Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

India Fest 2010 – Charleston, SC

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India Fest 2010 to celebrate and share the cultural heritage of India. The event will take place on Sunday, October 17 at Marion Square, Charleston, SC, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. This free festival is open to all who are interested in Indian food, arts and culture.

Food vendors will sell authentic Indian food, clothing, jewelry and handmade crafts. Artists will paint henna “temporary tattoos” on visitors’ hands. Known as “Mehndi” the henna decoration is traditionally applied for special occasions like weddings and festivals.

Also, demonstrations of wrapping the intricate folds of the traditional sari will take place. The beautiful strips of sari cloth, ranging from four to nine meters, is wrapped around the body in various styles, according to respective regions of the country.

In addition a cultural program of songs and dances (classical, semi-classical and Bollywood style) will add to the fun, along with demonstrations of Jivamukti yoga. Jivamukti means “liberation while living.” This modern style of yoga emerged in 1984 from one of New York City’s best-known yoga studios.

The festival is hosted by The India Association of Greater Charleston (IAGC).
For more information please contact 843.881.4900.

Other Charleston Events:
Taste of Charleston
Latest episode of our weekly podcast

Things to do in South Carolina – October 2010

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There is a lot to do in South Carolina during the month of October. Just take a look at some of the events we have come up with. (Also, don’t forget to check out our weekly video Podcast with the October Events episode)

First Friday on Broad

October 1, 2010

First Friday on Broad in Charleston

On the first Friday of each month for “First Fridays on Broad” and enjoy fine art and refreshments in the boutiques, fine art galleries, and bodegas on Historic Broad Street in Charleston, South Carolina.  More information here – First Friday on Broad

Beaufort Shrimp Festival – Beaufort, SC

October 1 – 2, 2010
This shrimp festival takes place at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in historic Beaufort, South Carolina. There’s a lot going on for the whole family at this event – more details on our page for Beaufort Shrimp Festival.

Latin American Festival – Charleston, SC

October 3, 2010
Spice things up with a Latin American Festival in Wannamaker County Park. This popular festival has been going on for 19 years now. Read more about the Latin American Festival here.

Taste of Charleston

Taste of Charleston

October 8 – 10, 2010
This is one of most popular festivals in Charleston every year with lots of events around town. Check out the culinary village in Marion Square – but there’s a lot more going on. Read all about the event on our page for Taste of Charleston.

Little River Shrimp Festival

October 9 -10, 2010
Little River in South Carolina puts up a big shrimp festival every year with fun for the whole family. Find out more on the page for Little River Shrimp Festival

Art in the Park – Myrtle Beach, SC

October 9, 2010
This event takes place several times throughout the year. Come to Chapin Park to take a look at fascinating art objects and to mingle. More details – Art in the Park, Myrtle Beach

Shaggin' on the cooper
Bring your dancing shoes!

Shaggin’ on the Cooper – Mt Pleasant, SC

October 9, 2010
If you can’t make it on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars” you can without doubt make it to Mt Pleasant pier and dance under the stars. The Coopertones are playing. More information here for Shaggin’ on the Cooper

Oktoberfest – Myrtle Beach, SC
October 9, 2010

The Oceanfront Merchants Association and the City of Myrtle Beach will sponsor Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 9, on Ocean Boulevard, from Eighth Avenue North to Mr. Joe White Avenue.  Admission is free!  The festival begins at noon and concludes with a firework show at 10:35 p.m.  Ocean Boulevard will showcase both food and art vendors.

Moonlight Mixer – Folly Beach, SC

October 15, 2010
Enjoy the mild evenings on the pier in Folly Beach where you can dance the night away and listen to the calming sounds of the ocean. This is the last mixer for the season. Read more about the Moonlight Mixer here.

Look Dad!

Children’s Day Festival – Mt Pleasant, SC

October 17, 2010
This event is for the kids and here you will find anything that a child would want from a festival including climbing wall, inflatables, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, clowns and much, much more. Get the scoop here. Children’s Day Festival

Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival

October 17 – 24, 2010
Many cities on the coast holds seafood festivals in the fall, but Bluffton combines seafood with another favorite type of festival – the arts festival. At this event you can get a little bit of both. Read more here – Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival.

Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens – Beaufort, SC

October 22 – 24, 2010
During this event you get the opportunity to tour private homes and plantations in the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District and surrounding Lowcountry. Find out more here – Beaufort Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens

Hilton Head Concourse d’Elegance & Motoring Festival – Hilton Head Island, SC

October 29 – November 7, 2010
If you like vintage cars, or cars in general, this is a festival you don’t want to miss. The event consists of several events in both Hilton Head and Savannah, GA. You can find more information on our page for Hilton Head Concourse d’Elegance

Wait… There is more to read…

Charleston Farmers Market
Art in the Park – Myrtle Beach, SC
The Latest Weekly Podcast Episode

Shrimp Festivals Fall 2010 – Coastal Companion Podcast

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In this episode Joe talks about one of his favorite things – food. Here on the coast seafood is popular, and most people enjoy shrimp.  Maybe that’s why we have a lot of shrimp festivals in our area.

Here is the list of events mentioned in the show:

Rock Shrimp Festival, St Marys, GA

Shrimp & Grits Festival, Jekyll Island, GA

Seafood, Jazz & Brew Fest, Hilton Head Island, SC

Little River Shrimp & Jazz Festival, SC

Bluffton Art & Seafood Festival, SC

Beaufort Shrimp Festival, SC

Free Admission to National Parks – Fall 2010

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Visit one of our national parks on September 25, 2010 or November 11, 2010, without paying admission. The National Park Service offers fee free days every year, and these are the two dates for the fall. Pack a picnic and take family and friends to a state park for a visit. In our area you could for for example visit the Castillo de San Marco or Fort Pulaski.

  • September 25, 2010 – Public Lands Day
  • November 11, 2010 – Veterans Day

Below is a complete list of participating National Parks in our area:

Fort Pulaski
Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia Department of Economic Development

GEORGIA

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island.You still have to pay for the ferry boat ride to the island. Click here to visit the website
Visitor Information: (912) 882-4336 ext. 254

Fort Frederica National Monument, St Simons Island, GA
Spanish and British forces clashed on St. Simons Island in 1792. Fort Frederica’s troops defeated the Spanish troops. Georgia remained a British colony.
Visitor Information: (912) 638-3639
Click here to visit the website

Fort Pulaski National Monument
The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 featured the first significant use of rifled cannons in combat. The fort surrendered, which was a turning point, signaling the end of masonry fortifications.
Visitor Information: (912) 786-5787
Click here to visit the website

SOUTH CAROLINA

Fort Moultrie National Monument – Charleston, SC
The National Park Service’s fee-free weekends apply to Fort Moultrie, a unit of Fort Sumter National Monument. The site is located on Sullivan’s Island and is accessible by car. Fort Sumter is always free – but there is a fee for the ferry boat ride to the fort.
Click here for more information about Fort Sumter

FLORIDA
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – St. Augustine, FL
The Castillo was constructed to defend Spain’s claims in the New World. It was never defeated in battle. The Castillo witness to over 330 years of history and culture and is an impressive place to visit.
Visitor Information: (904) 829-6506
Click here to visit the website.

Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia
Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia

Things to do in South Carolina – September 2010

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Another Labor Day weekend has passed, but September has a lot more to offer in South Carolina. It’s a great time of year to spend time outdoors, to visit festivals or hang out with friends. This is also the month when the big arts event of the year kicks off in Charleston, yes, it’s time for the MOJA Arts festival.

Charleston Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week in Charleston takes place September 8-19, 2010, so it’s actually a little bit more than just your regular restaurant week event. Charleston has become a culinary mecca, so make sure to take advantage of the fixed price special during this event. Go here to read more about Charleston Restaurant week

Seafood, Jazz & Brew – Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island has combined three of our favorite things – seafood, jazz and brew – into one extraordinary event. This event takes place on September 13 – 18, 2010. Get more details on our special events page for Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival.

Scottish Game & Highland Gathering
Come to Charleston to celebrate Scottish heritage and culture in this annual festival taking place on September 19, 2010. The festival offers everything from heavy athletics, to food and dancing.
Click here to read more about the Scottish Festival in Charleston.

Shaggin’ on the Cooper
Lowcountry radio personality Jim Bowers will keep your feet moving with the hottest oldies and beach music around on September 17, 2010.

Irish Italian Festival
North Myrtle Beach has created an unusual combination with this festival, but despite that this is a popular event drawing a crowd. This year the festival takes place on September 25, 2010.

Museum Mile Weekend
On September 25 – 26, 2010, you can get a special deal during the Museum Mile Weekend. You can purchase a special pass for this weekend which allows you to visit as many of the participating museums your feet can handle. Read all about how it works here – Museum Mile Weekend.
If you are two people and can only handle one museum visit, you can get free admission through the Smithsonian Museum Day to a few museums. Just check out the list of participating venues here.

Free Admission to National Parks
You guessed it. The free day is of course also on September 25, 2010.  So unless, you can fly like superman between venues, it looks like you will have to choose between a Museum Day or a National Park Day.  Here is the link to the Free Admission to National Parks for more info.

Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival
Thbis popular annual arts & crafts festival returns to Huntington Beach State Park on September 24 – 26, 2010 near Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Here some of the best artisans around gather for a festival in a beautiful setting.

Read more about the festival on our special events page for the arts & crafts festival.

MOJA Arts Festival – Charleston, SC
This month the big arts festival in Charleston begins. MOJA Arts Festival takes place September 23 – October 3, 2010.

Get your tickets now and check out the program.

Read more about South Carolina:

Fall Festivals and Events in South Carolina

Jazz Festivals on the Coast

Taste of Charleston

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