Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Events in November – Amelia Island, Florida

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Upcoming events on Amelia Island include:


November 20, 2008
2008 Beaujolais Nouveau
On November 20, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will celebrate the arrival of the 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau with a lavish fete in the Ritz-Carlton ballroom. An annual tradition since 1991, the event has featured the arrival of the world-famous wine by parachute, pirate ship, and Mercedes. More than 500 guests will enjoy the elegant affair, featuring art, wine and abundant hors d’oeuvres in a traditional French bistro setting. For ticket information for this extravagant event, please call (904) 277-1028.

November 22, 2008
Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association Holiday Cookie Tour
Looking for a new cookie recipe? Let Fernandina’s “pro” bakers share a recipe and a taste of their signature baked goods during the annual Holiday Cookie Tour. Enjoy a holiday treat and a walk through the common area of seven of Amelia’s beautiful inn’s, all decked out in holiday attire covering Thanksgiving through Christmas. Held from 1 – 5 p.m., the tour will include admission to the Addison on Amelia, Amelia Island Williams House, Ash Street Inn, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fairbanks House, Florida House Inn, and Hoyt House. Tickets are $20 each and are available at any of the seven inns, the Visitor’s Depot on Centre Street, and the Chamber of Commerce Gateway Office. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandinns.com.

November 26, 2008
christmasAnnual Christmas Tree Lighting and Character Dinner
At 5:30 p.m., the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will hold their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, complete with refreshments, music and, of course, a visit from Santa. The celebration will be followed by a Holiday Character Dinner at 6:30 p.m., where the family can dine with Santa, elves, reindeer and other holiday characters. Admission to the Character dinner is $49 for adults and $25 for children 3-12. The tree lighting is free and open to the public. For event reservations and information, please call (904) 277-1028.

November 28, 2008
Annual Pajama Party Sale & Contest
Snuggling into the holiday shopping season in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, the Annual Pajama Party Sale & Contest on Centre Street will begin at 8 a.m. Held the Friday after Thanksgiving, shoppers can enjoy free contest registration until 11 a.m., giving them plenty of time to slip into their footed pajamas, bunny slippers, and other assorted sleepwear. Pajama clad shoppers enjoy special deals and discounts, along with fresh juice, coffee and pastries to fuel their shopping spirit. Shoppers entering the contest are eligible for “Best Dressed Individual Shopper in Pajamas” and “Best Dressed Shopping Group in Pajamas.” For more information, contact Sandy Price at (904) 261-9504.

November 28, 2008
Annual Holiday Light Celebration
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Amelia Island Plantation will light up the holiday season with thousands of twinkling white lights. From 6 to 9 p.m., visit The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation for an enjoyable evening of live entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, and horse and carriage rides. And don’t forget to get your picture with Santa. For more information, go to www.aipfl.com/Calendar_of_Events_Shops.htm, or contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202.

November 29
Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
christmasThe City of Fernandina Beach and Historic Fernandina Business Association will host the official City of Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Held in front of the old train depot at the foot of Centre Street, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive early, at 3 p.m., to meet and be available to take pictures with the kids of the community. Music by area choirs and bands will also take place in the downtown business district from 3 to 6 p.m. at various locations. Santa will return each Saturday in December, allowing parents a picture perfect opportunity. For more information, contact Melba Whitaker at 904-261-3635 or access the Calendar of Events at www.downtownfernandina.com.

November 29, 2008
Holiday Carnival
From 4 to 7 p.m., Amelia Island Plantation will hold its annual Holiday Carnival at The Spa & Shops. Bring the whole family to enjoy a ride on the carousel, chat with Santa Claus during a horse and carriage ride, and complimentary Christmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate. For more information, contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202 or www.aipfl.com/Calendar_of_Events_Shops.htm.

Voted “best of” Ghost Tours Locally and Nationally – St Augustine

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Ghost Tours of St. Augustine
(Saint Augustine, FL) – Based on voting by the public, Ghost Tours of St.Augustine has been voted Best Ghost Tour in Saint Augustine by the St. Augustine Record’s annual poll, #1 Ghost Tour in Florida by Monthly Magazine and voted 7th Best Ghost Tour in the nation by Haunted America. The original walking tour “A Ghostly Experience” has been featured on numerous television
shows on the Travel and Discovery Channels, such as “Secrets,” “Sightings,” “Montel Williams” and more. These two new awards add to a host of previous honors, proving people are not fooled by imitators.

Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, presents a spine tingling, bone chilling night to remember for Halloween. This year the fright night will include a walk, ride and scare tour. Nightmares will be included for some free of charge along with an appendage or two. The Halloween activities will be Friday October 31st starting at 7PM:

“Insanity” begins at the north end of St. George Street at the Ghostly Experience Store. Your Ghost Host will take you on a brief stroll by St. Augustine’s famous cemetery, dropping you off at the trolley for a ride through town and some ghastly tales. Disembark at Potter’s Wax Museum for a guided tour with a unique host. Beware of the sculptor, he’s been working so hard that he’s come down with a case of cabin fever and Insanity is starting to set in. Reservations are suggested for this tour and the terror will last approximately 90 minutes.

Those who prefer a walking tour may want to test the fortitude of their fear factor with “A Ghostly Experience”. The guide will lead the group by candle light through the quaint, but eerie streets telling stories about murders, sightings, unexplained deaths, and tales about being buried alive. Enjoy
visiting cemeteries, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, residential properties, the fort, and of course unmarked cemeteries. Reservations are suggested for this tour and the terror will last approximately 60 minutes.

If your sea legs need a workout, come aboard the 72-foot schooner Freedom for “Ghost of the Matanzas”, an interactive experience out on the dark night waters where a spectral pirate captain tells tales, provides you with grog and rations, and won’t make you walk the plank as long as you co-operate. Reservations are suggested for this tour and the terror will last 60 minutes.

Ghost Tours of St. Augustine guides you through the quaint pathways of old Saint Augustine every night of the year presenting stories of the paranormal and supernatural from the archived vaults of the ancient city. Stories from “A Ghostly Experience” are also available in books, CD, cassette tape and videotape that may be purchased online or at Ghost Central located 2 St.George Street Unit 101.

For more information about special Halloween programs, including prices and tour times, call 904-829-1122 or 904-825-0087 ext. 208

Spooktacular Halloween Party at the Zoo – Jacksonville, Florida

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This Halloween, celebrate with the city’s biggest party animals at the Jacksonville Zoo!
Spooktacular is a safe and exciting Halloween adventure for kids of all ages.
Get into the spirit with:

* Hundreds of lit jack-o-lanterns
* The Enchanted Forest
* Select animal exhibits
* Pirates Cove
* Lights extravaganza at the Gardens at Trout River Plaza
* Candy stations throughout the Zoo

For more information, please visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Ghost Tours in Beaufort, South Carolina

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Costumed storytellers spellbind tour participants with tales of ghostly happenings in some of Beaufort’s oldest residences located in the historic district and beyond. The oldest ghost in America is said to live in the Castle, a 19th century renovated estate currently on the market. Ghostly visions have been known to appear on past tours which take about 45 minutes to one hour.
Tickets are $10 for the walk and for children (3-11) on the carriages and $18 for adult carriage rides.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Some of Beaufort’s oldest residents have shared stories from their childhood. This event, now in its fourteenth year, attracts hundreds of participants from around the county.

Call 843-52GHOST (524-4678) for reservations or information.
Mastercard and Visa are accepted.
All proceeds will benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Association of Beaufort County.
Evening tours by carriage or walk are available by reservation.

St Vincent’s Annual Tour of Homes and Tea – Savannah, Georgia

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St. Vincent’s Academy is again hosting this popular self-guided tour of the original 1845 Convent building and eight private homes in Savannah’s Historic District.

This year’s tour of homes promises to be a fascinating look inside nine residences in Savannah’s Historic District. Some of the homes reflect their 19th century origin in architectural style, interiors and furnishings, while others offer an exciting contemporary approach to downtown living.

Certainly, the centerpiece of Savannah’s only fall tour of homes is the elegant tea which will be served on the grounds of the Convent. Academy students will serve a delicate repast of tea, homemade confections and traditional tea sandwiches.

St. Vincent’s has enjoyed an enduring relationship with St. Joseph’s since 1875, when the Sisters of Mercy established St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Savannah. Proceeds from the Tour & Tea benefit the preservation and restoration of the historic Convent.

Come see for yourself why native Savannahians and out-of-towners alike say this annual fall event is “the best tour in Savannah.”

Tour Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, October 18, 2008 only

Tickets: $40 per person (includes Tea at the Convent) plus handling charge for online and phone orders. Call (912) 819-7780 for reservations and tickets or visit St Vincents Tour of Homes and Tea website