Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Thanksgiving in Savannah, Georgia

by

Many of us have friends and family visiting for Thanksgiving and you might be looking at something fun to do with your gang for the weekend. How about a trip to Savannah? Savannah is always a beautiful city to visit with its many squares, hanging spanish moss and charming Riverstreet and City Market. During the holiday season there’s a lot going on. This weekend it’s the kick off weekend for the Savannah Holly Days as well.

Just take a look at this list.


Savannah Harbour Festival of Lights 
Nov 23, 2012 – Jan 1, 2012 

The Road Course at Savannah Harbor on Hutchinson Island will become a twinkling winter wonderland, with over 60 larger-than-life lighted, holiday-themed displays. This holiday lights event is destined to become a Savannah holiday tradition for years to come. 

The light displays will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 6 – 9 pm, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Park at the Pit and Paddock at the end of the drive-through and partake in a variety of festive family-friendly activities, snack on tasty treats, warm up by the bonfire with hot chocolate and a s’more and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the holidays. Walk-through, trolley and horse-and-carriage rides are also available. 

Special weekend programming is scheduled throughout the season to enhance this experience and includes an opening ceremony with the arrival of Santa who will illuminate the lights, live scenes from A Christmas Carol, exotic animal shows and entertainment from Staples Safari and the second annual Alive in Savannah on New Year’s weekend.

Admission: $20 per car (which includes a $5 food and beverage voucher); $5 per person in commercial vehicles.

Call 912.220.6108 for more information or visit SavannahHarborFestivalofLights.com

 

Savannah Westin Hotel, GeorgiaSavannah Harbor Foundation Gingerbread Village
Nov 22 – Dec 21, 2012 


Take a trip to the Westin to see not just a house, but an entire Village! This is a popular destination for the younger kids. This display of culinary delights is created anew each year by local chefs, students, community groups. This is a can’t-miss for anyone with a sweet spot for candy delights and holiday cheer! Viewing November 22 through December 21, 2012.

Aqua Star at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. call  912.201.2000

Georgia State Railroad Train Rides
Nov 23 – Dec 25, 2012 

Come to the Georgia State Railroad Museum, which features diesel locomotive rides with admission to the museum. The train rides schedule and locomotives are subject to change, please call ahead. Call  912.651.2338 or visit www.chs.org

Fort Pulaski Grand Thanksgiving Fete and Festival
Nov 24, 2012 


Fort Pulaski National Monument will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Grand Thanksgiving Fete and Festival of 1862 on Saturday, November 24, 2012. The event will recreate the field day offered by the 48th New York Infantry to celebrate their first Thanksgiving in Fort Pulaski. 

Everyone is encouraged to participate in foot races, sack races and wheelbarrow races. Amusements of the day will include guided tours of the fort and historic weapons demonstrations.

The event will also be an opportunity to try on clothing of the Civil War era. All are encouraged to participate in the “burlesque dress parade.” There will be clothing for men, women, and children, as well as accessories for the proper period look. Call 912.786.5787 or visit http://www.nps.gov/fopu for more info. $5 per person, 15 and under free.

Savannah Harbor Foundation’s Annual Boat Parade of Lights
Nov 24, 2012 

A Christmas Parade – Savannah Style! A Christmas parade, Savannah style! About 50 lighted vessels parade both sides of the waterfront, accompanied by live music performances, tree lighting ceremony and a fireworks extravaganza.  912.201.2201

Fun things to do in Georgia in October

by

When it’s October, fall festival season is in full swing. October  means seafood festivals, lots of football, fall festivals, Oktoberfest and then we top it all off with Halloween.

Pirate Fest, Tybee Island, GA

 

Oktoberfest on the River – Savannah, GA

October 5 – October 7, 2012
 Savannah always has an exciting  Oktoberfest on Riverstreet. This festival has everything you expect from beer garden, to Oompah band and the popular Wienerdog race.
Visit our special events page for Oktoberfest on the River

Tybee Island Pirate Fest -Tybee Island, GA

October 4 – 7, 2012
Quickly change from lederhosen to peg leg and eye patch because as soon as the Oompah band stops playing, the pirates take over the whole island of Tybee. It’s time for the popular Pirate Fest on October 4 – 7, 2012. Check out our special events page for Tybee Island Pirate Fest.

Hand on learning

 

CoastFest 2012 – Brunswick, GA

October 6, 2012

Learn more about the coastal landscape, the marshes, and the life in the ocean in this very special annual festival perfect for families with young children. Touch tank, arts & crafts, living history events and lots of learning for free. Read more here.

 

 

Rock Shrimp Festival – St Marys, GA

October 6, 2012
This annual festival celebrates the Rock shrimp with a big party in downtown St. Marys. Lots of fun for the whole family with parade, 5K run, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and more. The highlight is of course the rock shrimp dinner! Watch our video from the festival here.

 

The Great Ogechee Seafood Festival – Richmond Hill, GA

October 19-21, 2012
There’s another seafood festival in Georgia in October. This time, head to Richmond Hill outside Savannah for lots of fun for the whole family. Find out more here – The Great Ogechee Seafood Festival.

Shalom Y’All Jewish Food Festival

 

Shalom Y’all – Jewish Food Festival – Savannah, GA

October 28, 2012
There is another food festival in Georgia this month. This festival takes place in Forsyth Park. Come explore Jewish food. Find out more on our special page for Shalom Y’all – Jewish Food Festival – Savannah

 

Savannah Film Festival

October 27 – November 3, 2012
This year the Savannah film festival is celebrating 15 years.  The festival kicks off at the end of October, check out our special events page for Savannah Film Festival.

 

Wait… There is more to read…

 

Datil Pepper Festival

Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic

Concourse d’Elegance – Hilton Head Island, SC

Labor Day Weekend in coastal Georgia

by

Labor Day is always a big deal in coastal Georgia with lots of fun things to do on the coast with festivals and events.Savannah is always a great city to visit. When the weather is hot and humid you feel transported back to the “good old days” when women wore long skirts, men hats and everyone traveled by horse carriage. At least that’s what it seems like when you watch movies. Speaking of which, Savannah has been the backdrop to many Hollywood films. There are even tours focusing on the movie history of the old city. Savannah is a great city for a walking. Just take your time and enjoy the beautiful architecture and the many squares and gardens. Besides the Riverfront, we always enjoy visiting the City Market. Lots of places to eat or just hang out, and lots of people to watch. The most popular event for Labor Day is probably the beer festival, Savannah Craft Brew Fest.

 

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

 

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

This event has grown over the years and has become one of the most popular fall events in Savannah. At Savannah Craft Brew Fest you get the opportunity to try 130 different kinds of beer, and lots more. Rub elbows with beer enthusiasts from all over the Southeast, and talk to brewers from all over the country. This event takes place August 26 – September 2, 2012.

Get the details on our special events page for Savannah Craft Brew Fest.

 

Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island

Labor Day is traditionally the time of year when we should say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall. That seems a bit too early for us here on the coast, we still have plenty of beach weather ahead. In any case, if you are determined to spend as much time on the beach as possible this weekend — head to Tybee Island. Tybee is located a short 20 minute drive outside Savannah. It’s actually a pretty cool drive too. You travel across the vast marshland before you reach the island itself. 

The Labor Day Beach Bash takes place on September 3, 2012. You can get more details about the event on our page for Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee Island, GA.

 

 

 

Kingsland Catfish Festival 

South of Savannah and just north of Jacksonville on the other side of the border is where Kingsland, GA, is located. If you live in Jacksonville, this is a perfect day trip. You can even visit the small historic city of St. Marys first, take a stroll in the park or relax at the waterfront. From St. Marys you can take the boat over to Cumberland Island, but call first, this boat can be booked during big weekends. Kingsland CVB can answer all your questions about the area.

Just call them at 1-800-433-0225 or visit visitkingsland.com

This is the biggest festival in Camden County, attracting about 65,000 people over the weekend. The festival takes place in downtown Kingsland September 3 – 5, 2011, and includes a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and much more. The biggest attraction is the fried catfish dinner. Get all the details here.

 

Here is our video from the event.

 

 

Fun Things To Do in June on the Coast

by

In the Coastal Companion Calendar of our TV show “I Know Jax” broadcasting on CW17 on Saturdays at 11 pm,  we take a look at what’s happening on the coast in the area.  

Savannah Asian Festival in June

One of the most popular cultural festivals on the coast is coming up in June, the Savannah Asian Festival. This yearly one-day festival attracts about 60,000 people, so you know it’s a popular event.

Here you can sample exotic cuisines from across the continent. Local restaurants, will be cooking up favorite dishes from Polynesia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. In addition, there’s a variety of martial arts and dance performances, and live music on stage from artists representing different countries.

There’s also traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. From hand made jewelry to calligraphy sets, paintings, hand-beaded clothing, henna body painting, and even a workshop on Asian and Middle Eastern Tea Ceremonies. The festival takes place on June 23 at the Savannah Civic Center, located at Montgomery and Liberty Streets. Parking at the Civic Center is free for the day. Read more about Savannah Asian Festival here.

Greek Festival

Greek Landing Day Festival – St. Augustine, Fl

Maybe you already know that St Augustine, Florida has a strong historic tie with Greece and Greek culture. In June the community celebrates the 244th anniversary of the arrival of the first colony of Greeks in North America. Hundreds of Greeks, Menorcans and Corsicans arrived in St. Augustine on June 26, 1768 and went on to establish what was called the New Smyrna Colony.

If you haven’t tried greek food before, this is your chance. My favorite is baklava, but I also enjoy spanakopita and mousaka.

Visit the so called “Glendi” for a celebration of music, food and dancing during the Greek Landing Day Festival June 22 – 24, 2012. Admission is free.

The St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine is located at 41 St. George Street in St. Augustine.

For more information, call 904-829-8205

 

Daufuskie Day in South Carolina

Another heritage festival in our area is the annual Daufuskie Day in South Carolina. This festival was organized by islanders to preserve the gullah heritage. this year it’s the 36th year for the festival where you can taste authentic Gullah cuisine, and learn more about the culture.

You can take a boat from Savannah or from Hilton Head Island.  Daufuskie day takes place on June 23.

For more information visit www.daufuskieislandfoundation.com

National Get Outdoors Day – Free Admission

by

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.* This is part of the promotion to get families outdoors more often, so maybe this would be a good time for you to pack a picnic and go visit a park with your family or group of friends. National Get Outdoors Day takes place on June 9, 2012, you can visit some of our parks for free. 

Please check with each park for operating hours and event schedules.

South Carolina
Fort Sumter National Monument

Florida
Canaveral National Seashore
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Gulf Islands National Seashore

Georgia
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Fort Frederica National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Read More:

National Outdoors Day at Fort Pulaski in Savannah, GA