Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

South Carolina Aquarium Celebrates 10 Years

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This weekend, May 14 – 16, 2010,  you can help celebrate the Aquarium’s 10-year birthday with fun, fish and feedings.  Enjoy special dive shows, unique feedings, animal enrichment programs, a mascot parade, crafts and more! Enjoy special celebratory programs at the:10s of each hour.   Check out the newest addition to the Aquarium, a rare albino alligator and watch as this jaw-dropping reptile is fed breakfast at the Gator Feeding Program; catch a glimpse of a fishy cake in the Great Ocean Tank at the ‘Hang 10 with the Divers’ dive shows; watch as one of the Magellanic penguins goes Picasso with Penguin Art, and participate in an Aquarium-wide Mascot Parade including four Aquarium mascots, educators, volunteers and the crowd-pleasing Waddle Wagon.   For a limited-time only, make sure to check out the new historical timeline display which takes you through the years of the Aquarium detailing major events, animal acquisitions, accomplishments and more.

Aquarium guests will not want to miss these Birthday Celebration Programs:

Especially for the early birds!
Visitors can join educators first thing in the morning for a favorite returning program, Harbor Happenings at 9:10 a.m. Enjoy complimentary coffee by our friends from Charleston Coffee Roasters as you hear more about the creatures that swim and play in the harbor.

Happy Birthday Otters!
A species that has been around since the Aquarium opened, watch as the otters are given a life-size birthday cake at 10:10 a.m.! Enjoy seeing them climb and play in this interactive wooden cake during an activity that helps enrich their daily lives.

It’s our party and we will put cake in the tank if we want to!
Join educators and staff for a very special Interactive Dive Show, ‘Hang Ten with the Divers,’ at 11:10 a.m., where guests will participate in a 10-year game show and watch what happens when you put Cake in the Tank!

Alligator Breakfast
Watch as the newest addition to the Aquarium, a rare, one of 50 in the world, albino alligator is fed breakfast! A jaw-dropping experience for the whole family, don’t miss this exclusive, never-before-seen-by-the-public Gator Feeding at 12:10 p.m.

Call that penguin Picasso!
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind activity at 1:10 p.m.: Penguin Art. An activity known as animal enrichment, watch as one of our Magellanic penguins creates its own artwork with paint on canvas!

Gator and Penguin and Otter, Oh My!
Join in as Aquarium staff, volunteers, the four Aquarium mascots, and one of our Magellanic penguins come together for a Birthday Mascot Parade through the Great Hall at 2:10 p.m. Afterwards, get your picture taken with the mascots and watch as the penguins of Penguin Planet are fed their afternoon snack.
It’s our party and we will put cake in the tank if we want to! Join educators and staff for a very special Interactive Dive Show, ‘Hang Ten with the Divers,’ at 3:10 p.m., where guests will participate in a 10-year game show and watch what happens when you put Cake in the Tank!
It’s been ten turtle-rific years! Join us at 4:10 p.m. for an exclusive Sea Turtle Rescue Program show with a live turtle. Learn more about the treatments and therapies used to rehabilitate the sick and injured sea turtles and how you can help all endangered sea turtle species.

Birthday bliss and festive activities abound for guests of all ages with a weekend focused on celebrating our guests, members and community. Swim on over to the Aquarium for some fun May 14 – May 16, 2010. For more information, visit scaquarium.org or call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Turtle Crawl and Nest Fest on Jekyll Island, Georgia

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Every year the sea turtles return to our beaches to lay eggs. The season lasts from May – late August. Turtle Crawl May 10 – May 15, 2010, is a week-long event that celebrates the sea turtles and the beginning of the nesting season while raising awareness and funds for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

Nest Fest Beach Fest –  Jekyll Island Beach Deck
Nest Fest takes place on Saturday May 15th, 2010, from noon to 4 p.m. at the beach deck on Jekyll Island, GA. During Nest Fest  can learn more about the fascinating sea turtles, their habitat, and other creatures that make their home along the Georgia coast.  Kids will enjoy crafts, games and activities including the always popular Kids Turtle Crawl beach races.

There might even be a release of a rehabilitated sea turtle at the event.

The Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon

Even if you’re not participating, you might enjoy watching the exciting competition consisting of an open water swim, biking and ending with a run.

The Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon:

  • Full Triathlon – 1.5 Mile Swim, 40k Bike, and 10k Run
  • Sprint Triathlon – 600 Yard Swim, 20K Bike, and 5K Run

& 5K Fun Run/Walk.
Register on www.gamultisports.com!
A portion of the proceeds benefits the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

turtle crawl and nest fest jekyll island, georgia

SCHEDULE FOR TURTLE CRAWL EVENTS DURING THE WEEK

Monday May 10th  – 5:30 pm – 7pm: An Evening with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Meet Dr. Terry Norton, Director of Veterinary Services at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, as he discusses the Center’s accomplishments over the past year and gives updates on patients that were rehabilitated and released. After, enjoy mingling with the Georgia Sea Turtle Staff on the front lawn. Cash bar and dessert reception available. Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Free  with Paid Admission to the Center. Reservations recommended. To register for An Evening at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, please call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Wednesday May 12th – 5pm – 8pm: The Georgia Sea Turtle Center at Chic-Fil-A on St. Simons Island

Thursday May 13th – 7pm – 9pm: Movie Night
This year’s movie – A Shark Tale. Popcorn and bottled water provided. Free. Reservations Required. To register for Movie Night, please call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Friday May 14th – 6 pm – 8 pm: Pasta Dinner with Scute (register and pay in advance)
Join your favorite Sea Turtle, Scute, for a pasta dinner before the Turtle Crawl Triathlon the next morning. After, explore the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, open late for this special occasion.  $15 per person ages 3 and older, 3 and younger Free. Reservations Required. To register for this event, call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Saturday May 15th – 12 Noon – 4 pm: Nest Fest Beach Fest (FREE!)

For more information call 1-877-JEKYLL or visit www.jekyllisland.com

Beach Bum Parade 2010 – Tybee Island, Georgia

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Tybee Island Beach Bum parade is not your ordinary parade. This one is unique and special. The parade itself really understands how to celebrate the beginning of summer and is something something locals and maybe especially the younger crowd long for every year. Why? It’s simple. It’s all about fun and play.

Tybee Island Beach Bum parades is like most others consisting of floats pulled behind cars and trucks. The difference is that on Tybee this is a playful water-play event for all ages between floats and spectators lined up along Butler Avenue. Spectators arm themselves with bucket, squirt guns and other water spraying weapons. This is your chance to get wet before you even set foot on the beach!

Tybee Island is located just outside Savannah, Georgia. The parade takes place on May 21, 2010 and starts at 6 p.m.

For more information call (800) 868-2322 or click here to visit the website

World of Nations Celebration – Jacksonville, Fl

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Have you ever dreamed of traveling to far away countries and exotic places? If you happen to be in Jacksonville in the spring time, you can become a globetrotter without needing a passport or a plane ticket. Pack your bags and bring your family, friends and neighbors to Metropolitan Park for an exciting adventure around the world.

During the 18th annual World of Nations Celebration, held April 29 – May 2, 2010, Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from throughout the world. With more than 30 countries represented, the festival provides a unique look into cultures from across the globe.

The City of Jacksonville and the event organizers will bring the world to you showcasing sights, sounds, and tastes of different nations within your reach. Embark on an exciting journey, traveling throughout the park where travelers may see nations and regions such as Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Haiti, India, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain,Taiwan, Turkey, U.S.A., Venezuela and Vietnam.

Other happenings during the weekend:

Naturalization Ceremony
You can witness the commemorative ceremony when people are sworn in as United States citizens.

Parade of Flags
The inspirational Parade of Flag takes place on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Kids of different nationalities dressed in traditional clothing from different countries carry their native flags in the parade.

World of Entertainment
Come to the festival and experience talents from many different countries, see folk dance, listen to music and more.

Passport to the World
To get you and your kids feel like real world travelers, make sure to pick up your official passport to the world. Each country will stamp your passport during your exploration and at the end of the day, you can turn in your passports at the booth near the main entrance for a chance to win prizes.

USA Pavilion – Going Green!
Learn how you can activly participate to help the environment at the 2010 USA Pavilion.

Hours
Thursday, April 29
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registered Field Trips only)
Friday, April 30
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registered Field Trips only)
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. International Party
Saturday, May 1: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 2: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Admission:
One-Day Ticket to the World: $5.00
Two-Day Pass: $8.00
International Party: FREE!
(Friday, April 30 from 5-9 p.m.)
Children Three & Under: FREE
Visit www.coj.net or call (904) 630-3690 for more information.

Myrtle Beach Family Fitness Festival 2010

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Myrtle Beach fitness festival and fun runThis is the first year for Myrtle Beach Family Fitness Festival & Fun Run. The event is scheduled for April 30-May 2, 2010 in Myrtle Beach, SC. The focus point for the festival is The Market Common and the area will feature fitness activities, vendors, live entertainment featuring national recording artists playing children’s music and much more.

Some of the events include a Diaper Derby, Chalk Art Walk Competition, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Runs. All the events benefit the Childrens’ Museum of South Carolina.

Buy a wristband and save. The wristband is $5 and gives you free access to the inflatables at Market Commons all day – it also gives you free entry to the Children’s Museum of South Carolina and other rebates. Click here to buy your wristbands now.