Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Lowcountry Cajun Fest in Charleston, SC

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Zydeco Music Heats up Lowcountry Cajun Fest coming to James Island Country Park outside Charleston, South Carolina.

The 19th annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival is bringing spice and heat to Charleston on Sunday,  March 28, 2010. Experience a little bit of  Louisiana right here on the coast. The Lowcountry Cajun Fest is a fun filled day packed with live music, entertainment, food, children’s activities and more!

Lowcountry cajun festival james island county park charleston south carolinaCome hungry, and take the opportunity to enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole fare prepared by local and regional chefs. There’s even a crawfish eating contest at 2:30 p.m.

Delicious food is not the only attraction, there’ s also a lot of live music  from renowned Zydeco bands.  Taking the stage at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. will be one of the hottest bands on the Zydeco scene, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners. Promising to deliver hits that will get folks dancing, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners have toured the world specializing in traditional Louisiana Zydeco music. Leroy is a throwback to first-generation Zydeco, and has an encyclopedic repertoire of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, R&B and Country music.

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas will perform at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m. For over 20 years, Nathan and his hard-working band have toured the world bringing their unique brand of authentic Zydeco music to fans around the globe. Uplifting and connected to its place in history, the music of Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Chas is the expression of a remarkable South Louisiana family.

Other festivities include a crafter market and mechanical, inflatable and carnival games for kids. Check www.ccprc.com/cajun for a current entertainment schedule.

Admission is $10. This event is free for ages 12 and under with paying adult.  Call 795-4FUN (4386) or visit website!

lowcountry cajun festival james island county park, charleston, south carolina

YMCA Flowertown Festival in Summerville, SC – 2010

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A fun thing to do in spring is to visit the small town of Summerville, South Carolina, to enjoy blooming azaleas and southern hospitality during the popular Flowertown Festival. The 38th Annual flowertown Festival takes place on March 26 – 28. Every year Summerville celebrates the passing of winter with over 250,000 of its closest friends.

Flowertown Festival Summerville South CarolinaLots and lots of Art!
The popular Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival has been a South Carolina tradition since 1971. More than 200 artisans from across the country come to the Festival to show their skills and sell their art. You’ll find a wide variety of arts and crafts from painting, pottery, glassworking, woodworking, needlework and much, much more!

Taste of the Town
But the three-day event is not only about art. You can also enjoy delicious foods from local restaurants at the Taste of the Town,there is also fun activities and rides for children at the Children’s Jubilee. Now if that isn’t enough to convince you there is also free admission and parking. This festival has consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

The festival is open on Friday and Saturday from 9-5 and on Sunday from 9-4 for more information visit the Flowertown Festival website


2010 Railroad Days Festival in Callahan, Florida

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The two day signature fund raising celebration, 2010 Railroad Days Festival, will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 26th and 27th in and around the historic Victorian Style Callahan train station. The West Nassau Historical Society will debut their new museum lighting system and freshly renovated caboose as part of the various events at this year’s 2010 Railroad Days Festival.

Friday Events
On Friday, March 26, 2010, there will be various food and craft vendors on the grounds starting at 12 noon. Mrs. Kate, a local popular folk singer will perform at 4:30 PM Friday, highlighting an afternoon and evening lineup of live entertainment from the front platform. You can also tour the bright red caboose and see the depot’s new lighting system. The Historical Society’s members have been tirelessly reconstructing the former ACL caboose which in 1967 was converted from a 1940s steel box car. The West Nassau Museum of History’s new lighting system inside the depot was made possible by donations from CSX and Rayonier.

Saturday Events
On Saturday, March 27, 2010, the craft and food vendors will reopen at 10 AM. The Shriners will lead a procession of fire trucks, antiques cars and floats in the annual Railroad Days Parade starting at 11:00 AM. A classic car show hosted by Cochrane’s Collision Center will follow the parade. The town of Callahan will host a kids’ play area on the depot grounds and model and scale trains, steam driven engines, Operation Lifesaver and photo contest entries highlight the exhibits. A welcoming and sponsor appreciation ceremony starts on Saturday at 1 PM followed by live entertainment from 3 PM until 8 PM.

For additional information on the 2010 Railroad Days Festival or on becoming a volunteer, sponsor, or donor on please call John Hendricks with the West Nassau Historical Society at 904-879-3406.

The West Nassau Historical Society is a non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of Western Nassau County’s rich history and to the maintenance and upkeep of the historic Callahan Depot.

St Johns River Celebration Cleanup 2010

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This is the 15th Annual St. Johns River Celebration Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 8 – 11:30 a.m. (for most locations). The event  is Jacksonville’s kick-off event for the Florida Great American Cleanup.  This local effort combines with national and regional volunteer efforts to clean and protect the environment.

Come out and do your part and help collect litter and debris. The clean up will take place in several different locations across the Jacksonville area. At each location site captains will be on hand to register volunteers and hand out trash bags, gloves and tickets.

Your tickets can then be redeemed for refreshments and t-shirts from
noon – 2 p.m. at Metropolitan Park downtown Jacksonville, while supplies last.

Students can receive community service hour certificates.
Scouts may earn badges for two volunteer hours at the cleanup.
While supplies last. Pre-registration is not required.

Volunteers who are under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

To learn more, call Keep Jacksonville Beautiful at (904) 630-3420
or visit www.coj.net

St. Johns River Celebration 2010 Cleanup Sites

Click here to view a map of the 2010 sites

ï‚· Urban
o Warren W. Schell Jr. Memorial Park, 510 W. Sixth St. (32206)
o Henry J. Klutho Park, 635 Third St. (32206)
Parking and sign in at 1200 Blk. Boulevard & 100 Blk. 2nd. Street

ï‚· Arlington/Beaches
o Blue Cypress Park, 4012 University Blvd. N. (32277)
o Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Road (32223)
(Volunteers must check in at park gate by 9:30 a.m. to participate at this site.)
o Helen Cooper Floyd Park (formerly Little Jetties), 3600 S.R. A1A
(32233)

 Riverside
o Yacht Basin Park, 2941 St. Johns Ave. (32205)

 Westside
oTillie Fowler Regional Park, 7000 Roosevelt Blvd. (32244)

ï‚· Southeast
o Hood Landing Boat Ramp, 12925 Hood Landing Road (32223)
o Burnett Park, 3740 Burnett Park Road (32257)
o Goody’s Creek Boat Ramp, 9145 San Jose Blvd. (32257)
o River Oaks Park, 1000 River Oaks Road
o All Wet Sports/Beach Boulevard Boat Ramp, 8508 Beach Blvd.
A personal kayak, canoe or boat is required for this site. Participants use water vessels at their own risk.

ï‚· Southwest
o Azalea Creek/Boone Park, 3700 Park St. (32205)
o Fishweir Creek, 4000 block of St. Johns Avenue
o Ringhaver Park, 5198 118th St. (32244)
o Wayne B. Stevens Boat Ramp, 4555 Ortega Farms Blvd. (32210)

ï‚· Northeast
o Rolliston Park, 7505 Rolliston Road (32208)
o Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Hecksher Drive (32226)

ï‚· Northwest
o Harborview Boat Ramp, (north side Ribault River) 4100 Harborview Drive (32208)
o T. K. Stokes Boat Ramp, 2120 Riverview St. (32208)
o Henry L. Brown Kooker Park, 1400 East 20th Street (32206)
o Hollybrook Park, 2805 McCoys Creek Blvd. (32254) (volunteers sign in at basketball court)

ï‚· North
o Oceanway Community Center and Park, 12215 Sago Ave. (32218)
exception: cleanup 9-11am
o North Shore Park, 7901 Pearl St. (32208)

St Patrick’s Day Party 2010 – Myrtle Beach

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This year we celebrate St Patrick’s Day early. The “real” day isn’t until March 17th, but that doesn’t stop Myrtle Beach. St Patrick’s Day celebration takes place on Saturday March 13, 2010.

The event takes place in downtown Myrtle Beach on Ocean Boulevard, between 8th Ave and 11th Ave). Click here to see the map of the event area.

The event takes place on March 13, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Admission is free.

You can enjoy authentic Irish food and beverages. Live Music on stage with Cracker, Drivin’N’Cryin’, The Blue Dogs, Mark Bryan (from Hootie & The Blowfish w. special guests), Pamalee, Jonas Sees Colors, Lee Travis & The Bounty Hunters, Root Soul Project. Street Performers: Myrtle Beach Pipe and Drum Corps

For more information visit www.mbdowntownstpats.com