Labor Day events on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida. We cover the Beach Boogie BBQ in Myrtle Beach, the Savannh Craft Brew Festival & Kingsland Catfish Festival in Georgia, and the American Music Festival in Daytona Beach Florida.
Labor Day Weekend – Georgia – 2010
Labor Day is always a big deal on the coast of Georgia with a variety of annual festivals and events. It’ll be hard to choose, but here’s a quick rundown to help you with you plan your weekend getaway trip.
Let’s start in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is always a beautiful city to visit, especially in the warmer season. You can take a nice walk down to Riverstreet. One of our favorite places to visit for a drink, something to eat or just to people watch is the City Market.
But if you visit Savannah during Labor Day weekend, the place to be is Savannah Craft Brew Fest. This event start already on September 4 with the grande tasting event on Saturday September 5.
For more information visit our special page about Savannah Craft Brew Fest.
About a 20 minute drive from Savannah, you’ll find Tybee Island, often referred to as Savannah’s own beach.  If you’re looking to spend your Labor Day weekend on the beach – why not head out to Tybee Island. The island has plenty of nice restaurants and bars, quaint shops and on Saturday September 5, 2010, Tybee celebrates the weekend with a big bash. It’s the Tybee Island Labor Day Beach Bash – complete with fireworks.
Read more here – Tybee Island Labor Day Beach Bash
In Camden County further south, Labor Day weekend is celebrated every year with a festival. It’s the annual Kingsland Catfish Festival. This festival of course serves southern fried catfish – but besides food, the festival comes with vendors, arts & crafts, live music and a parade.
Read more here about the Kingsland Catfish Festival
Click here to watch our video podcast about Labor Day Weekend!
Things to do in Georgia – August 2010
I never get tired of visiting Savannah with its beautiful squares and beautiful architecture. In the summer, downtown is usually filled with people and there’s a lot going on. Â There are so many different places to sit down, have a bite to eat or a drink. Â With the beginning of a new month comes another “week of firsts” – and in Savannah there are even two special events.
It’s always a pleasure to visit the riverfront in downtown Savannah, especially in the summer. Â Lot’s of people, and lots of fun. Â To finish off a day of sightseeing head to the riverfront for First Friday Fireworks on August 6, 2010 at 9:30 pm. Â Then on Saturday August 7, it’s the First Saturday on the river, with lots of events, arts & crafts and fun for the whole family.
St. Simons is also busy in the summer. Â In the evenings, lots of people walk down to the pier to watch the sunset or the fishermen. Â If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two.
The Jazz in the park 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 22 when  Gwen Hughes and the Retro Jazz Cats are performing. Read more about the event on our page for Jazz in the Park
To me nothing says summer more than beach music.  You can’t beat the combination of beach music and bbq, and this is especially attractive when the event in question takes place on beautiful Jekyll Island, Georgia. This year the festival is held in Great Dunes Park for the first time.  Everyone’s favorite beach music band “The Swingin’ Medallions” are coming again.  The Beach Music Festival and BBQ Bash takes place August 20 – 21, 2010.
Check out our video from the event on the special page for Beach Music Festival and BBQ Bash on Jekyll Island.
Old Fort Jackson Auction invites you to join for a special Low Country Boil and Auction on August 28, 2010. This is an annual fundraiser for Old Fort Jackson, a National Historic Landmark site in Savannah, Georgia.
The fundraiser takes place at Old Fort Jackson on Saturday, August 28, 2010 6:00pm There will be a silent auction, children’s activities, cannon firings, and live music, and lots of fun for the whole family. Free admission. Food and concessions available for purchase. For more information contact Old Fort Jackson directly at 912.232.3945
Another fun event coming on August 21, 2010 is the Songwriters Showcase in St. Marys, Georgia. It’s the first year for the event, but if you enjoy live music, it might be something for you. You can read more about the event on our sister site Camden Happening. Here is the link to the post about the Songwriters Showcase in St Marys, Georgia Also in St. Marys in August, there’s Starry Nights. Here is the link to the Starry Nights in St Marys post.
Fourth of July Weekend in Georgia
Fourth of July Events in Georgia 2010
There are lots of fun things to do in coastal Georgia for the Fourth of July weekend. Many cities start their celebration of Independence Day already on the 3rd of July this year. This means that you can actually enjoy fireworks and events all weekend long and make the weekend an extraordinary birthday bash for the country.
SATURDAY JULY 3, 2010
Fireworks Tybee Island Pier
Get an early start for the  Fourth of July weekend and head out to Tybee Island. Here the party starts already on Saturday July 3, 2010, with fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion.
Call 912-786-5444 for more information.
Independence Day Festival, St Marys, Georgia
Please note that this year, St Marys celebrates the 4th of July already on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010. Come visit historic downtown St Marys, GA, for a delightful Independence Day complete with parade and fireworks. Fireworks at dusk. Â For more information call 912.882-4000
Cannons Across the Marsh, Fort King George, Darien
On Saturday- July 3, 2010 from 10am-4pm, Fort King George State Historic Site will be hosting their annual Cannons Across the Marsh celebration in honor of Independence Day. Â Artillery and musket firings will be going on throughout the day. Â Free watermelon and lemonade will be served. Â Also, Boston Butts will be sold at $25 and may be picked up on the 3rd. Â RSVPs for Boston Butts are being accepted now and must be received no later than June 30th. Â Additionally, BBQ sandwiches will be sold during the day on Saturday the 3rd.
Fort King George State Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd. SE, Darien, GA  31305
Call (912) 437-4770 or www.gastateparks.org/fortkinggeorge
Sunday July 4, 2010
Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Brunswick, GA
Come to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick for an Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2010, for the whole family. Â Lots of fun with games, contests, free watermelon and much more. Fireworks at dusk. Downtown Brunswick. Contact 912-265-4032
Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show, St Simons Island, Georgia
This annual 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.
Fireworks July 4.  July 2 – 4, 2010. Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show. Pier Village Parks, St. Simons Island. Pier Village Association. Call 912-262-0628. Fireworks on St Simon’s at 9 pm!
Fourth of July Celebration – Jekyll Island, GA
Jekyll Island is a gorgeous island to visit, so if you have friends and family in town, it might be a great idea to head out to the beach on Jekyll Island. Â Every year Jekyll Island hosts a family-fun party at the Beachdeck . The fireworks finale is said to be one of the best in the area. Click here to read more about the Jekyll Island Fourth of July Extravaganza
For more information call 877-4-JEKYLL
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 read all about Fourth of July events in Savannah
Mardi Gras festivals on the coast of Georgia
Mardi Gras is known for fun and festivities. Mardi Gras traditionally takes place before the fasting season of Lent, its origins go all the way back to the ancient Rome. Many cities continue the tradition today, for example Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, and maybe the most famous celebration of them all takes place in Rio de Janeiro.
But did you know that here on the coast of Georgia, we actually have two festivals of our own. St Marys Mardi Gras has a long tradition, in 2010 it’s the 16th year for the annual festival. Tybee Island is slightly behind, celebrating the 2nd Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras St Marys
The 16th Annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade will showcase festive floats and costumes designed around this year’s theme “Romance Through the Ages.â€Â This is one of the most popular annual festivals in St Marys. Everyone comes downtown to view the Mardi Gras parade and catch beads.
A 10 a.m. parade will kick off the festival and the parade is followed by an action-packed day of entertainment, arts and crafts, and amusements. When the sun goes down , adults can continue to the Mardi Gras Ball. And when I say adults, I mean adults. A new King and Queen are chosen and prizes are awarded for best costumes. Dance music will be provided by the band, “A Touch of Grey”. I warned you, this party is for adults only.
Tickets for the ball are available at the St. Marys Welcome Center and Once Upon a Bookseller in Downtown St. Marys. Beads are also available at the bookstore on days leading up to the festival. For more information, call 912-882-7350 or 912-552-0072.
The Mardi Gras Festival includes a parade and live entertainment on Saturday, February 13th.
For more information, please call St Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau at 912.882.4000 or visit www.stmaryswelcome.com
Mardi Gras Tybee
Tybee Island is celebrating Mardi Gras for the second time this year.
Purple, gold and green flags will dress up Tybee Island for the party. Mardi Gras Tybee kicks off with a Masquerade Ball on Friday, February 12th at 8pm, hosted by Fannies on the Beach. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.
On Saturday February 13th, there will be a Mardi Gras parade at 3pm down Butler Avenue and a street party with music and festivities on Tybrisa Street. Join the fun, listen to authentic Zydeco music featuring Brad Randell and the Zydeco Ballers, All American All Star Dixieland Review and Jeff Beasley Band. The music starts already at noon. Admission to the street party and parade viewing is free.
Tickets for the Fantasy Masquerade Ball can be purchased online at www.mardigrastybee.com
