Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Mardi Gras festivals on the coast of Georgia

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Mardi Gras is known for fun and festivities. Mardi Gras traditionally takes place before the fasting season of Lent, its origins go all the way back to the ancient Rome. Many cities continue the tradition today, for example Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, and maybe the most famous celebration of them all takes place in Rio de Janeiro.
But did you know that here on the coast of Georgia, we actually have two festivals of our own. St Marys Mardi Gras has a long tradition, in 2010 it’s the 16th year for the annual festival.  Tybee Island is slightly behind, celebrating the 2nd Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras St Marys
The 16th Annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade will showcase festive floats and costumes designed around this year’s theme “Romance Through the Ages.”  This is one of the most popular annual festivals in St Marys. Everyone comes downtown to view the Mardi Gras parade and catch beads.

A 10 a.m. parade will kick off the festival and the parade is followed by an action-packed day of entertainment, arts and crafts, and amusements. When the sun goes down , adults can continue to the Mardi Gras Ball. And when I say adults, I mean adults. A new King and Queen are chosen and prizes are awarded for best costumes. Dance music will be provided by the band, “A Touch of Grey”.  I warned you, this party is for adults only.

Tickets for the ball are available at the St. Marys Welcome Center and Once Upon a Bookseller in Downtown St. Marys. Beads are also available at the bookstore on days leading up to the festival. For more information, call 912-882-7350 or 912-552-0072.

The Mardi Gras Festival includes a parade and live entertainment on Saturday, February 13th.
For more information, please call St Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau at 912.882.4000 or visit www.stmaryswelcome.com

Mardi Gras Tybee
Tybee Island is celebrating Mardi Gras for the second time this year.
Purple, gold and green flags will dress up Tybee Island for the party. Mardi Gras Tybee kicks off with a  Masquerade Ball on Friday, February 12th at 8pm, hosted by Fannies on the Beach. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.

On Saturday February 13th, there will be a Mardi Gras parade at 3pm down Butler Avenue and a street party with music and festivities on Tybrisa Street. Join the fun, listen to authentic Zydeco music featuring Brad Randell and the Zydeco Ballers, All American All Star Dixieland Review and Jeff Beasley Band. The music starts already at noon. Admission to the street party and parade viewing is free.


Tickets for the Fantasy Masquerade Ball can be purchased online at www.mardigrastybee.com

mardi gras festival georgia 2010

New Year’s Eve in Jacksonville

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Ring in the New Year downtown Jacksonville

New Year’s is always a big deal in Jacksonville, and not only because of the big game. Many of us can’t wait to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in a new brighter year. Come to downtown and plan to spend the day!

Downtown Jacksonville starts its celebration early with a 5K run. The Vystar 5K run is held at 1:30 pm right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along the parade route.

Gator Bowl Parade
Then at 3:00 pm it’s time for the big parade. The Gator Bowl parade hits 60 this year, but this won’t stop this parade from going strong. Traditionally the parade includes floats from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Fernandina Pirates, the Shriners and a huge variety of colorful floats, music from both high school bands and college bands, and much more.

The parade starts at the Prime Osborn Convention Center and on Water Street in front of the Federal Reserve Bank. It continues east on Water Street to Independent Drive, left on Laura to Bay Street, following Bay street back to the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

After the parade you can head to the Landing for pep rallies for the football fans, the Christmas Tree Light shows, and then it’s a New Year’s Party with live entertainment on stage.

There’s also a Party in the Park at Metropolitan Park, beginning at 5:00 pm. with live music from Donavon Frankenreiter and others.

Fireworks
At midnight it’s time for the grand finale of the evening when we count down to 2010. Spectacular fireworks will light up the sky and reflect in the waters of the St. Johns River. The fireworks are actually shot from barges located in the river right in front of The Jacksonville Landing, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Metropolitan Park.

The fireworks can be viewed from the Northbank and Southbank. For more information, call (904) 630-3690.

New Year’s Eve for the family – Charleston, SC

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Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Marion Square in Charleston, South Carolina with lots of fun and activities for the whole family. This is perfect if you have family visiting town, or if you have younger children celebrating New Year’s with you. Head to downtown Charleston and Marion Square for an evening out on the town. The festivities begin at 4:00 pm and end with fireworks at 10:15 pm.

On the main stage – entertainment from drumming to sing-a-longs and at 8:00 pm the headliner “Total Package” takes the stage.
Fireworks at 10:15 pm!!

Kidsfest Under the Tent
There’s a special tent at Marion Square for kids with everything from face painting, arts and crafts, balloon art and sing-a-longs.

At 4:50 pm a bagpiper will lead the way to the Second Presbyterian church for free concerts. At 5:00 pm there’s a special concert for kids called “The Velveteen Rabbit”

  • 6:30 pm Baroque Splendor: music of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi
  • 8:00 pm Chamber Music of Charleston
  • 9:00 pm, Brass Concert performed by Charles Towne Brass with Julia Harlow

This event is presented by the City of Charleston.
The concerts take place at Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting Street.
For more information call (843) 724-7305

City Market’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

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Ring in 2010 at City Market in Savannah! This is an outdoor, cool, street party. Live music starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until 1 a.m.
This event is free and open to the public, no tickets or reservations are required.

For more information 912.525.CITY

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Tybee Island, GA

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Come to Savannah’s beach at Tybee Island to ring in 2010. Here you can bring in the New Year with a bang!

Enjoy the fireworks show launched from the Tybee Pier which will happen at the stroke of midnight. You can find an excellent spot at one of Tybee’s many restaurants and bars, or just head to the beach to watch the spectacular show!

For more details call – 912-786-5444 / 800-868-2322.