Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Fourth of July Weekend in Georgia

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Fourth of July Events in Georgia 2010

4th of July fireworks at Tybee Island, GA

There are lots of fun things to do in coastal Georgia for the Fourth of July weekend. Many cities start their celebration of Independence Day already on the 3rd of July this year. This means that you can actually enjoy fireworks and events all weekend long and make the weekend an extraordinary birthday bash for the country.

SATURDAY JULY 3, 2010

Fireworks Tybee Island Pier
Get an early start for the  Fourth of July weekend and head out to Tybee Island. Here the party starts already on Saturday July 3, 2010, with fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion.
Call 912-786-5444 for more information.

4th of July Festival in St. Marys, Georgia

Independence Day Festival, St Marys, Georgia
Please note that this year, St Marys celebrates the 4th of July already on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010. Come visit historic downtown St Marys, GA, for a delightful Independence Day complete with parade and fireworks. Fireworks at dusk.  For more information call 912.882-4000

Cannons Across the Marsh, Fort King George, Darien
On Saturday- July 3, 2010 from 10am-4pm, Fort King George State Historic Site will be hosting their annual Cannons Across the Marsh celebration in honor of Independence Day.  Artillery and musket firings will be going on throughout the day.  Free watermelon and lemonade will be served.  Also, Boston Butts will be sold at $25 and may be picked up on the 3rd.  RSVPs for Boston Butts are being accepted now and must be received no later than June 30th.  Additionally, BBQ sandwiches will be sold during the day on Saturday the 3rd.

Fort King George State Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd. SE, Darien, GA  31305

Call (912) 437-4770 or www.gastateparks.org/fortkinggeorge

Sunday July 4, 2010

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Brunswick, GA
Come to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick for an Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2010, for the whole family.  Lots of fun with games, contests, free watermelon and much more. Fireworks at dusk. Downtown Brunswick. Contact 912-265-4032

Jekyll Island Beach, Georgia

Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show, St Simons Island, Georgia
This annual arts and crafts festival takes place in Postell Park in the village. Come and get inspiration for your next art project, or find that perfect gift! Painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, garden art, wood craft, photography, sculpture, sweetgrass baskets, art glass and much much more.

Fireworks July 4.  July 2 – 4, 2010. Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show. Pier Village Parks, St. Simons Island. Pier Village Association. Call 912-262-0628. Fireworks on St Simon’s at 9 pm!

Fourth of July Celebration – Jekyll Island, GA
Jekyll Island is a gorgeous island to visit, so if you have friends and family in town, it might be a great idea to head out to the beach on Jekyll Island.  Every year Jekyll Island hosts a family-fun party at the Beachdeck . The fireworks finale is said to be one of the best in the area. Click here to read more about the Jekyll Island Fourth of July Extravaganza

For more information call 877-4-JEKYLL

Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia

Fantastic Fourth of July on River Street, Savannah, GA
In Savannah, the celebration takes place on River Street in the downtown district.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in River Street style in Savannah, Georgia. The party starts at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more. Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.
Call 912.234.0295 or visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Click here to read all about Fourth of July events in Savannah

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2010

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The 2010 Jacksonville Jazz Festival features renowned performances throughout the weekend on Main Street, Hemming Plaza, Snyder Memorial Church, The Jacksonville Landing (Friday and Saturday only), Riverside Arts Market (Saturday only), Laura St. and various downtown businesses and buildings.

This FREE festival transforms into a vibrant setting with multiple entertainment stages and other components including the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition (ticketed); Art in the Heart Downtown Art Show & Sale; the Wine Down Tasting Experience (ticketed); Generation Next Youth Talent Competition; Jazz ABZ exhibit at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens; Jazz Juniors educational activities at the Main Library; Jazz Talks and displays at MOCA Jacksonville and much more.

The ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam, Sunday Jazz Brunches and a parade in the streets are also included as highlights of the festival.

Click here for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival Map

Art in the Heart of Downtown Jacksonville

THE ART IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN ART SHOW & SALE
210 Art in the Heart of Downtown art show and sale will feature the work of talented artists and master craftspeople from around the country. Festival patrons will enjoy both the sounds of first-rate jazz performers and browse through the work of talented artists from around the nation- all in a vibrant street festival setting.

Friday, May 28: 5-10 p.m./ Judging 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 29: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 30: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

wine down tasting experience at jacksonville jazz festivalWine Down Tasting Experience

The Wine Down Tasting Experience is a complement to the displays of fine art and the sounds of jazz during the festival. Tasting Tickets are $20. Participants can purchase a Tasting Ticket for at the point of entry to this special region to receive a souvenir wine glass and 6 samplings of featured wines. An additional 5 tastes can also be purchased for $15.


FRIDAY MAY 28
Festival hours 5-10 p.m.

Swingin’ Stage (Corner of Main and Adams Streets)
Sonny Fortune Quartet – 5 p.m.
Basia – 7 p.m.
Tito Puente Jr. & his Orchestra – 9 p.m.

Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing)
University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1 and Faculty featuring legendary saxophonist Bunky Green - 5 p.m.
The Jazz Divas featuring Brenda Kelly, Peggie Black & Pat Blaylock - 6:30 p.m.
Buckwheat Zydeco - 8:30 p.m.

Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)
Navy Band Southeast VIP Combo - 5 p.m.
C1 Jazz Band - 6:30 p.m.
Mpact - 8:30 p.m.

Old Church (Snyder Memorial Church)
Space is limited in this venue.

Von Barlow’s Jazz Journey - 6 p.m.
A musical tribute to late Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Famer Teddy Washington - 8 p.m.

SATURDAY MAY 29
Festival hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Swingin’ Stage (Corner of Main and Adams Streets)
 Snitzer, Maysa, Gerald Veasley, Buddy Williams and Jason Miles, musical director - 3:30 p.m.
Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra – 5:30 p.m.
Ledisi – 7:30 p.m.
Chris Botti with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra – 9:30 p.m.

Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing)
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble 1 – 11 a.m.
Traci Wynn – 12:30 p.m.
Noel Freidline Quintet – 4 p.m.
Tim Bowman with special guest Darren Rahn - 5:30 p.m.
Bernie Williams – 7:30 p.m
Spanish Harlem Orchestra – 9:30 p.m.

Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)
BK Jackson – Noon
Isaac Byrd, Jr. and Tribe Judah – 1:30 p.m.
Jordyn Jackson – 3:30 p.m.
Terry “Doc” Handy featuring John “Lil John” Lumpkin, Alfred Waters, Jarvis Brown, Marco Panascia, Dave Champagne, Michael Emmert and Chris Creswell – 5:30 p.m.
JB Scott’s Swingin’ Allstars – 7:30 p.m.
The Joe Baione Trio – 9:30 p.m.

Old Church (Snyder Memorial Church)
Space is limited in this venue.

Generation Next Youth Talent Competition
First Round, 11:30 a.m.
Finals, 2:30 p.m.
Paul Rucker’s Clay Pieces - 5 p.m.
Improvised cello performance inspired by original clay sculptures created by the audience. Clay will be provided for this special interactive performance
First Coast Brass (formerly Maisontet Brass) - 6:30 p.m.

Riverside Arts Market
WestJax Jazz Ensemble – 10:30 a.m.
ot Wilder and Barry Greene, 12:30 p.m
Round Midnight Jazz Jam (Omni Jacksonville Hotel-Offical Host Hotel) Hosted by The Kelly/Scott Quintet featuring Lisa Kelly, JB Scott, Jeff Phillips, Dennis Marks & Danny Gottlieb - 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

SUNDAY MAY 30
Festival Hours 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Swingin’ Stage (Corner of Main and Adams Streets)

The Superstars of Jazz Fusion featuring Roy Ayers, Tom Browne, Wayne Henderson, Ronnie Laws and Lonnie Liston Smith – Noon
Preservation Hall Jazz Band – 2:30 p.m.
St. Johns River City Band with special guest Maceo Parker – 4:30 p.m
Patti LaBelle – 6:30 p.m.

Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)

John Ricci Quartet – 2:30 p.m.
Joe Watts – 4:30 p.m.
BayStreet – 6:30 p.m.

Old Church (Snyder Memorial Church)
Space is limited in this venue.

Sacred Jazz featuring the Noel Freidline Quintet and the Jacksonville Mass Choir Noon & 2:30 p.m. (two shows)

Paul Rucker’s Clay Pieces, 5 p.m. Improvised cello performance inspired by original clay sculptures created by the audience. Clay will be provided for this special interactive performance.

Pirate Parade at Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

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The Isle of Eight Flags shrimp festival in Fernandina, Amelia Island, Florida,  draws a huge crowd every year, but the festivities kick off early with a fun and festive parade. Here you’ll see all kinds of floats and costumes,from dancing shrimp, to dancers, live bands, music, soldiers and of course the always popular pirates. This time they even managed to scare our camera man. Check out this video and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
(Click here to read our previous post about the Fernandina Shrimp Festival)

Beach Bum Parade 2010 – Tybee Island, Georgia

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Tybee Island Beach Bum parade is not your ordinary parade. This one is unique and special. The parade itself really understands how to celebrate the beginning of summer and is something something locals and maybe especially the younger crowd long for every year. Why? It’s simple. It’s all about fun and play.

Tybee Island Beach Bum parades is like most others consisting of floats pulled behind cars and trucks. The difference is that on Tybee this is a playful water-play event for all ages between floats and spectators lined up along Butler Avenue. Spectators arm themselves with bucket, squirt guns and other water spraying weapons. This is your chance to get wet before you even set foot on the beach!

Tybee Island is located just outside Savannah, Georgia. The parade takes place on May 21, 2010 and starts at 6 p.m.

For more information call (800) 868-2322 or click here to visit the website

World of Nations Celebration – Jacksonville, Fl

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Have you ever dreamed of traveling to far away countries and exotic places? If you happen to be in Jacksonville in the spring time, you can become a globetrotter without needing a passport or a plane ticket. Pack your bags and bring your family, friends and neighbors to Metropolitan Park for an exciting adventure around the world.

During the 18th annual World of Nations Celebration, held April 29 – May 2, 2010, Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from throughout the world. With more than 30 countries represented, the festival provides a unique look into cultures from across the globe.

The City of Jacksonville and the event organizers will bring the world to you showcasing sights, sounds, and tastes of different nations within your reach. Embark on an exciting journey, traveling throughout the park where travelers may see nations and regions such as Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Haiti, India, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain,Taiwan, Turkey, U.S.A., Venezuela and Vietnam.

Other happenings during the weekend:

Naturalization Ceremony
You can witness the commemorative ceremony when people are sworn in as United States citizens.

Parade of Flags
The inspirational Parade of Flag takes place on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Kids of different nationalities dressed in traditional clothing from different countries carry their native flags in the parade.

World of Entertainment
Come to the festival and experience talents from many different countries, see folk dance, listen to music and more.

Passport to the World
To get you and your kids feel like real world travelers, make sure to pick up your official passport to the world. Each country will stamp your passport during your exploration and at the end of the day, you can turn in your passports at the booth near the main entrance for a chance to win prizes.

USA Pavilion – Going Green!
Learn how you can activly participate to help the environment at the 2010 USA Pavilion.

Hours
Thursday, April 29
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registered Field Trips only)
Friday, April 30
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Registered Field Trips only)
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. International Party
Saturday, May 1: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 2: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Admission:
One-Day Ticket to the World: $5.00
Two-Day Pass: $8.00
International Party: FREE!
(Friday, April 30 from 5-9 p.m.)
Children Three & Under: FREE
Visit www.coj.net or call (904) 630-3690 for more information.