Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Independence Day in Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida

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Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival – Fernandina, Amelia Island, FL

What better way to celebrate America’s independence than the Stars and Stripes Festival in Fernandina, Florida? The festival takes place in Amelia Island’s Central Park and begins with a patriotic parade down Centre Street at 7:00 p.m. in the historic district; followed by a barrage of fireworks to conclude the festivities.

This annual observance of America’s liberation takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Bring the whole family to the park for lots of activities and fun. First and foremost, there’s the Touch-A-Truck Public Safety display. Here you, or your little ones, can get hands on, up close and personal look at a number of fascinating vehicles. There will be fire trucks, police cars, garbage trucks, excavators – even an 18 wheel log truck and helicopter is scheduled. The vehicles on display come from the City of Fernandina Beach Police, Fire/Rescue and Streets Departments, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and Fire/Rescue, Florida Highway Patrol, Coast Guard, and more.
This event is a sure hit with the younger ones.

Other activities include a Parent-Child Look-A-Like Contest. Sign up starting at 10 a.m., the contest itself at 1:00 p.m. I thought about asking one of my teenagers to participate with me, but I’m sure the answer would be a “No Way”. So instead I had my hopes up for the All American Apple Pie Contest. It turns out that you have to bake pies, so I quickly crossed that off my list. Then there’s of course the usual stuff with Fun for the Kids playground, food, arts and crafts vendors.

Also the band FACE FOR RADIO, will perform on the Pirate Ship Stage during the festival.

Festival goers are invited to wear red, white and blue for the Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival Parade starting at 7 p.m. After the parade, everyone will gather in front of the Depot to enjoy music in the spirit of Independence Day by the community choir, the Sine Nomine Singers and the New Horizons Band of the Amelia Arts Academy.

After dark, it’s time to find a spot to watch the fireworks. The fireworks exhibition can be viewed to the south of the Fernandina Harbor Marina at approximately 9:30 p.m. A perfect close to a perfect day.

More information, concert agenda, and applications for the contests can be found at www.shinybadgesball.com.

hand-fireworks
Click here to visit our events calendar for Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival in Fernandina, Amelia Island, Florida

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009 Bigger and Better

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This year the Jazz Festival offers free performances from renowned artists Roberta Flack, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Chris Botti, Boney James, Stanley Clarke Trio, Jazz Attack, Joe Sample & Patti Austin, Jimmy Cobb, Guitars & Saxes, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Latin Jazz All Stars, Mindi Abair, Dr. John & the Lower 911, Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet and many more!

Art in the Heart of Downtown
But this festival offers more than great jazz music. There’s also “Arts in the Heart of Downtown”, where you can enjoy art while listening to jazz music. The art event is open all festival days.

Wine Down
For those of us who enjoy wine tasting, there’s a special event during the Jazz Festival.
It’s called Wine Down and takes place in Hemming Plaza on Saturday May 23 as well. Taste Tickets are $15, and you’ll get to sample eight wines and receive a complimentary glass. Jazz and wine tasting, not a bad combo!

Young Jazz Musicians Competition
Come watch a live competition. Young jazz musicians will showcase their talents for the chance to win a music scholarship. Jazz talents between the ages of 7-21 auditioned for the competition to be held during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be used to further his or her music education.

Location: Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing Courtyard)
Saturday, May 23
First Round 1:30 p.m.- Finals 5:30 p.m.
Free admission

CHOPS, A Documentary
This award-winning documentary film tells the story of a group of young, talented musicians who learn to make the most of their gifts in an acclaimed jazz program at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. We follow their musical journey to New York City where they compete at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival against the top high school jazz bands in the nation. Win or lose, the experience puts them at the threshold of their dream and reveals their incredible personal and musical growth.

CHOPS – watch the trailer!

Saturday, May 23
Doors open 1:30 p.m. Showtimes: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts (Jacoby Symphony Hall). Free Admission

Jazz Parade
Saturday, May 23 at 3 p.m.
No festival is complete without a parade. This is of course a special jazz parade down Laura Street from Hemming Plaza to The Jacksonville Landing. The parade is led by the St. Johns River City Dixieland Band. Everyone is encouraged to bring their instruments and parasols. What about jazz hands?

Jacksonville florida

Jazz Juniors
Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24
Bring the kids to Jacksonville Landing for jazz fun. Jazz Juniors is a variety of fun, learning activities to introduce young hearts and minds to the world of jazz.
There’s even an instrument “Petting Zoo” where children are introduced to each family of instruments and can play them.
In front of The Jacksonville Landing – (on Water St./Independent Drive). Free Admission

Jazz Giants: The Photography of Herman Leonard
Experience the life of great jazz musicians in this photo exhibit by award-winning jazz photographer Herman Leonard. The exhibit includes framed prints of jazz greats including signature performances and candid moments of Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

MOCA Jacksonville, (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Free admission (to the exhibit only)
All festival days

Q&A sessions
Take part in question and answer sessions featuring jazz performers, educators, festival stakeholders and supporters.All Festival Days. Free admission

Wednesday, May 20
Mike Tolbert, Jacksonville Jazz Festival pioneer
Noon at Snyder Memorial Church
Festival pioneer and Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Famer Mike Tolbert will discuss the beginnings of the festival and why Jacksonville is so passionate about jazz.

Friday May, 22
Contemporary keyboardist Lao Tizer
8 p.m. at Main Library (inside the former Shelby’s Coffee)
Lao Tizer will discuss his performance style, influences and experiences.

Saturday, May 23
CHOPS: Behind The Scenes
4 p.m. at Times-Union Center (Jacoby Hall)
Former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts band members, band director Ace Martin and documentary director Bruce Broder will discuss their preparation for and experience at the Essentially Ellington Competition.

Need a map?

Click here to get a Printable map for the 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Parking During the Jazz Festival
Click here to get a printable map for parking for Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

Skyway is Free for the Festival
Compliments of JTA, the Skyway will be FREE for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The Skyway is the easiest way to get to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival from the Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns River – and it’s fun too. The Hemming Plaza station will drop fans in the middle of the action at the Groovin’ Stage in Hemming Plaza and the Laura Street Corridor.

The Central Station will drop festival fans just a block away from the Breezin’ Stage inside The Jacksonville Landing, near the Jazz Juniors area and the Laura Street Corridor. This stop is also located just behind the Omni Jacksonville Hotel where the ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam will be held on the Saturday night of the festival.

Skyway Hours
Friday, May 22, 6 a.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Northbank Stations

* Hemming Plaza Station (Monroe and Hogan streets)
* Central Station (Bay and Pearl streets)
* Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Station (Hogan and State streets)
* Convention Center Station (Bay and Johnson Streets)

Southbank Stations

* San Marco Station (San Marco Boulevard and Mary Street)
* Kings Avenue Station (Prudential Drive and Kings Avenue)

For more information, call (904) 630-3100 or visit www.jtafla.com.

JTA Parking
JTA Parking locations include the Prime Osborn Convention Cener lot on the Northbank and the Kings Avenue Garage on the Southbank. Park at these locations for $5 per vehicle.

Bike Valet by Bike Jax
Bike Valets are not like car valets, it’s  more like a coat check. The good thing is your bicycle will be safe while you’re having fun. You leave your bike and get  a numbered ticket and the Bike Jax staff guards your bike and accessories in a secure enclosure until you are ready leave the event. The idea behind Bike Jax valet is to promote bicycling. Many bicyclists are afraid of getting their bicycles stolen, the bike valet will help – and get more people to ride bikes. Great idea!

Friday – Sunday during festival hours
Locations:

  • Hemming Plaza (in front of City Hall St. James on Duval St.)
  • Hogan St. (between The Jacksonville Landing and the Times-Union Center

Water Taxis

Water taxis will provide service from both sides of the river during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

Hours of Operation
Thursday, May 21, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday, May 22, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Northbank Stops

* Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville Municipal Marina)
* The Jacksonville Landing

Southbank Stops

* Friendship Fountain Park
* Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront
* Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk

Fares

Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville Municipal Marina) $4 one-way. All other downtown locations $3 one-way
For more information including stop locations and group discounts, call (904) 733-3382 or e-mail ssmarinetaxi@comcast.net.

Read Coastal Companion’s previous post about The Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009

Read Coastal Companion’s Event Calendar post about The Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2009 event

Beach Bum Parade on Tybee Island, Georgia

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Who doesn’t want to be a beach bum on Tybee? It sounds like a dream. But the Beach Bum Parade is really not your regular everyday parade. They have floats just like a normal parade, but the people on the floats are armed with water guns and other “weapons”. Same with the spectators lining the street.

The Beach Bum Parade is basically a gigantic water gun fight on the streets of Tybee Island, it’s all good fun and a way to celebrate the beginning of the summer season.

The Beach Bum parade will start at 6:30 p.m. from the North Beach.   The parade will travel down the main street, ending at the fishing pier and pavilion.

visit our calendar for more information about The Beach Bum Parade on Tybee Island 2009

Beach Bum Parade

Shrimp Festival – Fernandina, Amelia Island

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Fernandina has one of the best shrimp festivals on the coast. This year it’s the 46th Anniversary and it is said that this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

Fernandina Shrimp Festival is held the first weekend in May in the Historic downtown Centre Street business district in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida.
But you don’t have to wait for the weekend. The celebration kicks off already on Thursday with an exciting Pirate Parade. This year’s Parade Theme is: “Home Grown Shrimp, the Pick of the Litter”.

At this festival you can find lots and lots of delicious shrimp. There’s also Fine Arts & Crafts, Antiques & Collectibles, Kids Korner and Live Entertainment from two stages!The festival takes place May 1st – 3rd. For more details about the Fernandina Shrimp Festival on Amelia Island, click here.
Fernandina Shrimp Festival, Amelia Island, Florida

Celebrate St Patricks Day Savannah Style!

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The 2009 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Tuesday, March 17th. It will be the 185th time the parade takes place in the city of Savannah.

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in honor of St. Patrick’s dedication to Christianity. In Savannah, the the day begins with the celebration of Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and is followed by the parade which begins at 10:15 am.

This year, more than 400,000 people are expected to come to Savannah to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Savannah St Patrick’s Day celebration is the oldest, and one of the largest, in the nation.
Every fountain within in the city is dyed green and the party happens all over the city. The parade itself is the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the United States.

click here to view the event calendar post about St Patrick’s Day Parade