Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Myrtle Beach Inaugural WinterFest

by

If you’ve spent a lot of time at home over the holidays, now is the time to break loose and have some fun out on the town at this festival in Myrtle Beach. Market Common in Myrtle Beach arranges the first ever WinterFest on January 16th, 2010.

The Winter Fest features the largest oyster roast in the area, chili, soups, and a variety of seasonal beers. And to top it off, you can enjoy live music with the Paul Grimshaw Band and the PotatoHeads.

Admission is free, but tickets are sold for beer and food.Oysters will be sold by the dozen with cocktail sauce and crackers.
Serious oyster eating participants are encouraged to bring their own oyster knives and gloves.

Charleston Oktoberfest

by

When fall rolls around, it’s hight time for Oktoberfest on the coast and Charleston Oktoberfest is next in line. This event returns to Blackbaud Stadium on Sunday, October 25 from Noon- 5 PM with Oompah bands, sauerkraut, bratwurst and of course German beer.

Charleston Oktoberfest also has authentic German dancers performing, a big selection of German beers and a wide variety of delicious food. Come early, because the first 1000 festival attendees will receive a free commemorative beer stein.

Blackbaud Stadium will be transformed into an authentic Bavarian-style beer hall for the festival with big tents and beer trestle-tables. The main beer vendors will be placed on the concourse. Oktoberfesters are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn-chairs.
This Oktoberfest is organized by Charleston Battery, and they have remembered the children as well. Kid’s activities include mini-soccer games on the stadium field, a Mountain Slide, an inflatable combination game, a Hot-Shot Power-Kick game and a jump castle. Charleston Oktoberfest will benefit a local charity with a portion of the proceeds going to Live 5 News’ Debi’s Kids and The Salvation Army Angel Tree.

The 2009 Oktoberfest Corporate Challenge, the German Cup, will take place with local teams competing in tug-o-war, barrel races, three-legged races and bratwurst eating competitions. This sounds like great entertainment!

Tickets to Charleston Oktoberfest 2009 are only $5 in advance ($7 day of event) and can be purchased at the Blackbaud Stadium box office or by calling (843) 971-4625 (843) 971-4625, tickets are also available online at www.charlestonbattery.com. There is no charge for parking; for more information or for directions to Blackbaud Stadium call 971-4625 or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Charleston Oktoberfest is presented by The Charleston Battery with additional support from 95 SX, The Wolf 96.9 and WTMA 1250.
beer

Oktoberfest in Savannah, GA

by

Dust off the Tyrolean hat and lederhosen – it’s time for the party of the season in Savannah. We visited last year, and we can assure you that River Street in Savannah knows how to celebrate Oktoberfest. This festival takes place on October 2-4, 2009.

There will live performances, clogging, games, fireworks, arts and crafts and Bratwurst tasting. Speaking of sausage, our all-time favorite event is back – Wiener Dog Racing. Oktoberfest would not be complete without.

beerI don’t know how anyone can resist such a magnificent celebration of German heritage. This festival has it all; oompah band, bratwurst, wiener dogs and to top it all off – they even promise that you get to participate in the chicken dance.

New for this year is the River Street Beer Garden, it’s the perfect spot to show off your Oktoberfest fashion.

Judging from what the action-packed program has to offer, plan to come early and stay late.

The 10th Annual Wiener Dog Races will take place at Morrell Park (near the Waving Girl) again this year. Registration begins at 8am and the races begin at 10am!

For more information about the festival, visit http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Savannah Craft Brew Fest – a festival for beer lovers in Savannah

by

This two-day event will feature a dinner on Friday September 4th and a grand tasting session on Saturday September 5th.

The festival opens already on Friday night in the trade center’s ballroom with the Craft Brew and Food Pairing Dinner, where food has been carefully paired with Georgia craft beers.

On Saturday, the event continues at the esplanade with the Craft Brew Grand Tasting. 120 different craft brews available for tasting. River Street and the Savannah skyline will provide a perfect backdrop for this portion of the festival. This is your opportunity to learn more about beer brewing and to get an opportunity to taste some of the best craft brews around. There’s also live entertainment, workshops and much more.

PS. Here’s a link to a discount coupon for $5.00 off at the door!

For more details about the events, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.SavannahCraftBrewFest.com

beer

Jacksonville Beer Festival 2009

by

If you like beer, and want to learn more about beers and brewing, come to the 2009 Jacksonville Craft and Import Beer Festival. Here you have the opportunity to sample over 30 different breweries with over 200 beers to taste. There’s also great food to go along with your beverages. Local restaurants are serving up great dishes. There will also be live music, a silent auction and other prize give-aways. Proceeds from the festival are going to the Southside Businessmen’s.

VIP members are treated to beer and brewology school as well as a food pairing and judging classes. There’s also a special, private selection of beer samples not available with general admission. So for the true beer enthusiast, this is definitely the ticket to get. You will get a peek at the beer industry from the inside.

The festival is a one day event, Friday June 19th at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Crown Royal Touchdown Club East. VIP starts at 5pm and general admission starts at 7pm, going until 10pm.
There are two type of tickets, General Admission for $25 and VIP for $40.

For tickets and more information, visit www.beerfestjax.com
Beer