Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Father’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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When my kids were little, they used to draw cards for Father’s Day. Sometimes I would also get soap or a new screwdriver or other tool. I’m sure my wife was involved because she wanted me to fix the broken door handle or something similar. My kids no longer live at home, so now, I’m hoping my wife will feel sorry for me and make sure I get pampered. For me, Father’s Day Brewquets from Intuition Ale Works is the perfect gift. One of the beers you can get in your Brewquet is Honey Badger, you normally can’t even get Honey Badger in a growler! Just that, is worth it! Can you tell that Honey Badger is my favorite Intuition Beer? Growlers are always good for Dads who love beer, because when the beer is gone, you still have the growler and you can always go back and refill it. That’s the most inexpensive way to buy craft beer.

BeerGlass1

Father’s Day Brunch, Dim Sum or Dinner? Father’s Day is on a Sunday, so to me, brunch is a given. Our friends at Campeche Bay have a great brunch with what they call “topless mimosas”. All Dads will enjoy that. Campeche Bay is located in Jax Beach. (Campeche Bay Cantina )Speaking of Jax Beach, if the weather is nice, I love going to Casa Marina to sit on the deck. Casa Marina also serves brunch.

Dim Sum multi 2
Dim Sum – small steamer baskets with food for sharing

For dinner, there are so many options for places to go with Dad. I always enjoy the food at the Good Food Company, and I love to go to Fish Company for seafood. But if you are looking for something special, something to entertain the whole family, I’d suggest going to Taverna Yamas. It’s a greek restaurant in Tinseltown. On weekends they have belly dancing, and zorba dancing, and it’s great fun for the whole family. Their food is awesome too. I really like greek food. I especially love the homemade baklava. Speaking of international cuisine, if you are not up for brunch, how about Dim Sum? Sunday is a great day for Dim Sum. Dim Sum are those small plates with different types of food popular in Cantonese cooking. To eat dim sum is perfect for family gatherings, because you order food to share, by plate. My normal hangout for Dim Sum is otherwise the Dim Sum Room, located near Target and Avenues Mall. (The Dim Sum Room )I also saw online that Blue Bambo on Southside Boulevard is serving Dim Sum on Sunday, June 15th. Chef Dennis doesn’t do that every weekend, so that could be fun. Fun for Father’s Day Supercountry fest is in town on Father’s Day weekend, so for those of you who love country music, heading to Everbank Field for country music is an obvious choice. Luke Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryant and a bunch of other stars are coming. You can find out more at www.floridacountrysuperfest.com You could also celebrate Father’s Day with a visit to the Hall of Fame and IMAX Theater. Guests will enjoy complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 15 in honor of Father’s Day, which is great for the big golf lover. Dads will also receive a free round on the Putting Course, discounts in the IMAX Theater and the first 300 dads through the Museum will receive a special gift. Guests can enjoy a special scavenger hunt through the Hall of Fame and a photo opportunity with the U.S. Open Trophy. For more information visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org Going to the zoo is always fun, and on Sunday, Father’s get in for free. All you have to do is to get the special coupon with you. Click here for free admission on Father’s Day.  On Father’s Day, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers a special car show, and there’s music on the lawn and BBQ to purchase. Let’s not forget, that there are lots and lots of interesting animals to check out at the zoo. The zoo is a great option for a fun Sunday, if the weather permits. For more ideas for Father’s Day, read Kris Chislett suggestions for the wine lover here. jaxzoo

Jekyll Island Shrimp n’ Grits Festival in Georgia

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The annual Shrimp n’ Grits festival in Jekyll Island, Georgia, is one of our favorite festivals on the coast. There is always a lot to see and do at this festival. This year it’s the 8th year for the popular Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival. If you love seafood, especially shrimp, this is the place to visit. The festival takes place in the historic district on September 19 – 21, 2014.
To kick-off the weekend, Opening Night Plate Samples will be offered on Friday, Sept. 20, with plates priced at $3 each. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival hosts two cooking contests, first, an amateur Cooking Competition and then the Professional Chef Cooking Competition. There will also be cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs.
Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island, GAFrom the Kids Fun Zone, zip lines and bounce houses, to ongoing cooking demos, shrimp eating contests and never-ending assortment of tasty finds, the 2013 Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival promises to dish up a good time for the whole family!

General admission to the festival is free.

Here is our video from when we visited the festival a while back.

Fun things to do in South Carolina in October

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There is a lot to do in South Carolina during the month of October when fall festival season is in full swing. Just take a look at some of the events we have come up with. 

First Friday on Broad – Charleston, SC

October 5, 2012

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 5 – 6, 2012
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 7, 2012
Spice things up with a Latin American Festival in Wannamaker County Park. This popular festival has been going on for over 20 years now. Read more about the Latin American Festival here.

Little River Shrimp Festival

October 13 -14, 2012
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 6, 2012
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

Look Dad!

Children’s Day Festival – Mt Pleasant, SC

October 16, 2012
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 14 – 21, 2012
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 26 – 28, 2012
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 26 – November 4, 2012
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

 

Labor Day Weekend in coastal Georgia

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Labor Day is always a big deal in coastal Georgia with lots of fun things to do on the coast with festivals and events.Savannah is always a great city to visit. When the weather is hot and humid you feel transported back to the “good old days” when women wore long skirts, men hats and everyone traveled by horse carriage. At least that’s what it seems like when you watch movies. Speaking of which, Savannah has been the backdrop to many Hollywood films. There are even tours focusing on the movie history of the old city. Savannah is a great city for a walking. Just take your time and enjoy the beautiful architecture and the many squares and gardens. Besides the Riverfront, we always enjoy visiting the City Market. Lots of places to eat or just hang out, and lots of people to watch. The most popular event for Labor Day is probably the beer festival, Savannah Craft Brew Fest.

 

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

 

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

This event has grown over the years and has become one of the most popular fall events in Savannah. At Savannah Craft Brew Fest you get the opportunity to try 130 different kinds of beer, and lots more. Rub elbows with beer enthusiasts from all over the Southeast, and talk to brewers from all over the country. This event takes place August 26 – September 2, 2012.

Get the details on our special events page for Savannah Craft Brew Fest.

 

Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island

Labor Day is traditionally the time of year when we should say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall. That seems a bit too early for us here on the coast, we still have plenty of beach weather ahead. In any case, if you are determined to spend as much time on the beach as possible this weekend — head to Tybee Island. Tybee is located a short 20 minute drive outside Savannah. It’s actually a pretty cool drive too. You travel across the vast marshland before you reach the island itself. 

The Labor Day Beach Bash takes place on September 3, 2012. You can get more details about the event on our page for Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island, GA.

 

 

 

Kingsland Catfish Festival 

South of Savannah and just north of Jacksonville on the other side of the border is where Kingsland, GA, is located. If you live in Jacksonville, this is a perfect day trip. You can even visit the small historic city of St. Marys first, take a stroll in the park or relax at the waterfront. From St. Marys you can take the boat over to Cumberland Island, but call first, this boat can be booked during big weekends. Kingsland CVB can answer all your questions about the area.

Just call them at 1-800-433-0225 or visit visitkingsland.com

This is the biggest festival in Camden County, attracting about 65,000 people over the weekend. The festival takes place in downtown Kingsland September 3 – 5, 2011, and includes a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and much more. The biggest attraction is the fried catfish dinner. Get all the details here.

 

Here is our video from the event.

 

 

St Simons Food & Spirit Festival – Saint Simons Island, Georgia

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The inaugural Saint Simons Food & Spirits Festival, to benefit Hospice of the Golden Isles, will be held September 21 through 23 on Saint Simons Island, GA. This festival is the first of its kind in the area and will be headlined by James Beard award-winning television personality, cookbook author and grand dame of Southern cooking, Nathalie Dupree and her co-author, Cynthia Graubart.

Additional culinary luminaries scheduled to participate include Ford Fry, chef and restaurateur of Atlanta restaurants no. 246, JCT. Kitchen and The Optimist; Libbie Summers, lifestyle expert, blogger at Salted and Styled and author of The Whole Hog Cookbook; and Saint Simons’ own beekeeper, Ted Dennard, founder of Savannah Bee Company.

Event highlights include:

· First Bite kick-off reception on Thursday, Sept. 20 in the courtyard of Halyards Restaurant.

· Friday Night Festival Feast hosted by Sea Island. Executive chef Jonathan Jerusalmy and guest chef Ford Fry will present a five-course dinner featuring local foods, specialty cocktails and fine wines.

· Saturday festivities at Gascoigne Bluff include The Market, which features a farm stand, retailers and a juried arts and crafts show, free to the public.

· Southern Specialties Cooking Class, presented by Elegant Island Living and led by Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubart, held in the Harbour Room at Coastal Kitchen.

· Local Flavors Tasting Tent featuring 25 local chefs and restaurants, craft beers, artisan spirits and fine wines.

· VIP Riverside Sporting Club will televise SEC football and guests will enjoy food from Frederica, Little Saint Simons and Sea Island as well as libations from the mixologists at the King & Prince. In this venue, festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with festival talent.

· Culinary Creations Demo Tent featuring Ted Dennard, Libbie Summers, Ford Fry, Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubart.

· Lowcountry Concert with bluegrass and rock-n-roll from the Mosier Brothers and the eclectic, soulful sounds of Mudcat. Local restaurants will sell coastal favorites and during the concert, football viewing will continue and VIPs will enjoy pub grub in the Riverside Sporting Club.

· SPIRITual Sunday Brunch at Halyards. Chef and owner Dave Snyder and his team will serve a multi-course meal featuring recipes from invited culinary talent, who will be seated among the guests.

day at the beach