Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Fun things to do in South Carolina in September

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September on the coast is usually a great month, as far as events are concerned. The whole kicks off with a busy Labor Day Weekend packed with fun events for the family and lots of things to do all over the coast. Reality is, Labor Day, is only the beginning. In September we hit the hight of the Fall festival season – just take a look at the massive list of festival, events and happenings below.

 

Restaurant Week – Charleston, SC

September 5 – 16, 2012

Who doesn’t love to go out and eat? All of us do, and during this event you have the opportunity to get a three course meal at a fixed price. It’s a good deal, and a great time to explore and find new places to eat in Charleston.

Read more about the event here – Charleston Restaurant Week

 

 

Largest Garage Sale – Myrtle Beach, SC

September 8, 2012

This is the 23rd year for  this huge garage sale held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Exhibit Hall. The sale features 280 vendor booths and thousands of shoppers.  

Read more about the Largest Garage Sale in Myrtle Beach, SC here.

 

Dog Day AfternoonDog Day Afternoon – Charleston, SC

September 9, 2012

Let your dog enjoy the last days of Summer with a special doggy play day at Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Park.  Read more about the event here.

 

Shaggin’ on the Cooper – Charleston, SC

September 8 & September 29, 2012

The last dance for the season on the Cooper i coming up in September! It’s a bittersweet goodbye because it means that Summer is ending and Fall is knocking on our door. Read more about Shaggin’ on the Cooper here.

 

Scottish Games & Highland Gathering – Charleston, SC

September 17, 2012

This festival offers has a little bit of everything and is great fun for the whole family. Here you can enjoy Scottish heavy athletics, from caber toss to hammer throwing and much more. The festival also holds the largest drum and pipe competition in the Southeast. Visit our special events page to watch the video from the event. 

Just click here.

 

Fall Tour of Home & Gardens – Charleston, SC

September 27 – October 28, 2012

During this event you get a chance to stroll through intimate gardens and architecturally significant private homes, churches and public buildings. Tours highlight American architecture from the early Georgian Period into the 20th century. You will enjoy unique neighborhoods that represent Charleston’s flourishing culture from the Colonial era to the present. Visit the website.

 

Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival – Huntington Beach State Park, SC

September 28 – 30, 2012

Atalaya is a Moorish-style “castle” built in the Great Depression as a winter home and sculpture studio by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington at Huntington Beach State Park. This is the location of a great yearly Arts & Crafts Festival that draws a crowd from all over. 

Watch the video and get the link to the dollar off coupon from our special events page.

Click here for more about the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival.

 

Moonlight Mixer – Charleston, SC

September 21, 2012

The Moonlight Mixer series is also wrapping up. The next Moonlight Mixer at Folly Beach Pier is coming up on September 21, 2012. Tickets are available first come first serve – at the gate for $10. More information www.ccprc.com

 

Museum Mile Weekend – Charleston, SC

September 21 – 23, 2012

The Annual Museum Mile Weekend is scheduled for September 21 – 23, 2012. Many of the cultural sites along Charleston’s Museum Mile have joined forces and created this event. This year you can visit 13 sites for only $25.  Read more about the Museum Mile Weekend

 

MOJA Arts Festival – Charleston, SC

September 27 – October 7, 2012

The MOJA Arts Festival is a colorful festival with a variety of performances. You can experience everything from visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, to storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and much, much more.

For tickets and updated information visit www.MOJAfestival.com

 

Other stories to read:

Oktoberfest on the River – Savannah, GA

Talk Like a Pirate Day – September 19

 

 

 

Things To Do in Jacksonville May

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May is the best month of the year, at least when it comes to festivals and events. The kids will soon be out of school, many students are doing finals and for most of us, May tends to be a really busy month.  The weather is right now nice and warm, many of us love to head to the beach on the weekend. But if the beach is not what you are looking for, there is a whole bunch of events going on in Jacksonville this month. Here are a few suggestions.

 

Visiting French Navy Schooners during French Week
April 30 – May 2
Jacksonville is celebrating 450 years of Ribauld and the French influence on the city this month with a special French week. There are lot of history and learning type events and happenings, performance of Les Miserables, special french menus and much more. But what my eye was the two French schooners that are scheduled to visit downtown Jacksonville during the French Week celebration. You can board the ship for a tour, and it is free. Now that sounds like fun to me.  Read more about French week here.

First Wednesday Art Walk – Jacksonville
May 2, 2012
The theme for the month of May is Conservation, Fashion, Art on Wednesday, May 2 nd, 2012. You can download the art walk map right here, or pick up your copy in Hemming Plaza. Check out dates and themes for future art walk events right here on our special First Wednesday Art Walk page.

World of Nations Celebration
May 3 – 5, 2012
Take a trip around the world without leaving the city. Head to Metropolitan Park for an exciting adventure without having to pack suitcases, get plane tickets or worry about getting a passport. See the world right here on the First Coast. Read more about this event at our page for World of Nations in Jacksonville.

Movies in the Park
May 4, 2012
In the warmer months you can get your gang ready and head out to watch a family-friendly movie under the stars in the park. This year the outdoor film screening takes place on the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk’s riverfront lawn on Downtown’s Southbank.. On May 4 Th. you can watch Jurassic Park.

First Friday Art Walk in St.Augustine
May 4, 2012
This monthly event is one of the most popular in St. Augustine.  Check out the many galleries in the downtown area for the latest. You can read more about this recurring event on our special page for First Friday Art Walk.

Gamble Rogers Folk Festival
May 4 – 5, 2012
This festival celebrates folk music with lots of music. On Friday at St. Augustine Marina, and then all day at St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival – Amelia Island
May 4 – 6, 2012
This is without doubt the biggest event of the year for Fernandina Beach, Fl. The festival kicks off already on Thursday with a parade complete with pirates and cannons. Then on Friday night it’s time for the pirate invasion, followed by the big festival itself on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday there’s also a blessing of the fleet. You can read more about Amelia Island – Fernandina Shrimp Festival here.

World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Monday, May 7, 2012
The world will be watching as Phil Mickelson, Hollis Stacy, Dan Jenkins, Peter Alliss and Sandy Lyle are honored in an evening ceremony at the World Golf Hall of Fame.Call (904) 940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

THE PLAYERS Championship
May 10-13, 20112
It’s one of golf’s biggest events and it’s played annually on the coastline of Northeast Florida at the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The lush, green rolling hills and steep inclines offer spectacular views of each hole.

Pops at the Beach 
May 13, 2012
As usual, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra invites everyone to a concert on Mother’s Day at Jax Beach Seawalk Pavilion from 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm.  Goliath Flores performs at 6:00 p.m. Featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, then at 7:30 p.m. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Jacksonville Beach Hotline:  904.247.6100 x3 

Wild Amelia Festival
May 18 – 20, 2012
Wild Amelia Nature Festival is a three day long festival celebrating the bioregion around Amelia Island. This nature festival includes a variety of nature tours led by naturalists and Park Rangers, as well as nature photography workshops by local professionals.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival
May 24 – 27, 2012
The Jazz Festival in Jacksonville is acolorful, vibrant street festival. The popular music festival takes place on Memorial Day weekend – May 24 – 27, 2012. Besides music, you can enjoy the Heart Art Show & Sale, Wine Down Brew Town Tasting Experience, jazz exhibits, children’s educational activities and much more. More than 150,000 fans converged on downtown Jacksonville during the 2010 festival.

Moonlight Movies
May 25, 2012
Come to Seawalk Pavilion to enjoy the first movie in the moonlight series for the Summer. First movie out, everybody’s favorite: Men in Black. This is a free screening. 

Uptown Saturday Night – St. Augustine
May 26, 2012
During this monthly event, shops, antique stores and art galleries stay open late in the San Marco district. There’s live music, sometimes readings or book signings and you can rub elbows with artist and art lovers alike. Many places serve refreshment and there is a festival-like atmosphere in the area.

World Class Soccer in Jacksonville
May 26, 2012
This match U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Scotland is what’s called an “international friendly” but don’t let that fool you. This is an anticipated world-class soccer event on Everbank Field, right here in Jacksonville.

Labor Day Weekend in South Carolina

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Traditionally Labor Day is the holiday to say “goodbye” to Summer and “hello” to Fall.  For us here in the south, the warm weather will linger well after Labor Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to turn down an opportunity for a party.  Especially if the party involves lots of fun for the whole family.  This weekend there are lots of festivals to choose from in the low country involving the beach, live music and also good food.

 

First Friday on Broad

Come join in and have a “Hot time on Broad”. On the first Friday of every month the merchant association on Broad Street hosts an art event.

Barbados comes to Charleston

“Barbados Comes Back to Charleston” is a five day celebration taking place in various locations in Charleston, SC, from September 1-5, 2011. The event highlights the shared history and heritage of Barbados and Charleston.

There are lots of events scheduled from an open air market, live entertainment and a gala and a lecture.  For more information about events, times and to purchase tickets, visit www.barbadoscharleston.com.

 

Low Country Jazz

Jazz has always held a special place in our hearts here on the coast. The Low Country Jazz Festival on September 3, 2011, is quickly becoming a highly anticipated event in the Carolinas attracting festival attendees from North, South Carolina and abroad. More details on our special events page for the Low Country Jazz Festival.

 

BBQ and Bluegrass Festival

South Carolina is known for its delicious barbeque recipes. During Labor Day weekend you can enjoy mouth-watering South Carolina BBQ at Boonehall Plantation on Sunday September 3, 2011, while enjoying live music. This event has become a Lowcountry tradition, and no wonder.
BBQ and Bluegrass were meant for each other!
 

Lowcountry Wine and Beer Festival

On Sunday, September 4, you can sample more than 20 wines from around the globe, craft beers and a Lowcountry buffet from Hege’s Restaurant on the Village Green at Freshfield Village. The event takes place from 4 until 7 p.m.
An African safari, oceanfront condo vacation at Seabrook Island and other items will be up for bid at a silent auction while the Cobblestone Quartet performs live jazz music. All proceeds will support Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, which provides free medical care to those in need on Johns, James and Wadmalaw islands.
 
Freshfields Village, 149 Village Green Lane John’s Island, SC 29455.
Call 843.768.6491   or visit www.Freshfieldsvillage.com for more information.

Beach, Boogie and BBQ – Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach always celebrates the end of the summer season with a big party combining three of our favorite pastimes – Beach fun, music and good food!
 
 
 
 

Things to Do in South Carolina – August 2011

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It’s been really hot and humid lately, but don’t worry, we have found many cool events in South Carolina for the month of August. The Arts and Craft festival in Myrtle Beach is inside the convention center – which right now doesn’t seem like such a bad. There is also a lot of music events in August. Cool off on the pier in Mount Pleasant while dancing the night away or head to Folly Beach fishing pier for the Moonlight Mixer or Fishing Tournament.

Here are a few ideas for what you can do with the family in South Carolina. 

Escape the heat

 

Craftmen’s Summer Classic Arts & Crafts Festival – Myrtle Beach

This arts and crafts festival at Myrtle Beach convention Center on Aug 5 – 7, 2011,   features original work from over 250 talented artists and crafts people. All juried exhibitors’ work has been handmade by the exhibitors and must be their own original design and creation. Visitors get the opportunity to study the creative process in action.  Many  exhibitors are demonstrating their craft in their booths. A Southeastern Tourism Society “Top 20 Event” and a Sunshine Artist Magazine “100 Best Classic & Contemporary Arts & Crafts Festival” winner. 

Admission: $7/Adult, $1/Child (6-12), Under 6 Free. Click here to get $1 off coupon to use at the door.

Hours: Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Call 336-282-5550 for more information.

 

Mt Pleasant, SC
Dance the night away in Mount Plesant, SC

 

Shaggin’ on the Cooper – Mount Pleasant Pier

Dance the night away under the stars at the foot of the scenic Mount Pleasant when Pier 17 South plays beach music on Saturday, August 6 from 7:00 pm. Enjoy a cool ocean breeze and take in the view of Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge. Beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Only 800 tickets will be sold for this event, advance purchase is recommended.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
7 – 11 p.m. Live music starts at 8.Age: 3 & up. Tickets: $10/$8 CCR Discount/$10 on-site if still available. Visit our special events page for more info.

Reggae Nights at Wannamaker County Park – Charleston, SC

On Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 7:30 – 11 p.m.  the popular band Selah Dubb performs at Wannamaker County Park. Head out to the park with the whole gang to enjoy traditional roots reggae with a new school attitude under the stars. Visit our Reggae Nights page

Wine Stroll

 

Wine Stroll at Middleton Place – Charleston, SC

Every Wednesday in August,  Middleton Place will host wine tastings in a different gardens from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

Middleton Place is known for having America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Now you can sample a variety of wines while taking an evening stroll in the gardens. Tickets are $15 per adult.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

 

Moonlight Mixer – Folly Beach, SC

Spend time with your special someone and dance the night away at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. DJ Jim Bowers of 1340 The Boardwalk will play all of the hottest oldies and beach music classics. Friday, August 12, 2011 from 7 – 11 p.m. More information about the Moonlight Mixer here.

Folly Beach Pier

 

Folly Pier Fishing Tournament

Great fishing is always available at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, the second largest pier on the East Coast. On Saturday, August 20th, it’s time for a special tournament. Online registration is available, but ends Aug 18. Onsite registration is available August 20 beginning at 6:00 a.m. Prizes are awarded for the largest catch in the King Mackerel category and the three largest catches in the Big Fish category.

Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For details, call the Folly Beach Fishing Pier at (843) 588-3474. Ages 3 & up. Tournament held rain or shine. Fee: $12/$9 CCR Discount and $7 ages 3-12 CCR & NCR; $14/$12 CCR Discount (King Mackerel). More info at www.ccprc.com

Reggae Nights Concert – James Island County Park

The park comes alive when Jah Works brings the sounds of the islands! Bring a chair or blanket and rock the night away. Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 7:30 – 11 p.m.
Click here for more information about Reggae Nights.

Yappy Hour – James Island County Park

This is a fun event for both dogs and dog owners. Bring best four-legged friend to the park after work! Enjoy live music, beverages and meeting other local dog owners.  Thursday, August 25, 2011from 5 – 8 p.m.Free with regular park gate admission. More information at www.ccprc.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things to Do in Georgia – August 2011

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August is the month when kids go back to school and life returns to normal for many parents. But here on the coast Summer is far from over. Actually August is usually one of our hottest months, so there is no surprise that the month offers both cool jazz and and a beach music festival.

Savannah is a special place in the summer with its beautiful squares and gorgeous architecture. In the summer, downtown is usually filled with people from all corners of the world and the city takes on an international atmosphere.  

It’s always a pleasure to visit the riverfront in downtown Savannah, especially in the summer.  Lot’s of people, and lots of fun.  

SAVANNAH

2009 Heirloom Tomatoes

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
August 2, 2011
Restaurant Cha-Bella is inviting all tomato-lovers to the 2nd Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival – a special evening of heirloom tomato celebration. This event offers 14 different kinds of organic heirloom tomatoes. A four course killer tomato meal is available for $29.  Email farmboxharvest@cha-bella.c​om to reserve your seat – space is limited and will fill up fast. Call 912.790.7888 for more information.

 

First Friday Oyster Roast & Fireworks
August 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm 

Savannah Westin Hotel, GeorgiaThe Westin Savannah Harbor hosts a riverside evening celebration with live music, libations and hot fresh grill items & oysters for the first Friday every month. Call 912.201.2000 for more information or visit www.westinsavannah.com

Cigar Box Guitar Concert
August 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Come to a free concert with local blues/slide guitarists Eric Culberson, Georgia Kyle and Roy Swindell at The Ships of the Sea Museum Garden. The musicians will play Museum-model cigar box guitars in advance of the cigar box guitar making workshop on August 20. Video appearances by Richard Leo Johnson and Scott Ainslie. Refreshments available. More information at www.shipsofthesea.org or call 912.232.1511

 

Jazz it Up on the River
August 13, 2011 at 5 pm. 
Jazz – Just Across The River presents, Barbara Rosene In Johnny Mercer Tribute at the Westin Savannah Harbor. 
Barbara Rosene, who is the vocalist with the Harry James Orchestra will perform a tribute to the master of lyric, Johnny Mercer. Recently Ms. Rosene has been touring with The Harry James Big Band led by Fred Radke. They have been visiting cities all over America and Canada including performances at The Montreal Jazz Festival. 

The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. For more info call: 912.920.1317

 

Low Country Boil at the Fort
August 27, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm.

This annual event is the only fundraiser for this National Historic Landmark and Georgia’s oldest brick fortification – Old Fort Jackson in Savannah. The event includes a silent auction, live music, a low country boil, and programming for kids and adults. Admission is free. Call 912.232.3945 for more information.

 

Something Old, Something New…
August 28, 2011 from noon  – 4 pm. 
Planning a wedding soon? This event will feature service providers for limousine, photography, music, flowers and rental furniture and equipment. See the very latest in fashions and wedding attire in the fashion show and experience culinary delights created by the Richmond Hill City Center team. The event takes place in Richmond Hill at the Richmond Hill City Center. Call 912.445.0043 for more information. Tickets $5.00 at the door.

ST SIMONS ISLAND

St. Simons is also busy in the summer.  In the evenings, lots of people walk down to the pier to watch the sunset or the fishermen.  If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two.

Jazz in the Park
August 28, 2011 

The Jazz in the park series at the lawn of St. Simons Lighthouse has become a favorite summer event in the Golden Isles area. This month the concert takes place on Sunday, August 28 when  Just Jazz Quintet is performing. Read more about the event on our page for Jazz in the Park

JEKYLL ISLAND

Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island, GA
August 12 – 13, 2011  

To me nothing says summer more than beach music.   The Jekyll Island Beach Music festival is held in Great Dunes Park which is the new park that was built on Jekyll Island. Everyone’s favorite beach music band “The Swingin’ Medallions” is performing again this year.  

Check out our video from the event on the special page for Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island.