Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Fun Run & Walk – Charleston, SC

by

Join us for a preview of the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park! Runners and walkers will be the first in Charleston to experience more than 600 magical light displays at this 2-mile non-competitive run/walk. After reaching the finish line, participants are invited to enjoy the festival’s amenities. Register early, because space is limited and event will sell out.

3 Ways to Register

1. Register online at www.ccprc.com/funrun by 4pm, Wednesday, November 12
2. Register by phone at (843) 795-4386
3. Register at CCPRC Park & Program Services (861 Riverland Dr.) by 4:30pm, Thursday, November 13

Fees

All participants must be pre-registered and have a ticket to enter the park. There will be no on-site ticket sales. Registration closes when space is full. Lost tickets will not be replaced.

$9 per person (3 years and older, on or before November 12)
$15 per person (3 years and older, after November 12)
Free (2 years & under)

The park will close to traffic at 6:30pm, so plan to arrive early. The event begins at 6:45pm. The park will reopen to traffic at
approximately 8:30pm. Socialized dogs are welcomed on short, non-retractable leashes. Bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters are not permitted.

Call 843-795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com for more information.

Summerville Christmas Parade – Summerville, SC

by

The 2008 Summerville Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, December 14 and will begin at approximately 2 p.m. The parade had over 3,000 actual participants and attracted between 15-20,000 spectators last year making it one of the largest parades in the state of South Carolina. This parade is hosted by the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) and the Summerville Fire Department.

This year’s theme is “A Main Street Christmas.” All community members are encouraged to promote their organization or business and holiday spirit by participating in the parade. Participants can enter a decorated float, have employees wear a holiday costume and distribute candy or come up with their own creative entry. All parade entries will be judged by adherence to theme, originality/creativity/overall effort and visibility. Only entries decorated in the holiday spirit will be allowed in the parade. Prizes will be awarded to the top entrant for Best Adherence to Theme, Most Creative, Most Original and Best Overall.

Entry fees are $35 for a school or church group, $50 for non-profit or civic organization and $100 for a business (DREAM business members $50). There is also an option to contract a commercial float with driver and signage for $500. Commercial floats are “first come, first serve.” Registration forms must be received no later than Monday, November 17, 2008 at 5 p.m.

To receive a 2008 Summerville Christmas Parade registration packet, to contract a commercial float or for further information, please call the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. office at 821-7260 or Jack Pratt at 308-3399.

Green and Lean 5K – Charleston, SC

by

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

Taste of the Town – Summerville, SC

by

If you like food and you like fun, then bring the family to Summerville’s 7th Annual Taste of the Town, noon to 4 pm, presented by the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce.

This Veteran’s Day, come show your patriotic spirit as Summerville’s Azalea Park is turned red, white, and blue in support of our Veterans. Enjoy all that Summerville has to offer while sampling the delicious food from Summerville’s top restaurants, listening to live music, playing in our Kid’s Zone complete with jump castles and slides, and meeting our local merchants, artists and entertainers.

Free admission, individually priced “tastes.” Come taste all that Summerville had to offer this fall at this fun family event.

For more information call 843-873-2931 or visit our website at www.summervilletasteofthetown.com

Annual Holiday Festival of Lights – Charleston, SC

by

Celebrate a Lowcountry tradition at Charleston’s most beloved nighttime holiday event…the Holiday Festival of Lights! With over 2 million shimmering lights, this three-mile driving tour brings more and more light displays year after year with nearly 600 shining displays this year. Beginning November 14, 2008 and continuing through January 4, 2009, gather your family and friends and come capture the magic of the holiday season at James Island County Park.

The Festival of Lights is much more than just a driving tour! Park the car, stretch your legs, and take in the new and exciting attractions custom-designed for holiday cheer. There are many celebrated attractions to be sure to see and do, including:

  • Marshmallow Roasts
  • Festival Train Rides
  • Lakeside Lights Interactive Activity
  • Enchanted Forest Walking Trail
  • Gingerbread Houses
  • 50-Ton Sand Sculpture
  • Giant Greeting Cards
  • Carousel Rides
  • Gift Shops
  • Portable Climbing Wall
  • Photos with Santa
  • Santa’s Sweet Shoppe

Stroll through Santa’s Village and see the meticulously crafted holiday sand sculpture constructed by hand with 50-tons of sand. View the sugary structures entered in the gingerbread house competition. Visit the gift shops, Santa’s Attic and Incredible Gift Shoppe, for hand-crafted goodies from local artisans, official 24kt gold collector series ornaments, toy trains, dolls, angelic decorations, and many more stocking stuffers.

Spoil your sweet tooth at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe where the aroma of specialty coffees, cappuccinos, and fresh baked temptations of fudge and Christmas cookies fill the air. Make a s’more by the marshmallow roasting pit, take a snapshot with Santa, and then hop aboard a train for an up-close look at the displays.

Wander over to Winter Wonderland where a traditional 18-animal carousel ride whirls you around and around. Don’t miss the 4-by-8 foot holiday card designs created by local school students as part of a holiday art competition. These life-size displays of Christmas themes tower above you and are well worth a visit.

And join us on Friday, November 14 for the Opening Night Celebration! Activities include a tree lighting ceremony, the announcement of the postcard and gingerbread competition winners, performances by Lowcountry Power Brass and Charleston Dance Center, and loads of fun for the entire family! These activities are free with your regular Holiday Festival of Lights admission.

Festival Hours are: Fridays and Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.; and Sundays – Thursdays: 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fees are $10 per vehicle for 1-15 guests, $25 per vehicle for 16-30 guests, or $100 per vehicle for 31 or more guests. Receive a $2.00 discount per vehicle (Monday-Wednesday only) with the donation of a canned food item. Donations benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank. For more information about the Holiday Festival of Lights, please call 843-795-4FUN or visit www.holidayfestivaloflights.com.