Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Jekyll Island Shrimp n’ Grits Festival in Georgia

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The annual Shrimp n’ Grits festival in Jekyll Island, Georgia, is one of our favorite festivals on the coast. There is always a lot to see and do at this festival. This year it’s the 8th year for the popular Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival. If you love seafood, especially shrimp, this is the place to visit. The festival takes place in the historic district on September 19 – 21, 2014.
To kick-off the weekend, Opening Night Plate Samples will be offered on Friday, Sept. 20, with plates priced at $3 each. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival hosts two cooking contests, first, an amateur Cooking Competition and then the Professional Chef Cooking Competition. There will also be cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs.
Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island, GAFrom the Kids Fun Zone, zip lines and bounce houses, to ongoing cooking demos, shrimp eating contests and never-ending assortment of tasty finds, the 2013 Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival promises to dish up a good time for the whole family!

General admission to the festival is free.

Here is our video from when we visited the festival a while back.

Fun things to do in Georgia in October

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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

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.

Fleet Week in Mount Pleasant, SC

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Fleet Week is Mount Pleasant is an action packed gathering of events with a pelican sculpture unveiling, cooking demonstrations, free shagging lessons, wine and painting on the pier, Beer Week, Shaggin’ on the Cooper and a Starlight Pops Concert will lead up to the 25th Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival.

Fleet Week focuses on activities centering on the shrimping industry.

About Fleet Week Activity Schedule

• Old Village Post House Shrimp Cooking Demonstration Tuesday, April 24, 5:00 p.m.
One of Mount Pleasant’s favorite restaurants, the Old Village Post House will offer a shrimp cooking demonstration using farm-fresh ingredients at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market. Farmers Market Pavilion, Moultrie Middle School, Coleman Boulevard FREE Admission

• Pelican Sculpture Unveiling Wednesday, April 25, 5:00 p.m.
Shem Creek Park will be the permanent home for an educational art nine-foot tall Pelican Sculpture created by School of the Arts students using marine debris collected in local waterways. The unveiling will include SOA students who created the sculpture, along with Mount Pleasant residents and students who played a role in its creation. Mount Pleasant Shem Creek Park, Shrimp Boat Lane FREE Admission

• Charleston Craft Beer Week Event Wednesday, April 25, 5:00 p.m.
A tasting of German beers & food followed by a showing of the film “Beerfest” Cinebarre Movie Theater FREE Admission. Food and beverages available for purchase • Wine & Design Painting on the Pier Thursday, April 26, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Paint your own masterpiece with step-by-step instruction. Wine & Design has created a new painting especially for the Blessing of the Fleet. No experience necessary. Refreshments will be available. Memorial Waterfront Park & Pier $40/person (Reservations required) – 843-388-7857

• Free Shag Lessons on the Pier Friday, April 27, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Mary Kennerty, Director of Mount Pleasant Junior Cotillions and a business etiquette consultant, will teach the Charleston Shag on the pier. Come enjoy sunset in the park and get ready for a great weekend with free dance lessons. Memorial Waterfront Park & Pier FREE Admission

• Starlight Pops Concert – Charleston Symphony Orchestra Saturday, April 28,
Gates 5:30p.m., Picnic Judging 7:00 p.m., sunset show
Bring beach chairs/blankets and a picnic for this annual favorite, in a new venue this year! Great food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets on sale now in all area First Federal offices and The Grove at Patriots Point $15 adults, $10 First Federal customers (in-bank purchase only), $5 children

• Shaggin’ on the Cooper Saturday, April 28, 8:00 p.m.
(Gates open at 7:00 p.m.) Dance the night away under the stars while enjoying live classic oldies and beach music by Local Motion on the Mount Pleasant Pier. Beverages available for purchase onsite. Mount Pleasant Pier $10 per person (only 800 tickets available for this event!) Call 843-795-4FUN (4386) or visit www.ccprc.com

48th Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival – Fernandina Beach Florida

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This year it’s the 48th Anniversary for the popular Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Historic Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island ,Florida. This year the festival is scheduled for April 29 – May 1, 2011. Now this event is one of the first events we visited when we moved to the coast so it will always be special to me. Don’t take my word for it come and check out the festival for yourself and let me know what you think.

 

For all the details checkout our Shrimp Festival page