Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

What To Do for Mother’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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It’s an action-packed week with the Players Championship at  TPC Sawgrass, followed closely by everyone’s favorite celebration – Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday.  Then on Sunday it’s time for Mother’s Day.

Most people I’ve spoken to usually take Mom out for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Some moms with more than one child gets to go out and eat all day, the biggest problem seems to be to agree on who is handling what meal.  Keep in mind that some restaurants get really busy on Mother’s Day and opt for reservations.  But if you want to do something a little bit different this year without spending all your hard earned money,  stick with me.  I have found activities in Jacksonville both  you and your mother can enjoy.

Museum of Contemporary Art MOCA Jacksonville FloridaContemporary Art
Sunday is always “Family Free Sunday” at MOCA Jacksonville, so if your Mom likes art and you have a big group, a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Jacksonville could just be the ticket. Also Cafe Nola has a special Mother’s Day Brunch which includes free mimosas. My mom would really enjoy that.   (Reservations are strongly suggested for Cafe Nola.
Visit www.MOCAjacksonville.org for more information.

Home & Garden Tour
The 32nd Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens in Springfield is going on all weekend. The tour takes you to some of the most beautiful historic homes in Springfield and the tour also includes tea in Henrietta’s Tearoom in the SPAR building, 1321 N Main Street.  If you like you can upgrade your ticket to include a dinner, which seems like it’s a really good deal.  Choose from 10 restaurants and bars in the Springfield area that will provide discounts. You will also receive a free beer from the Bier Garden during the Home Tour.
I would really enjoy that!

On Sunday May 9th the tour takes place from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Driving Miss Daisy
Another way to see historic Springfield is to participate in the  historic bike tour.   My Mom is probably not that interested in riding her bike around Springfield – even though it’s a free tour –  so she’ll be relieved to know that the tour takes place already  on Saturday May 8th at 10:00 am.  A more suitable activity for my mother is to  sit down in the air conditioned theater with a nice cold Pepsi watching the play  “Driving Miss Daisy” by Stage Aurora.

This is a heart-warming story and I would enjoy the performance, but mom  would probably take it the wrong way and think I’m trying to point out how old she is.  Now when I think about it,  a better idea is to take mom to the Florida Theater where the king of blues himself, B.B.King, is performing.   He is 84 years old but still going strong, and he takes the stage at 8:00 pm on Sunday May 9th.    (For more information about B.B. King, click here)

Free Mother’s Day Concert at the Beach
I’d suggest heading to Jacksonville Beach on Mother’s Day.  Here you can enjoy a live performance with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at Sea Walk Pavilion.  You can get everyone in the car and “drive your Miss Daisy” to Jax Beach for a great evening under the stars.  The event area opens at 5:00 pm.  At 5:45 pm Jacksonville Mass Choir performs To Michael with Love – The Songs of Michael Jackson. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 7:30 PM performing music from the movies, the opera, Broadway and the concert hall.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket for mom to sit on.   You could even turn the whole Mother’s Day dinner into a outdoor picnic.  Gather the family, make a big outing and a great impression while saving money, after all this is a free concert.

For more information:

MOCA Jacksonville
333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL, 32202
Ph: (904) 366-6911
www.MOCAjacksonville.org

Cafe Nola for reservations  (904) 366-6911, ext. 231

Tour of Homes and Gardens in Springfield
Friday May 7th & Saturday May 8th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Sunday May 9th from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Call 904-353-7727 or visit www.sparcouncil.org for more information.

Springfield Historic Bike Tour
Saturday May 8th from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Bring your own bike and ride for free, or rent one for $25
www.e2ride.com

Stage Aurora
5164-A Norwood Ave, Jacksonville, Fl 32208 (click here for map)
Call 904.765.7372 or visit www.stageaurora.org

Florida Theater
128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Fl

www.floridatheatre.com

Pops at the Beach
Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach, Fl
Event Hotline (904) 247-6100 press 3
www.jacksonvillebeach.org

Myrtle Beach Family Fitness Festival 2010

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Myrtle Beach fitness festival and fun runThis is the first year for Myrtle Beach Family Fitness Festival & Fun Run. The event is scheduled for April 30-May 2, 2010 in Myrtle Beach, SC. The focus point for the festival is The Market Common and the area will feature fitness activities, vendors, live entertainment featuring national recording artists playing children’s music and much more.

Some of the events include a Diaper Derby, Chalk Art Walk Competition, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Runs. All the events benefit the Childrens’ Museum of South Carolina.

Buy a wristband and save. The wristband is $5 and gives you free access to the inflatables at Market Commons all day – it also gives you free entry to the Children’s Museum of South Carolina and other rebates. Click here to buy your wristbands now.

St Augustine Lighthouse Festival 2010

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You'll have the best view on the coast from the lighthouse!

St Augustine has one of most beautiful lighthouses on the coast. It’s black and red silhouette is a known landmark. If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit, once of the best times is of course during the annual Lighthouse Festival.

This year it’s the 8th Annual Festival, the event takes place on Saturday, March 20, 2010. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum offers free admission to the tower, the museum and the grounds during the festival.

This is a great event for both children and adults. There is always special games and crafts for children, great food, pony rides, and archaeological activities. Children can even buy, build and sail their own model boat in the pond, which is always a popular activity.

The Michelob Ultra Twilight 5K Run starts at 4:30 p.m. on the road in front of the Keeper’s House.

About 8,000+ visitors show up for the festival throughout the day, so plan to come early and stay for a while. Free parking will be available at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre (which is probably your best bet for parking) and there is a shuttle that will take you from there to the festival. Paid event parking will also be available at the Lighthouse & Museum.

For more information call (904) 829-0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com
St Augustine Lighthouse Festival

First Wednesday Art Walk, Jacksonville, FL – February 2010

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Art Walk in February in downtown Jacksonville, Florida
Check out our First Wednesday Art Walk Jacksonville, Florida, page and watch our video and download this month’s map.

February 3, 2010: Ladies Night

February is the month of Valentine’s Day and the theme for this month’s art walk is “Ladies Night”, lots of special treats for ladies. You don’t want to miss out this time!

Hemming Plaza: Show off, impress and be memorable. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn some new dance moves with dancing and lessons by Salsa Caliente from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

The Adrian Pickett Gallery – New location at the Jacksonville Landing. Portraits in charcoal and more by Adrian Pickett. Special treat for ladies.

Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Museum – New location at the Jacksonville Landing – U.S. Navy ship models, photographs and former shipboard equipment on display.

MOCA Jacksonville – Check out the new exhibit: Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe.

Burrito Gallery – Features works by Overstreet Ducasse, Roosevelt Watson and Adrian Rhodes with a ladies night video installation by Biggie Tea.

Cafe 331 – Burlesque show, fire dancing, live body painting, the history of St. Valentine and more. Chocolate-covered strawberries while supplies last.

The Sinclair – Features haikus and web comics by Haiku Birdie. Chances to win Valentine’s-themed prizes.

11E – Circa Sixty Three showcases the ‘Frontier’ collection and hosts a raffle to win an exclusive jewelry package.

The Twisted Martini – The spot for THE OFFICIAL ART WALK AFTER PARTY! Buy one drink, hand over your Art Walk flyer and receive your second drink free.

Click here to visit  First Wednesday Art Walk Jacksonville, Florida, watch the video and download the map for February 2010.

Georgia Days 2010

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Georgia Days is the signature educational program of the Georgia Historical Society held every year. The events take place around the anniversary of the founding of the colony of Georgia on February 12, 1733. The event tries to bring history to life through a variety of programs including a series of school events and curriculum, crafts workshops, and the two-day Colonial Faire and Muster living-history program held at Wormsloe State Historic Site. The colorful Georgia Day parade is one of the most popular highlights of the Georgia Days celebration.

Georgia Days Kick Off Event & Lecture
Featuring an evening with National Public Radio’s Scott Simon, author of Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball
Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 6:00 P.M.
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum Annex – 460 Martin Luther King Blvd, Savannah

Savannah Book Festival
Friday and Saturday , February 5-6, 2010
Various locations around Telfair Square, Savannah

Colonial Faire and Muster
Saturday (Family Day) and Sunday, February 6-7, 2010, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah

Take your family back in time to the site of one of the earliest and most beautiful plantations of the Georgia coast for this popular annual living-history event featuring costumed re-enactors.

Georgia Days Super Museum Sunday
Sunday, February 7, 2010, 12:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Multiple Savannah-area sites.  Experience coastal Georgia’s rich history and cultural life as historic sites, house museums, art museums, and other points of interest in Savannah and coastal Georgia open their doors to the public at no charge during this annual Georgia Days event.  From Statesboro to Darien, more than 40 sites participate in this event, providing visitors a rare opportunity to experience the history in our own backyard.

Georgia Day Parade


Thursday, February 12, 2010, 10:30 A.M.
Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall, Savannah

Thousands of costumed local school children participate in the annual parade. The kids will march behind banners in commemoration of Georgia’s founding in 1733. The parade also include local dignitaries, costumed characters, musicians, and a military color guard. The Georgia Day Parade starts at Forsyth Park and ends with a program in front of City Hall. Here the mayor and other officials will give out awards for the annual Banner Competition.

Oglethorpe Arrives at Darien
Friday, February 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort King George Drive, Darien

On January 19, 1736, Scottish Highlanders arrived at the site of Fort King George on January 19, 1736. James Oglethorpe visited the site a month later.  Witness a re-enactment of the historic landing and hear Oglethorpe’s speech to the new Highland settlement. For more information please call 912.437.4770.  This is a free event.

Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala
Saturday, February 14, 2010, 7:00 P.M.
Hyatt Regency, Savannah

The Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala is the lavish culmination of GHS’s two-week commemoration of the founding of the Colony of Georgia. The celebration will be held under the stars on the banks of the Savannah River.

Fort Frederica Living History Festival
February 21, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fort Frederica National Monument, 6515 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island
This annual event commemorates the founding of Frederica in 1736. Activities throughout the day will immerse visitors in the history of Frederica and the struggle for empire between Great Britain and Spain in the 18th Century. Programs include tabby making, hands-on musket drills, colonial children’s games, journal making, and archeology programs. This event is organized by Fort Frederica National Monument. For more information, please contact the Fort Frederica Visitor’s Center at 912.638.3639.

Georgia Days Scottish Highland Dinner
Saturday, February 20, 2010, 7:00 P.M.
Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort King George Drive, Darien

This annual event features a Scottish dinner, hosted by Oglethorpe himself, at the Fort King George barracks. This event is organized by Fort King George and the Lower Altamaha Historical Society. For more information, please call 912.437.4770. Reservations required; a fee will be charged for dinner.

For more information about Georgia Days events, click here.

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