Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

National Get Outdoors Day – Free Admission

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America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.* This is part of the promotion to get families outdoors more often, so maybe this would be a good time for you to pack a picnic and go visit a park with your family or group of friends. National Get Outdoors Day takes place on June 9, 2012, you can visit some of our parks for free. 

Please check with each park for operating hours and event schedules.

South Carolina
Fort Sumter National Monument

Florida
Canaveral National Seashore
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Gulf Islands National Seashore

Georgia
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Fort Frederica National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Read More:

National Outdoors Day at Fort Pulaski in Savannah, GA

National Get Outdoors Day at Fort Pulaski – Savannah, GA

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National Get Outdoors Day is an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. National parks across the country are celebrating this new event by waiving entrance fees. Get outdoors, and enjoy your national parks! Fort Pulaski National Monument will offer free admission to all visitors on National Get Outdoors Day 2012 – Saturday, June 9th.

Not only is Fort Pulaski one of the most well-preserved fortifications in the Southeast, but it is also surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty, looking out over the Savannah River, marshes and woodlands. “Fort Pulaski National Monument has more than 5,000 acres of beautiful natural resources and wilderness,” said Superintendent Randy Wester.

Programs scheduled for Saturday, June 9 are as listed:

Fort Pulaski
Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia Department of Economic Development

10:00 AM Guided Fort Tour

11:00 Cannon Firing

12:00 PM Musket Firing

1:00 Cannon Firing

1:30 Guided Fort Tour

2:30 Musket Firing

3:00 Cannon Firing

4:00 Guided Fort Tour

5:00 Musket Firing

Extended summer hours will be available at Fort Pulaski National Monument, effective June 2, 2012. The Visitor Center and the historic fort will be open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The park gates will close at 6:45 PM. Please go to the official Fort Pulaski National Monument website for more details regarding park programs. Information on special offerings at parks nationwide is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm. “National park vacations are always memorable and affordable,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. “However, in these tough economic times, we added fee free days as a way to ensure everyone has the opportunity to visit a park. I encourage everyone to sample a new park or revisit an old favorite.”

Read More:

The History of Fort Pulaski

Drake’s Raid in St. Augustine

Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia
Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia

Fun Things To Do in Savannah in May

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Savannah is beautiful this time of year. The many gardens in the old city are in full bloom right now. It’s the perfect time of year to visit. Make time to walk around in the downtown area, or take a walking tour to see the secret gardens of Savannah. The riverfront is always filled with activity and so is the Market Commons area. This year Savannah was selected as the starting point for the Tall Ships Challenge race, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see these beautiful ships in Savannah. 

Savannah Tall Ships Challenge
May 3-7, 2012
Savannah, GA, has been chosen as the starting point for this year’s Tall Ships Challenge race. The ships are arriving in Savannah, Georgia, on May 3, 2012. Read more about the event, and watch the video, on our special page for Savannah Tall Ships Challenge.

Sand Art Festival, SCAD, Savannah Georgia
Sand Art Festival, SCAD, Savannah Georgia

SCAD Savannah Sand Art Festival
May 4, 2012
The annual Sand Arts Festival organized by SCAD is a competition in sand castle design, sand sculpture, sand relief and wind sculpture. Lots of talented SCAD students and alumni compete and this is a great spectator event on Tybee Island, located about 20 min from Savannah. Click here to read more about the Savannah Sand Art Festival.

Tybee Arts Association Show and Sale
May 4 – 6, 2012
Show and sale by local artist members of Tybee Arts Association. Includes paintings, prints, glass art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art, mosaics, art quilts, notecards, art demonstrations and music.

Times: 6-9 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. This is a free event. Admission is free.
The event takes place at Firehouse Arts Center, 7 Cedarwood, Tybee Island. For more information visit www.tybeearts.org

Savannah Westin Hotel, Georgia
Savannah, GA

Tea in the Garden at the Davenport House
May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18; 4:30 p.m.  May 24, 25, 31; 5 p.m. 
On Thursday and Friday afternoons in May.
Learn about tea traditions and experience an early 19th century tea in Davenport House’s beautiful courtyard garden. Patrons will visit areas of the home where tea service took place and will participate in an afternoon tea given with costumed interpreters in the garden. For more information, please call 912.236.8097
http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org/

Savannah Rose Festival at the Botanical Garden
May 4 – 6, 2012
Come see the most beautiful display of spring roses in Savannah. Experience all of our gardens and 10 acres of plantings and nature trails. Tour our beautiful 1840 Reinhard Farmhouse and see what our venue has to offer.
 Friday 4 – 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Botanical Garden at 1388 Eisenhower Dr. in Savannah. 
 www.savannahbotanical.org
Phone: 912.355.3883 

Scottish Games

The 36th Annual Savannah Scottish Games
May 5, 2012
The Scottish Games takes place at the Bethesda Home for Boys.
Admission: Tickets: Adults $10 Advance – $12 at the Gate. Children (age 11-17) $5 (Children 10 and under are free with accompanying paid adult). the Scottish Games takes place on May 5th  from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information visit  call 912.233.6017 or visit our special page for Savannah Scottish Games.

Bring your family and friends out for a day of Scottish cultural heritage, food, entertainment, shopping, highland dancing, piping, heavy athletic competitions,
and children’s activities.

Tybee Island Kite Flying Festival
May 6, 2012
Come fly your kite, or watch others fly their colorful kites at North Beach area & in front of the Tybee Lighthouse Museum from 11:00 am – 2 p.m. This should be a great photo op too!

EVP Tour Pro-Am Beach Volleyball
May 12, 2012
Tybee Island will proudly host the second annual EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour– Savannah Open, featuring elite professional athletes, free agents and amateur volleyball players during Tybee Island’s famous Beach Bum Parade weekend. This event is free and open to spectators. South Beach between Tybrisa Street and 17th Street Tybee Island, Georgia.

April Johnston's SCAD Senior Collection
April Johnston's SCAD Senior Collection

Savannah Fashion Week 2012
May 14-17, 2012
Savannah Fashion Week is a collection of independent retailers promoting fashion and beauty in the Savannah area. A special series of events will take place May 14-17, 2012, on Broughton Street, the Design District in Midtown. Savannah Fashion Week focuses on the unique style. The third annual SFW2012 will kick off Monday, May 14, with evening events on Broughton Street, Downtown Design District and Midtown leading up to the finale show at the Lucas Theatre Thursday, May 17. For more information and a detailed schedule visit www.savannahfashionweek.org

Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade
May 18, 2012 

 This event is not like other parade, it’s war on the streets of Tybee Island. Get prepared to get soaking wet to celebrate the arrival of Summer on the Georgia coast. You can get more detail, and watch a video, on our special page for the Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade.


Things to do in Georgia – April 2012

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Festival season is in full swing on the coast and April is one of the busiest months. There is a lot to do in Georgia, here are some of the events and festivals coming up in the month of April.

 

Photo courtesy of SCAD

SCAD International Festival
Saturday April 7, 2012
Travel around the world without leaving Savannah by visiting SCAD’s International Festival. Experience different cultures; music, dance and other performances. You can also taste food from different countries. This is a free event. More information here.

Easter Egg Stroll – Jekyll Island
Saturday April 7, 2012
From 10 am to 2 pm there is a classic Easter Celebration in the historic district on Jekyll Island. The easter bunny will visit and there is an egg stroll for the little ones. For more information call 1-877-4-JEKYLL

Shell-e-brate Earth Day
Saturday April 14, 2012
Jekyll Island is getting an early start with a special Earth Day celebration at the Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Center. Earth-friendly games and crafts, and exhibitor’s venue, demonstrations and stage programs. This is a free event with paid admission to the center.

Blessing of the Fleet, Darien
April 20 – 22, 2012
This is without doubt the biggest event of the year in the small town of Darien. The whole county comes to this festival. The blessing itself takes place on Sunday at the bridge where shrimp boats will gather for a special celebration and kick off of the upcoming season.

Savannah Sidewalk Arts Festival
Saturday April 28, 2012
Every spring talented SCAD students gather in Forsyth Park for the colorful sidewalk arts festival. This is an art contest where students compete in creating beautiful chalk drawings on the sidewalks in the park.

Tybee Art Association Show & Sale
April 13 – 15, 2012
Local artists from Tybee Arts Association have a show and sale at the Firehouse Art Center on Tybee Island. Here you can find paintings,prints, glass art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art, mosaics, art quilts, notecards, art demonstrations and more. For more information visit www.tybeearts.org

Glynn Art in the Park
April 14 – 15, 2012
Over 80 fine artists and craftsmen gather in Postell Park for the Glynn Art in the Park event. Here you will find paintings, photography, pottery, baskets, woodwork, children’s toys, and much more. This is a free event. This event is sponsored by Glynn Art Association For more information call 912-638-8770 www.glynnart.org

NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens
April 20 – 21, 2012
This is the 37th year for this popular garden event. Walking tour of 10 private gardens located in the Historic District of Savannah. Gardens are selected for their excellence of design, architectural features, historic interest, and overall beauty. In addition to the garden tour, enjoy an authentic Southern Tea in the double parlors of historic Green Meldrim House where iced tea and tasty savories are served. Tea is held between the hours of 2 and 4 pm, only. Entertainment will be provided. More information at www.gardenclubsavannah.org

Earth Day Festival in Forsyth Park
April 21, 2012
Find out how you can become more earth friendly at this event in Forsyth Park, Savannah. More than 100 exhibitors promoting green living and environmental activism. Tons of fun activites for children and great workshops featuring raising chickens, bees, composting, etc. Call 912.651.6943 for more information.

Things to do in Georgia – March 2012

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Spring is in the air, and festival season is getting into full swing, so this month is packed with happenings and events.

You have to taste the catfish!

Heart & Soul Festival
March 4, 2012
Kingsland, Georgia

The three most popular festivals in Camden County; the Rock Shrimp Festival in St Marys, Catfish Festival in Kingsland and Crawfish Festival in Woodbine are combining forces in a special festival where you get the opportunity to taste food from all the festivals. Taste tickets on sale now at Kingsland Visitor Center. The event takes place 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM lat North Shore’s Shell Cracker Clubhouse and is one of the events where the TV series Lovetown, USA is filming. For more information contact Kingsland CVB at 912-729-5999

Savannah International Boat Show
March 2 – 4, 2012
Savannah International Trade and Convention Center

Set course for the annual Savannah Boat & Outdoor Show. The show attracts thousands of boat owners and outdoor enthusiasts with its extensive displays of the latest in watercraft lines, marine equipment, accessories and services. Live music, fishing clinics and simulations, kids’ activities and great food make this a family-friendly event.

Peaches to Beaches

Peaches to Beaches Yard Sale
March 9 – 10, 2012
various locations in Georgia & Golden Isles

This popular yard sales takes place along the Golden Isles Parkway, US 341, from Middle Georgia to the beaches in the Golden Isles. It’s a 220 mile long yard sale paradise for those looking for a good deal. 

Jekyll Island Arts & Antique Festival
March 9 – 11, 2012
Jekyll Island Historic District

Jekyll Island is also located in the Golden Isles area, and on the same weekend, there is an Arts & Antique festival in the beautiful historic district on the island. 

st patrick's day savannah georgia
Green for everyone

St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
March 9 – 17, 2012
various locations

This is one of the biggest and most popular events in Savannah. Actually, the parade is the second largest in the country – so expect a huge crowd. The official start of the celebration is the Greening of Forsyth Park Fountian at noon on March 9, 2012 in Forsyth Park. This event is followed by a family-friendly event to celebrate everything Irish in Emmet Park on March 10, 2012 – Tara Feis Irish Festival. On the same day, there’s also a parade on Tybee Island. But the big event is the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17. Read all about St. Patrick’s Day parade here.

Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens
March 22 – 25, 2012

For the past 76 years, Savannah has played host to the Annual Tour of Homes & Gardens, which offers residents and visitors alike a rare opportunity to enter some of the City’s finest private homes. Historic Savannah Foundation partners with the Women of Christ Church to host the Tour, giving participants the chance to admire restored interiors and special furnishings that have been treasured by families for generations. In addition to a variety of walking tours, guests will enjoy seminars, special trolley tours, evening events and some of the best food and hospitality the South has to offer. Call 912.234.8054.

Bassekou Kouyate
Savannah Music Festival

Savannah Music Festival
March 22 – April 7, 2012
various locations

The Savannah Music Festival is a city-wide musical arts event showcasing renowned performers in jazz, classical, Americana and world music against the backdrop of one of America’s most enchanting historic districts from March 22 to April 7. Described by The Times of London as “one of the best events around the world,” the festival features more than 100 productions over 17 days. Highlights include numerous festival debuts and unique collaborations. In addition to a wealth of varied concert programs, SMF gives attendees a chance to hit the dance floor with Cajun, Salsa and Zydeco dance parties, and also presents an unmatched variety of American acoustic music, blues and jazz. More information at savannahmusicfestival.org