Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Build Your Scarecrow during Hay Days – St Marys, GA

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Hay Days comes to St. Marys and kicks off with “Build-A-Scarecrow”.  The annual Hay Days will takes place October 10 – 31, 2009,  with numerous events in downtown St Marys.

The main street in St. Marys, Osborn Street, will be decorated for the season with scarecrows from businesses, individuals and organizations. Every year locals have a great time coming up with the most innovative and creative scarecrows.

Build your own scarecrow at Orange Hall, St Marys, GA
Build your own scarecrow at Orange Hall, St Marys, GA

Kids of all ages are invited to Build-A-Scarecrow at Orange Hall on Saturday, October 10th at 10:00 AM. Purchase your own kit with everything you need to make the perfect Scarecrow available for only $20. Your Scarecrow might be selected to be placed downtown or take it home instead. Osborne Street the Scarecrows will welcome locals and visitors to downtown St. Marys throughout the Hay Days celebration.

Get Your Kit Now
To reserve your Build-A-Scarecrow kit, call the St. Marys Downtown Development Authority, (912) 882-8111 or email info@stmarysdda.com. Only fifty kits are available so hurry and make your reservations today to join in the fun. Any Scarecrow kits remaining will be assigned on a first come basis the day of the event at a cost of $25.

scarecrow Hay Days St Marys

Fourth of July in Georgia

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Fantastic Fourth of July on River Street, Savannah, GA

In Savannah, the celebration takes place on River Street in the downtown district.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in River Street style in Savannah, Georgia. The party starts at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more.

Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.

Call 912.234.0295 or visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Click here to watch the new weekly show video for Fourth of July in Georgia

Savannah Swings!

This event has become a yearly tradition in Savannah, and no wonder. It’s definitely very special way to celebrate the 4th of July. Just listen to this.

First, start out with a delicious picnic catered by the First City Club in Reynolds Square. There is really no better way to get a feel for the first city than by spending time in the squares, and why not a picnic. It is after all Fourth of July.

After the picnic, it’s time to head inside the cool Lucas Theater. This time of year, heading inside, can be a great way to cool off. Now you’re going to experience a cool jazz concert with “Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra” with singers Clay Johnson, Adam Jones, Trae Gurley and Huxsie Scott and Special Guest Kim Polote.
Don’t get too relaxed, because then it’s time to move to the beat, this time we’re following the band’s lead. We’re follwing the musicians in a New Orleans-style procession from the front of the Lucas, down the Abercorn ramp, all the way down to River Street. Here it’s time to sit again. This is where you’ll find the best seat in the town for fireworks viewing right on the river. Savannah swings!

Tickets for the concert, parade and seats are $25 for adults, and $10 children 12 and under. There is a $5 discount for military, fire & police.

Tickets for the picnic are available for an additional $20 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under.

The picnic is 3.30 – 5.oo pm and the concert starts at 6 p.m. at the Lucas Theatre.

All tickets are available by calling 912-525-5050.

Savannah Georgia Fourth of July

Fireworks Tybee Island Pier

Get an early start for the 4th of July weekend and head out to Tybee Island. Here the party starts already on Friday July 3rd with fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion.

Call 912-786-5444 for more information.

Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show, St Simons Island, Georgia

This arts and crafts festival takes place in Postell Park in the village. Come and get inspiration for your next art project, or find that perfect gift! Painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, garden art, wood craft, photography, sculpture, sweetgrass baskets, art glass and much much more.

July 3-5 from 10 am to 5 pm.

912.262.0628

Fireworks on St Simon’s at 9 pm!

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Brunswick, GA

Come to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick for an Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration for the whole family. Lots of fun with games, contests, free watermelon and much more. Fireworks at dusk.

4th of July Celebration – Jekyll Island, GA

Jekyll Island is one of our favorite places to visit, and the beach is gorgeous. So if you have friends and family in town, it might be a great idea to head out to Jekyll Island. Take a quick tour of the historic Landmark district and then head to the beach deck. Jekyll Island hosts a family-fun party at the Beachdeck featuring the DeeJay game show – the Big Dawg and Paul Show. The fireworks finale is said to be one of the best in the area.

For more information contact The Jekyll Island Welcome Center: 877-4-JEKYLL

www.jekyllisland.com

Independence Day Festival, St Marys, Georgia

Come visit historic downtown St Marys, GA, for a delightful Independence Day complete with parade and fireworks.

The day starts early with a 5K/10K run, then it is time for the annual parade down main street. Arts and crafts, food vendors and entertainment all day. Fireworks at dusk.

For more information call 912.882-4000

Waterfront in Darien, Georgia

Why wait until Saturday, start your party already on Friday in Darien when Mason Waters and The Groove All-Stars perform on the Waterfront Stage in Darien on Friday July 3rd in celebration of Independence Day. Gates open at 6:00pm; Music begins at 7:00pm with FIREWORKS!! scheduled for 9:15pm.

Cannons Across the Marsh, Fort King George, Darien

Join the Garrison for a day of artillery drills, musket firings and soldier’s life activities to honor Independence Day. Free watermelon and lemonade will be served. $3.50-$5. (912) 437-4770.

Fourth of July

Three Buzzards and Apple Pie – a Children’s Book

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Harold Cohn is an author from St. Marys, Georgia who recently released his children’s book “Three Buzzards and Apple Pie” through Tate Publishing Company. Three Buzzards and Apple Pie is a Lesson in life choices. The main characters are the three boys—Hade, Bo, and Drew. The boys decide to disobey their parents and venture past their usual play area one day. That decision sets off a thrilling journey for the boys and everyone involved.
Click here to check out the book Three Buzzards and Apple Pie

We talked to Harold Cohn about how the book came about in this video.

Mardi Gras Festivals on the Coast of Georgia!

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“Mardi Gras” is a French term meaning Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras refers to the carnival celebration.

Mardi Gras is a celebration prior to the fasting season of Lent and its origins go all the way back to the ancient Romans. Today the tradition is carried on in cities such as Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, and of course Rio de Janeiro.

Other names for Fat Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Dollar day. The actual date for 2009 is February 24th.
You can experience our own coastal version of Mardi Gras on Tybee Island or in historic downtown St Marys.

Mardi Gras Tybee
Tybee Island is celebrating Mardi Gras for the first time this year.
Purple, gold and green flags will dress up Tybee Island for the Mardi Gras celebration. Mardi Gras Tybee kicks off with a Fantasy Masquerade Ball on Friday, February 20th at 8pm, hosted by Fannies on the Beach. The King and Queen of the event will be chosen at the Fantasy Masquerade Ball by costume contest and bring your best looking cocktail cup for the Best Krewe Cup Contest. On Saturday, there will be a Mardi Gras parade at 3pm down Butler Avenue and a street party with music and festivities on Tybrisa Street. Join the fun, listen to authentic Zydeco music featuring Brad Randell and the Zydeco Ballers, Buddy Kosic’s New Orleans Dixieland Jazz Band and Bottles and Cans. Admission to the street party and parade viewing is free. Tickets for the Fantasy Masquerade Ball can be purchased online at www.mardigrastybee.com

Mardi Gras St Marys
This is one of the most popular annual festivals in St Marys. Everyone comes downtown to view the Mardi Gras parade and catch beads.
The Mardi Gras Festival includes a parade and live entertainment on Saturday, February 21st.
For more information, please call St Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau at 912.882.4000 or visit www.stmaryswelcome.com

St. Marys Community Market on January 10

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St. Marys Community Market – 206 Osborne St., (Tribune & Georgian Parking Lot) this market takes place on Saturdays in downtown St Marys where you can buy from local vendors. For more information call 912-882-8111 or visit www.smcmarket.com

January 10, 9am – 1pm