October brings festivals, special events to Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia

October delivers a wealth of annual festivals and special events to Brunswick and The Golden Isles, from outdoor art and antique shows to nature festivals and a PGA TOUR event. Here's a sampling of things to come:

Oct 2   FIRST FRIDAY - Visit the shops and galleries of Historic Downtown Brunswick. "He Said Beer, She Said Wine" tastings at select shops, live music at various locations and monthly art exhibit opening at Art Downtown/Gallery 209 and the Ritz Theatre Gallery. 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Newcastle Street. Information: 912-265-4032 or www.brunswickgeorgia.net

Oct 2-3   ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE - Vendors from throughout the Southeast offer antiques, collectibles and craft items. Postell Park, Beachview Drive in Pier Village – St. Simons Island. Information: 912-264-3254 or www.stsimonsantiqueshow.com

Oct 2   DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES COASTFEST - A fun family event celebrating Georgia’s coastal environment and wildlife. Georgia Dept of Natural Resources, Brunswick. Contact: 912-264-7218 or visit them online.

Oct 7-10   GEORGIA COAST BIRDING AND NATURE FESTIVAL - This festival brings casual and experienced bird enthusiasts from all over the United States to experience Southeast Georgia’s wide variety of habitats and wildlife. The whole family can enjoy a weekend of activities including nature walks, a showcase of vendors and conservation groups, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, special speakers, and informative seminars. Jekyll Island. Information: 912-635-3636 or visit them online.

Oct 9-10   THE MCGLADREY CLASSIC - The McGladrey Classic, new to the PGA TOUR Fall Series, promises to be a unique and spectacular event as host Davis Love III and his PGA TOUR friends play the beautiful Seaside course at Sea Island Georgia. Showcasing the area’s rich culture, history and extraordinary hospitality, the tournament is sure to become a new Seaside tradition for spectators and players alike. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia. For information, visit the McGladrey Classic online.
  

Oct 9-10   41ST ANNUAL FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL - More than 120 artists and craftspeople from throughout the Southeast display and sell their works outdoors in Postell Park, Beachview Drive on St. Simons Island. This year's festival includes the Grand Opening of Glynn Art Association's new Visual Art Center. Hours 10 am to 5 pm each day. Sponsored by the Glynn Art Association. Contact: 912-638-8770 or visit www.glynnart.org

These are but a few of the activities taking place during October in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia. A complete calendar of events can be found at our website, www.ComeCoastAwhile.com. Just click on the "Calendar of Events" button.

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Come Play! at CoastFest 2009

Birds of prey! A magician! Indian Legend and Lore! Face painting! Hurricanes, Floods and Weather!

These are but a few of the things awaiting your exploration, at CoastFest 2009, Saturday Oct. 3 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Coastal DNR headquarters in Brunswick.

Sponsored by the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources/Coastal Resources Division, CoastFest is Georgia's largest educational event, celebrating our state's coastal environment. More than 70 coastal environmental and educational organizations will join DNR to showcase our unique coastal habitat, its wild residents, and the various things that affect it.

See live native reptiles, raptors, amphibians, fish and more. Build a birdhouse … or a terrarium. Watch performances by Native American Indians. Be a magician's assistant for some amazing science projects. Watch as a sand sculptor creates a sand castle from 16 TONS of sand!

In addition to fascinating programs and displays, there will be kids' art activities, a cannon firing demonstration, the annual CoastFest Student Art exhibit, Creek Indian encampment, nature walks along the Earth Day Nature Trail, face painting, reef ball painting, a scavenger hunt, touch tanks and living history demonstrations.

Admission to CoastFest is free. The DNR Coastal Resources Headquarters are located at Conservation Way at US Highway 17 South, near the north end of the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick. For more information, call 912-264-7218 or visit Coastal Georgia DNR online.

CoastFest is sponsored by the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources / Coastal Management Program and made possible through a grant provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).