Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Oktoberfest in Savannah, GA

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Dust off the Tyrolean hat and lederhosen – it’s time for the party of the season in Savannah. We visited last year, and we can assure you that River Street in Savannah knows how to celebrate Oktoberfest. This festival takes place on October 2-4, 2009.

There will live performances, clogging, games, fireworks, arts and crafts and Bratwurst tasting. Speaking of sausage, our all-time favorite event is back – Wiener Dog Racing. Oktoberfest would not be complete without.

beerI don’t know how anyone can resist such a magnificent celebration of German heritage. This festival has it all; oompah band, bratwurst, wiener dogs and to top it all off – they even promise that you get to participate in the chicken dance.

New for this year is the River Street Beer Garden, it’s the perfect spot to show off your Oktoberfest fashion.

Judging from what the action-packed program has to offer, plan to come early and stay late.

The 10th Annual Wiener Dog Races will take place at Morrell Park (near the Waving Girl) again this year. Registration begins at 8am and the races begin at 10am!

For more information about the festival, visit http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com

St Augustine Cycling Festival 2009

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St. Augustine Cycling Festival 2009
If you love to watch Tour de France and bicycle racing on TV, this is your chance to experience the same excitement live. If  you’re a devoted cyclist you definitely don’t want to miss this event. Come to St. Augustine to watch – or maybe even to ride – in a real bicycle race.

The festival is a two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th, 2009.

Bicycle Expo
The expo takes place at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Saturday noon to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Here you can test ride bicycles from a number of manufacturers and shop for bikes, cycling apparel, accessories and training services.
Food and beverages will be available. Hang around for a free Endless Summer at the Amphitheatre at 7 p.m. in the evening.

The Criterium
Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. until 6:30 PM.
The Criterium, aka “Crit”, race will take place on a brand new challenging 0.6 mile course around the St. John’s County Office Complex.

This is an exciting bike race for spectators! Watch the most intense of bike races with competitors riding at 25mph plus and skillfully turning corners. The Criterium race is held on a short course.

Time Trial
Sunday, September 13. Registration beings at 6:30 am with racing beginning at 7:30.am.
The Individual Time Trial, aka “ITT”, race will take place on a brand new course at Bartram High School in St. Johns, FL.

The Individual Time Trial is a road race in which cyclists race “alone” against the clock, drafting is not allowed. Starting times are at equal intervals, usually 30 seconds to 1 minute apart.

Road Race
Sunday, June 13 beginning at Noon.
The Road race will take place on a brand new course in St. Johns, FL and the start/finish line is at Bartram Trail High School.

To get more information or to register for the racing events, visit www.floridacycling.com.

20th Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride
On Sunday, Sept. 13th, the 20th Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride takes place. This is a classic one-day cycling event perfect for experienced road riders, touring, intermediate and beginner cyclists alike.
Ride distances are 35, 56, 68 and 104 miles and primarily traverse lightly traveled country roads.

The ride is presented by the North Florida Bicycle club and is fully supported with well-stocked rest stops, SAG vehicles, bike shop mechanics and motorcycle escorts.

Click to visit the website

Bicycle Race

Cooper River Bridge Run 2009 Charleston, SC

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Running across the bridge must be an extraordinary experience, and this is exactly what you can do if you participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston on April 4th, 2009. The popular race goes across the bridge and further. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is 2.5 miles long and 200 feet high . The slope is 4%. The towers stand 550 feet tall. The bridge offers an amazing view of Charleston and surrounding areas.

This is definitely one of the big sporting events in Charleston during the year. Thousands of runners participate in this well-known race.
Take a look at the video below for more information.

For more information about the race, visit www.Bridgerun.com

Vystar 5K Run – Jacksonville, Florida

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The VyStar 5K Run is a great way to get involved with all the excitement surrounding the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl event in Jacksonville. If running or walking is your thing, don’t miss this exciting race. The Vystar 5K is held right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along portions of the parade route through downtown Jacksonville. It’s a great experience. Runners and spectators can enjoy live music, free beer, dancing and just down right partying inside the Jacksonville Landing right after the race. Each entrant will receive a colorful VyStar 5K Run T-shirt. Cost: Cost: $20, $30 on race day
click here for the race map.

For more information vist 1st Place Sports website or call 904-731-1900
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
1:30 PM at The Jacksonville Landing

Green and Lean 5K – Charleston, SC

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Join us for the Third Annual Green and Lean 5K on November 8, 2008.

Once again, Keep Charleston Beautiful has teamed up with Lowcountry Earth Force to sponsor the 3rd Annual Green and Lean 5K. This year’s race is certified and is scheduled for November 8th. All proceeds benefit our environmental education programs, so put on your running shoes and race for a good cause.

For more information call 843-579-7501 or visit out website at www.charlestoncity.info