing. October  means seafood festivals, lots of football, fall festivals, Oktoberfest and then we top it all off with Halloween.

Pirate Fest, Tybee Island, GA

 

Oktoberfest on the River – Savannah, GA

October 5 – October 7, 2012
 Savannah always has an exciting  Oktoberfest on Riverstreet. This festival has everything you expect from beer garden, to Oompah band and the popular Wienerdog race.
Visit our special events page for Oktoberfest on the River

Tybee Island Pirate Fest -Tybee Island, GA

October 4 – 7, 2012
Quickly change from lederhosen to peg leg and eye patch because as soon as the Oompah band stops playing, the pirates take over the whole island of Tybee. It’s time for the popular Pirate Fest on October 4 – 7, 2012. Check out our special events page for Tybee Island Pirate Fest.

Hand on learning

 

CoastFest 2012 – Brunswick, GA

October 6, 2012

Learn more about the coastal landscape, the marshes, and the life in the ocean in this very special annual festival perfect for families with young children. Touch tank, arts & crafts, living history events and lots of learning for free. Read more here.

 

 

Rock Shrimp Festival – St Marys, GA

October 6, 2012
This annual festival celebrates the Rock shrimp with a big party in downtown St. Marys. Lots of fun for the whole family with parade, 5K run, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and more. The highlight is of course the rock shrimp dinner! Watch our video from the festival here.

 

The Great Ogechee Seafood Festival – Richmond Hill, GA

October 19-21, 2012
There’s another seafood festival in Georgia in October. This time, head to Richmond Hill outside Savannah for lots of fun for the whole family. Find out more here – The Great Ogechee Seafood Festival.

Shalom Y’All Jewish Food Festival

 

Shalom Y’all – Jewish Food Festival – Savannah, GA

October 28, 2012
There is another food festival in Georgia this month. This festival takes place in Forsyth Park. Come explore Jewish food. Find out more on our special page for Shalom Y’all – Jewish Food Festival – Savannah

 

Savannah Film Festival

October 27 – November 3, 2012
This year the Savannah film festival is celebrating 15 years.  The festival kicks off at the end of October, check out our special events page for Savannah Film Festival.

 

Wait… There is more to read…

 

Datil Pepper Festival

Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic

Concourse d’Elegance – Hilton Head Island, SC

Labor Day Weekend in coastal Georgia

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Labor Day is always a big deal in coastal Georgia with lots of fun things to do on the coast with festivals and events.Savannah is always a great city to visit. 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 most popular event for Labor Day is probably the beer festival, Savannah 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 August 26 – September 2, 2012.

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 3, 2012. You can get more details about the event on our page for Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island, GA.

 

 

 

Kingsland Catfish Festival 

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

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.

 

 

Going to the Ritz in Brunswick

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Sometimes when the weather is really hot and humid, it does seem like a wonderful idea to go inside and cool off. The Ritz in downtown Brunswick is one of those old movie theatres that have been restored and brought back to life. Here you can experience movie watching the way it used to be in the good old days. In the Summer, the Ritz brings back some of the most beloved classic movies to the silverscreen with the Summer Movie Classic Series.

Poodle Skirts, Brylcreem and Sing-Alongs

First on the agenda is the clasic movie musical Grease from 1978. Come early, and feel free to break out the poodle skirts and Brylcreem for a fun night downtown when the movie series kicks off for its sixth season on Thursday, July 12, 2012. Cartoons and other shorts begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a costume contest for all ages. The feature begins at 7:00 with the lyrics to all the songs projected right on the screen.

“This is the third year we’ve started the Summer Classics with a sing-along show, and our
audiences always love it,” says Rob Nixon, who coordinates film programming at the Ritz for
Golden Isles Arts and Humanities. “Kids and adults come in costume and really become part of
the musical cast. We think this year is going to be the best sing-along yet since Grease is one of
our most requested movies ever.”

Prizes for the Grease costume contest, which will be awarded in age levels, have been donated
by Glynn Crisis Center (a “Taste of Glynn” cookbook), artist Ian Kaszans, and Color Me Happy.
In addition, door prizes will be given out at the remaining four movies in the series, provided by
such local merchants as Clover Skin Studio, Fox’s Pizza Den Downtown, Glynn Chiropractic,
Hattie’s Books, Stitch in Time monogram shop, and Ned Cash Jewelers.

Dinner and a Movie

Following the Grease Sing-Along on July 12, Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will screen the
terrifying blockbuster Jaws on Thursday, July 19, at 7:00 p.m.; the Spencer Tracy-Katharine
Hepburn comedy Adam’s Rib on Thursday, July 26, at 7:00; the perfect election-year movie, Mr.
Smith Goes to Washington on Thursday, August 2, at 7:00; and a matinee of the much-requested
classic The Music Man on Sunday, August 5, at 3:00 p.m.

Every Thursday evening of the series, the public is invited to make a night of it downtown with
food and drink specials in the neighborhood:

Fox’s Pizza Den at 1429 Newcastle St., one block from the Ritz, is offering a great “Dinner and a Movie” special with its new expanded menu. Buy your ticket at the Ritz box office beginning at 5:00 p.m. on show night and take it to Fox’s for 10% offyour bill and priority dining to get you back in time for the movie. On the way back to the theater, stop in at Achin’ 4 Bakin’ across the street from the Ritz and pick up special theme cupcakes for movie snacks. As usual, Angie Aimar and James Laurens ofColdwell Banker Platinum Partners will be serving up piping hot popcorn in the theater lobby (first come, first served).Ticket holders can also show their tickets at Tipsy McSway’s, 1414 Newcastle, for a free draft beer after the show.

“We’re excited to partner with these great local businesses to make Downtown Brunswick the
place to be for a complete, entertaining night out,” Nixon says. “We’re very lucky to have a
historic neighborhood that’s still so vibrant and full of fun places the whole community can
enjoy. And with the terrific line-up we have for this year’s Summer Classics, we look forward
to bringing a lot of people Downtown, not only on Thursday evenings but for the special Music
Man matinee.”

Admission to each show in the Summer Classic Movies series is still only $5 for all ages. The
box office opens at 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 5. Cartoons,
previews, and short subjects begin about 30 minutes before show time. For more information,
please visit goldenislesarts.org or call 912-262-6934.

 

SUMMER CLASSIC MOVIES AT THE RITZ SERIES FOR 2012

Thursday, July 12, 7:00 p.m. – Grease Sing-Along (1978)
It’s the one that you want! The most successful movie musical of all time and one of the most
requested by Ritz film patrons will put a spring in your step and bring a song to your lips. John
Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and Stockard Channing bring back the 1950s—and so can our
audiences with lyrics printed right on the big screen for you to sing along. Come in costume and
compete for prizes!

Thursday, July 19, 7:00 p.m. – Jaws (1975)
We’re gonna need a bigger boat! The terrifying blockbuster that redefined summer movies and
put a chill into the ocean comes to the big screen just in time for beach season. Richard Dreyfus,
Roy Scheider, and a shark named Bruce star in this Oscar winner for editing, sound, and that
unforgettably frightening music score.

Thursday, July 26, 7:00 p.m. – Adam’s Rib (1949)
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn were one of the most popular screen teams of all time,
and in this, the sixth of their nine films together, they’re at the top of their form as a married
pair of lawyers squaring off on opposite sides in the trial of a woman accused of shooting her
husband. The delightfully witty Oscar-nominated screenplay gives them plenty of chances to
spar in this hilarious battle-of-the-sexes comedy classic.

Thursday, August 2, 7:00 p.m. – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
No matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on, you’ll love this Oscar winner (Best
Writing) all about an idealistic young man who finds himself in Congress and up to his ears in
political corruption. James Stewart gives a powerful and likable performance as a naïve but
passionate Everyman who takes on the system and wins the heart of cynical reporter Jean Arthur.

Sunday, August 5, 3:00 p.m. – The Music Man (1962)
We got trouble right here in River City! The Tony Award-winning play that became a hit movie
musical is here at the Ritz to entertain and enchant you with such memorable songs as “Good
Night, My Someone,” “Til There Was You,” and, of course, “76 Trombones.” Robert Preston
is all smooth-talking charm as the traveling con man who reforms under the spell of librarian
Shirley Jones and small-town life in early 20th century America.

Fun Things To Do in June on the Coast

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In the Coastal Companion Calendar of our TV show “I Know Jax” broadcasting on CW17 on Saturdays at 11 pm,  we take a look at what’s happening on the coast in the area.  

Savannah Asian Festival in June

One of the most popular cultural festivals on the coast is coming up in June, the Savannah Asian Festival. This yearly one-day festival attracts about 60,000 people, so you know it’s a popular event.

Here you can sample exotic cuisines from across the continent. Local restaurants, will be cooking up favorite dishes from Polynesia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. In addition, there’s a variety of martial arts and dance performances, and live music on stage from artists representing different countries.

There’s also traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. From hand made jewelry to calligraphy sets, paintings, hand-beaded clothing, henna body painting, and even a workshop on Asian and Middle Eastern Tea Ceremonies. The festival takes place on June 23 at the Savannah Civic Center, located at Montgomery and Liberty Streets. Parking at the Civic Center is free for the day. Read more about Savannah Asian Festival here.

Greek Festival

Greek Landing Day Festival – St. Augustine, Fl

Maybe you already know that St Augustine, Florida has a strong historic tie with Greece and Greek culture. In June the community celebrates the 244th anniversary of the arrival of the first colony of Greeks in North America. Hundreds of Greeks, Menorcans and Corsicans arrived in St. Augustine on June 26, 1768 and went on to establish what was called the New Smyrna Colony.

If you haven’t tried greek food before, this is your chance. My favorite is baklava, but I also enjoy spanakopita and mousaka.

Visit the so called “Glendi” for a celebration of music, food and dancing during the Greek Landing Day Festival June 22 – 24, 2012. Admission is free.

The St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine is located at 41 St. George Street in St. Augustine.

For more information, call 904-829-8205

 

Daufuskie Day in South Carolina

Another heritage festival in our area is the annual Daufuskie Day in South Carolina. This festival was organized by islanders to preserve the gullah heritage. this year it’s the 36th year for the festival where you can taste authentic Gullah cuisine, and learn more about the culture.

You can take a boat from Savannah or from Hilton Head Island.  Daufuskie day takes place on June 23.

For more information visit www.daufuskieislandfoundation.com