Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

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.

 

 

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

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.