Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

The Charleston Boat Show to be held January 23-25, 2009

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The 29th annual Charleston Boat Show will be held January 23-25, 2009 at the North Charleston Convention Center.

the-charleston-boat-showThis event is the Lowcountry’s biggest boat show and sale featuring the latest models, many offered at discount prices. The region’s leading dealers will be on-site to showcase a multitude of powerboats including: sport cruisers, motor and express yachts, sport fishing boats, center console fishing boats, bass boats, bow riders, deck and aluminum boats, ski and pontoon boats, runabouts, bay boats, shallow water flat skiffs and family cruisers.

Exhibitors will feature an extensive assortment of the latest in marine and fishing products including: fishing tackle and accessories, marine electronics, boat lifts, dock systems, and marine finance and insurance and nautical artwork.

This year’s Show is sure to please as it presents some exciting features including:

  • Boaters “Wine Down” during the new free wine tasting event held on the exhibit floor from 5pm-7pm Friday and Saturday evenings
  • The Kids’ Fishing Clinic presented by Captain Don Dingman of TV’s “Hook the Future.” This educational experience is taught by marine wildlife experts, and will focus on teaching children fishing ethics as well as how to select the right lures and tackle, tie knots and cast nets.. For the adult fishing enthusiasts there will be educational seminars conducted by Captain Dingman as well as local fishing captains. These seminars will cover various fishing related topics and are scheduled Saturday and Sunday of the Show
  • Kids’ Painting Classes presented byYellowfin Gallery, Jump Castle and Face Painting
  • Fishing Simulator presented by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics Trailer presented by Raymarine
  • Miami Coast Guard Boating Safety Trailer
  • Great selection of food from Lowcountry Boils including Frogmore Stew, pulled pork sandwiches, boiled peanuts and more.

The Charleston Boat Show is hosted by the Tri County Marine Trade Association. Promotional Partners include WEZL 103.5, WCBD TV-2, and Tidelines. The Show is produced by JBM & Associates. Click here to view the events calendar listing on Coastal Companion.

Show Hours: Friday, January 23: noon-7pm, Saturday: January 25: 10am-7pm; Sunday, January 26: 11am-6pm
Tickets: $9 adults; Kids 12 and under- FREE; $5 after 5pm
Parking: FREE

www.TheCharlestonBoatShow.com

Regatta of Lights in St Augustine in December

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ST. AUGUSTINE (Fla.) Dec. 1– The historic waters of Matanzas Bay will sparkle in the glow of a holiday regatta of boats decked out in their seasonal finery when the Regatta of Lights returns to St. Augustine on Saturday, December 13.

Hosted by the St. Augustine Yacht Club, the 28th annual event will feature a nighttime parade of sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats and recreational boats aglitter with brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical. Boat owners will try to out-dazzle the competition in a spirited contest featuring prizes in a variety of categories featuring boats from 15 to 85 feet in length.

The regatta gets underway at 6 p.m. as the boats enter Matanzas Bay, pass the Castillo de San Marcos and sail single file for the Bridge of Lions. The regatta will then circle the bay to allow spectators and regatta judges to appreciate the illuminated ingenuity of each contestant.

For more information, including details on how to enter a boat in the regatta, call 904.824.9725 or go to www.sayc2000.com .

The Holiday Regatta of Lights is supported in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. For the latest on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website www.Getaway4Florida.com or call 1.800.653.2489.

28th Annual Charleston Parade of Boats

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Many cities on the coast have boat parades to celebrate the holiday season, and Charleston joins this weekend. Get on board with a traditional Lowcountry holiday celebration and watch this display of lighted and festive boats proceed through the Charleston Harbor. The event culminates with a magnificent fireworks display.

The parade of boats starts along Mt. Pleasant at around five pm. Viewing from the peninsula begins at 6:30pm. Fireworks will take place around 6:45pm. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront. For more information, call 843-724-7305.
Saturday, December 6: 5pm-8pm

Boat Parade on the Yorktown Flight Deck – Charleston, SC

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Season's ColorsEnjoy the “best seat in the house” for the Charleston Harbor Boat Parade. Patriots Point is hosting a fun-filled family night with sweets & treats, toasty beverages, Reindeer games, face painting, pictures with Santa and the Polar Express down the pier. You’ll never guess how Santa will arrive to join us on the flight deck!

Contact Laura Langston, Event Development Coordinator (881-5984) for reservations and further information or visit our website www.patriotspoint.org Tickets are $15.00 per person ($12.50 each for Patriots Point members).

The Thanksgiving Dinner for Cruisers – St Marys, GA

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St MarysIf you are a cruiser and going south for the winter- St. Marys is a stopping place for boaters from all over the world. Each cruiser brings a covered dish, local boaters provide the turkey and ham for delicious food and fun filled Thanksgiving. This is the fifth annual Thanksgiving Celebration for boaters wanting to share their cruising stories and meet new people in our friendly historic waterfront town.