Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Holiday Festival of Lights – Charleston, South Carolina 2009

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Discover 20 years of holiday magic by participating in a real Lowcountry tradition – The Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston, South Carolina. This is a tree mile driving tour at James Island County Park. The park is decorated with over two million shimmering lights and about 600 displays. The Holiday Festival of Lights opens on November 12, 2009 and continues through January 3, 2010.

But the Festival of Lights is more than a driving tour. Make sure to park the car and experience the other holiday attractions. This event is sure to be a hit with the younger crowd.

Santa’s Village

Take an evening walk through Santa’s Village to see the meticulously crafted holiday sand sculpture. This sculpture has been constructed by hand with santa50-tons of sand. Pretty impressive! You also don’t want to miss the amazing gingerbread house competition.

The aroma of coffee, cookies and fudge fill the air, you’re just going to have to stop by Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. After all, it is the holiday season, and isn’t that the time of year when parents are nice? You can also make s’mores at the marshmallow roasting pits, take a snapshot with Santa and then hop aboard the train for an up-close look at the light displays.

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Winter Wonderland

In Winter Wonderland there is a traditional 18-animal carousel ride. Also, take a look at the beautiful gigantic 4-by-8 foot holiday cards designed by local school students.

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20 Nights of Celebrating 20 Years

This is a special 20th Anniversary series of activities featuring a variety of events and live entertainers during the first 20 days of December. Kick off takes place on December 1 with the Tree-Lighting ceremony. The rest of the schedule is listed below.

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December 1
Mrs. Claus Storytelling 6pm-9pm

December 2
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
Santa Paws Bring your favorite furry friend to have a photo taken with Santa Claus.
6pm – 8:00pm & 8:20pm – 9:30pm.

December 3
Outdoor Movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Grab a chair and a warm blanket to see one of your favorite holiday flicks.
6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm at Winter Wonderland.

December 4
The Cooper School Choir featuring The Hungry Monks
7pm-9pm

December 5
The Palmetto Bronze Handbell Choir
7pm-9pm

December 6
The Hungry Monks
7pm-9pm

December 7
Lowcountry Power Brass
7pm-9pm
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of theLowcountry.

December 8
Franklin Hodge and Band
6pm-9pm

December 9
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
Santa Paws Photo Sessions 6pm – 8:00pm & 8:20pm – 9:30pm.

December 10
Outdoor Movie: A Christmas Story
6pm and 8pm at Winter Wonderland.

image007December 11
Mrs. Claus Storytelling
6pm-9pm

December 12
Lowcountry Power Brass

7pm-9pm

December 13
Franklin Hodge and Band
6pm-9pm

December 14
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

December 15
Franklin Hodge and Band
6pm-9pm

December 16
Family Craft Night
Presented by the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

Santa Paws photo sessions
6pm – 8:00pm & 8:20pm – 9:30pm.

December 17
Outdoor Movie: The Polar Express
6pm and 8pm at Winter Wonderland.

December 18
Lowcountry Power Brass
7pm-9pm

December 19
The Hungry Monks
7pm-9pm

December 20
Mrs. Claus Storytelling
6pm-9pm

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Dickens Show and Festival in Myrtle Beach, 2009

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The 28th Annual Dickens Christmas Show and Festival takes place in an 18th Century, Victorian Marketplace Setting complete with period clad vendors, hawking fine arts and crafts, gifts, Christmas Decor, toys and much, much more.

The event takes place November 12 -15, 2009.

For more information call 843-448-9483 or visit www.dickenschristmasshow.com
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Video holiday greeting from Coastal Companion’s home town of St Marys, GA

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Please watch our video greeting from Coastal Companion’s home town, world head quarters for our operation – St. Marys, Georgia.
This is what the holiday season looks like in downtown St Marys, Georgia. Take a look for yourself.

Santa Makes another Stop in Historic Downtown Summerville, SC

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Santa will be making another stop in Historic Downtown Summerville appearing at Elf Central on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 12 to 4 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves will be visiting with all children and taking photos of the moment.

Elf Central is located at 227 South Cedar Street (Wells Fargo). Children may have their photos taken with Santa and leave with a candy cane. And even better news, local businesses and individuals have donated to bring Santa at no cost to you! Come to Elf Central for a free visit with Santa and receive a photo of your child and an extra value coupon book worth over $1500 for downtown businesses.
Capture the charm of shopping and strolling in Historic Downtown Summerville this holiday season, where parking is free and walking from shop to shop is as easy as a step around the corner. Enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas experience with friendly folks, Southern warmth and a visit from Santa. Gift certificates are available, good in all DREAM member businesses. Shop locally and support your community! Call 843-821-7260 or visit www.summervilledream.org for more information.

Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Summerville by enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Historic Downtown district while preserving its historic identity. Affiliated with Main Street SC (MASC) and the National Main Street Association, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. works to enhance community identity and pride by providing “hometown” events, assisting businesses with design improvements, building tourism and marketing Historic Downtown Summerville to residents and guests. For more information, please call 843-821-7260 or visit our Web site at www.summervilledream.org.

Free Holiday Family Matinee – Savannah

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SCAD celebrates holidays with free, family-friendly movies and seasonal refreshments

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah College of Art and Design invites the local community to SCAD Presents Holiday Matinee, a family-friendly celebration of holiday spirit, Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The free event, open to the public and held at SCAD’s historic Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., features screenings of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at 11 a.m. and “The Polar Express” in 3-D at 2 p.m. Guests also may enjoy complimentary popcorn and beverages, sing-alongs of favorite holiday classics and more.

“Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” (47 minutes), featuring the vocal talents of Burl Ives, recounts the tale of a shy, young reindeer whose shiny red nose has made him the laughingstock of all Christmastown. Frustrated by their inability to fit in, Rudolph and his friend Hermey, the elf who wants to be a dentist, set out on their own. However, they soon find themselves pursued by the Abominable Snowmonster. They flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic wilderness, where prospector Yukon Cornelius comes to their rescue. Returning to Christmastown, they learn that bad weather may cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph’s headlight—his illuminated nose—saves Christmas by serving as a beacon to guide Santa’s sleigh.

“The Polar Express” (99 minutes) in 3-D showcases the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away”). This inspiring adventure is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Trustees Theater will provide 3-D glasses to all attendees.

Children of all ages will delight in the festivities, which begin at 10 a.m. and last throughout the afternoon. In addition to the free film screenings, guests can take pictures in a snowy winter wonderland, join a sing-along of classic holiday tunes and enjoy a visit with Santa Claus.

The following day, Sunday, Dec. 21, SCAD will serve complimentary apple cider, hot cocoa and holiday cookies at its two retro diners, the Streamliner Diner, 120 W. Henry St., and Bobbie’s Diner, 1402 Habersham St. This event, which takes place from 1-3 p.m., is also free and open to the public.