Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Sun Fun Festival 2009 – Myrtle Beach, Sc

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For almost 60 years, people have come to the Grand Strand for the food and the festivities at the Sun Fun Festival. This year the event includes with the Miss Sun Fun USA/Teen USA pageants, celebrity meet-and-greets, beach games, sporting events, a concert featuring Lifehouse, a kids’ fair and much more. Visit South Carolina for the Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach, June 4th though 8th, 2009.

June 5 – 7
H2X Racing’s 2009 Tour presented by Sea-Doo, WizzardX Media and Res-Q Energy Drink, beachfront between Damon’s Grill (2985 S. Ocean Blvd.) and Springmaid Beach Resort (3200 S. Ocean Blvd.), June 5-7 – Personal watercraft racing as part of the American Power Boat Association national tour. New this year, APBA national champion and professional racer Rob Greenwald will teach a beginner racing school. Competition free to spectators.

June 5
Start the fun on Friday with live entertainment. Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers, please) and enjoy free live entertainment. Food vendors will be open Friday – so come hungry.

June 6
Celebrity Meet-and-Greets with recording artist Blake Lewis of “American Idol” fame (season 6 runner-up). Blake will be performing live and you can also meet-and-greets with Lewis, Jason Earles of “Hannah Montana” and Robert Newman of “Guiding Light.” This is a free event.

Concert Featuring Lifehouse, June 6 –Free.
H2X Racing Demonstrations on the Lake, June 6 – Free.
Kids Zone Games, June 6 – inflatable rides, games and more. Free.

Miss Sun Fun festival pageant

2010 Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen Pageant, Myrtle Beach High School, June 6 – A Myrtle Beach tradition, the pageants began in 1960 to symbolize one of the largest annual festivals in the Carolinas. Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen applications are being accepted until May 1. Admission $15.

Sun Fun Beach Run, North Myrtle Beach, June 6 – Take your pick of a 5K run/walk or a 1-mile fun run sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and city of North Myrtle Beach in cooperation with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and North Myrtle Beach Recreation Department. Free for spectators. Click here for registration information.

Sun Fun Festival Fireworks Extravaganza, June 6 – Free.

Click here for more details about the Sun Fun Festival 2009 in Myrtle Beach.

The Players Downtown Experience – Jacksonville, Florida

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As you know, it’s nothing but golf – golf – golf – this week and as part of the upcoming PLAYERS Championship, THE PLAYERS Downtown Experience returns for the third time to Downtown Jacksonville on Tuesday, May 5, through Sunday, May 10.

Tuesday
On Tuesday, May 5, you can visit the beautiful Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens for free from 4-9 p.m. sponsored by THE PLAYERS.

Wednesday
On Wednesday, May 6, the celebration continues at The Jacksonville Landing in conjunction with the First Wednesday Art Walk. The party begins at 5:30 p.m. Golf fans can enjoy highlights of THE PLAYERS on the big Jumbotron in the courtyard. There is also live music by Teddy Washington on the main stage. For those of you who want to play, how about trying out the “Nine Hole Challenge” (a nine-hole putting experience for fans of all ages) in the center Courtyard.

Besides participating in the art walk, you’ll also have the opportunity to actively participate and create art during Hospital Art PaintFest. At this event everyone is invited to help paint a series of murals that will be donated to a local hospital. No experience is necessary. The PaintFest will take place in the center Courtyard area and will be open to the public from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Golf

Thursday – Friday
The Golf Channel’s live coverage will be shown on the Jumbotron throughout the day on Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8. The fun “Nine Hole Challenge” is open from 5-9 p.m. both days, and while you’re playing you can enjoy live music on the main stage.

Saturday
On Saturday, May 9, it’s all about the family from 4 – 8 pm at the Landing. Enjoy the “Nine Hole Challenge,” Jax4Kids.com activities with exciting activities such as SNAG Golf, face painting and bounce house, “You Made the Cover,” and Wii Games. An expo will also be set up by PGA TOUR Charities. Live music begins with Park Street from 4-8 p.m., followed by Freeze Frame from 9-2 a.m.

Sunday
NBC Sports’ coverage of THE PLAYERS will air live on on the Jumbotron on Sunday, May 10, and Gypsy Highway will play on the Courtyard main stage from 5-9 p.m.

Cooper River Bridge Run 2009 Charleston, SC

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Running across the bridge must be an extraordinary experience, and this is exactly what you can do if you participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston on April 4th, 2009. The popular race goes across the bridge and further. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is 2.5 miles long and 200 feet high . The slope is 4%. The towers stand 550 feet tall. The bridge offers an amazing view of Charleston and surrounding areas.

This is definitely one of the big sporting events in Charleston during the year. Thousands of runners participate in this well-known race.
Take a look at the video below for more information.

For more information about the race, visit www.Bridgerun.com

17th Annual Lighthouse Festival & Michelob Ultra 5K 2009 – St Augustine, FL

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St Augustine has one of the prettiest lighthouses on the coast. If you haven’t visited it yet, here is your chance. On Saturday, March 21, it’s time again for the annual Lighthouse Festival. During the festival St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum will offer free admission to the tower, the museum and the grounds during the festival.

The festival has lots of fun activities for both kids and adults. As always there will be special games and crafts for children, great food, pony rides, and archaeological activities. Children can even buy, build and sail their own model boat in the pond.

Radio Disney AM 600 and the Disney Fun Squad Cast will broadcast live from 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Local entertainers will perform throughout the day including live music from Josh n’ Lou.

The Michelob Ultra 5K Run/Walk and the Shepard & Shepard Fun Run will also be held during Lighthouse Festival courtesy of the Junior Service League of St. Augustine. The 5K Run begins at 4:30 p.m. and the Fun Run begins at 5 p.m.; both races will start and finish in front of the lawn of the keepers’ house. Registrater in advance by visiting the Junior Service League of St. Augustine’s website www.jslofstaugustine.org, or participants on the day of the race from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Last year about 8,000 visitors came to the lighthouse for the festival throughout the day. Free parking will be available at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre (which is probably your best bet for parking) and there is a shuttle that will take you from there to the festival. Paid event parking will also be available at the Lighthouse & Museum.

This festival takes place on Saturday March 21st from 11 am – 6 pm.

For more information call (904) 829-0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com

Can-Am Days in Myrtle Beach 2009

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In Myrtle Beach this weekend, the big Can-Am Days Event kicks off. This festival is basically “Snow Bird Spring Break” in South Carolina and comes with a huge line-up of fun events for the family.

The event usually draws about 100,000 Canadian visitors and snowbirds from northern states to South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce introduced Canada Days back in 1961 to attract Canadians during their spring break. The name was later changed to Canadian-American Days. This festival is considered to be the first international festival organized in the state of South Carolina.

From March 14-22, 2009, the Myrtle Beach area rolls out the red carpet to welcome Canadian and American visitors with a line-up of fun events, giveaways, discounts and concerts taking place throughout the Grand Strand.

“Can-Am Days celebrates our snowbird visitors, who escape the cold and snow for the beautiful climate and wealth of attractions of the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Many of these visitors have been traveling to our destination for decades, and we strive to create new memories for each generation through our festivals.”

“This year we welcome RBC Bank as presenting sponsor,” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events. “RBC Bank has added excitement to Can-Am Days by introducing the Battle at the Beach golf tournament. The timing of the tournament coincides perfectly with the much-anticipated unveiling of the new Pine Lakes golf course.” The Pine Lakes golf course has been closed for nearly two years for renovation and redesign and will reopen March 14.

The 48th Annual Canadian-American Days will offer a variety of events. Highlights include:

* 26th Annual National Shag Dance Championships, March 12-14 – This competition is especially fitting for the Myrtle Beach area, where the shag dance originated. The event showcases amateur and professional division dancers with more than 50 couples are expected to compete for the national title. Studebaker’s, Myrtle Beach. Admission $15-$25.
* 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Seaforth All Girls Marching Band Concert, March 14 – The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band of Ontario has been delighting audiences near and far with popular show tunes and other nontraditional marching music for more than 60 years. The band, a group of 50 to 60 young women, range in age from 11 to 19. Surfside United Methodist Church, Surfside Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 25 at the Surfside Beach Town Hall.
* 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, March 15 –The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. Myrtle Beach Community Church, Myrtle Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 26 at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
* 2009 RBC Bank Canadian-American Days Kickoff Celebration Expo, March 16 – This expo officially kicks off Can-Am Days and features exhibitors, musical entertainment, prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach. Free to the public.
* Out of Winter Into Spring: The Courage to Live Undivided, March 17-19 – Presented by Still Learning Inc., this retreat at the beach will renew the heart and spirit. Sea View Inn, Pawleys Island. Space is limited. $889 per person. Canadian currency accepted.
* 15th Annual South Strand Wildlife and History Day, March 18 – Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, exhibits and activities including birds of prey and reptile demonstrations and sea turtle and beachcombing programs. The Taste of Murrells Inlet, a culinary extension of the event, will boast specialties from some of the finest restaurants in the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. Event and park admission are free. Cost for food.
* 2009 Battle at the Beach, March 19 – Golfers are invited to participate in the first annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup, four-person scramble format. The tournament will take place at the just-renovated Pine Lakes golf course, known as “the Granddaddy.” Prizes will be awarded. All tournament profits will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven. Presented by RBC Bank and sponsored by Damon’s Grill, Scatori’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant and Divine Dining Group. Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtle Beach. Fee $100 per person, $350 per foursome.
* For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit CanAmDays.com for the most current information and event times.