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).

October filled with festivals, special events in Brunswick and The Golden Isles

October delivers a wealth of annual festivals and special events to Brunswick and The Golden Isles, with activities taking place nearly every weekend. Here's a rundown of things to come:

Oct 2 First Friday Promenade. Visit the shops and galleries of Historic Downtown Brunswick. Enjoy live music, a wine-tasting, refreshments and more at shops and restaurants along historic Newcastle Street. Sponsored by Downtown Development Authority/Historic Brunswick Business Association. 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Call 912-279-2603 or visit www.brunswickgeorgia.net 

Oct 3-4 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. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 912-264-3254 or visit www.stsimonsantiqueshow.com

Oct. 3 Dept. of Natural Resources Coastfest. CoastFest is Georgia's largest organized celebration of the the state's rich and vast coastal natural resources. Held annually on the first Saturday of October, this day-long educational festival is a free, highly interactive event for the entire family. Hosted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division, CoastFest takes place at the division's headquarters along the Marshes of Glynn in Brunswick, Georgia. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call 912-264-7218 or visit www.coastalgadnr.org/

Oct 8-12 Colonial Coast Nature and Birding 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. For information call 912-635-3636 or visit www.coastalgeorgiabirding.org

Oct 10-11 Annual October Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Celebrate coastal Georgia’s Gullah-Geechee heritage through special performances, demonstrations and workshops. Performers and participating artists will include the McIntosh County Shouters, Gospel Messengers, storyteller David Pleasant, basket weavers Yvonne Grovner and Stanley Walker, and works by 150 artists from throughout the southeast. Postell Park, Pier Village area, St. Simons Island. Sponsored by the Glynn Art Association. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 912-638-8770 or visit www.glynnart.org 

Oct 16-17 Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee. Enjoy a taste of the Georgia Coast during this traditional small-town celebration in historic downtown Brunswick. The day begins with a road race and pet parade. Throughout the day, local teams compete to see who can prepare the “Best Brunswick Stew” in judged and people’s choice competition, and local bands provide the entertainment. Mary Ross Park, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Call 912-265-4032 or visit www.brunswickstewbilee.com 

Oct 22-23 Write to Inspire: A Spiritual / Inspirational Writing Workshop. Featuring Cecil Murphey, author of “90 Minutes in Heaven;” Marjorie Wentworth, Poet Laureate of South Carolina; and Holly McClure, author and storyteller. Epworth by The Sea, St. Simons Island. Optional Sunday critique and workshop session available for extra charge. For information call 912-638-8688 or visit www.epworthbythesea.org 

Oct 30-31 Georgia-Florida Weekend. Members of the "Bulldawg Nation" descend upon Brunswick and The Golden Isles in preparation for the annual faceoff with the Florida Gators in Jacksonville.

This is just a partial listing of activities taking place throughout Brunswick and The Golden Isles. For a complete listing, be sure to visit our online Calendar of Events. Also be sure to visit the Special Offers page for information about hotel discounts, packages and other special incentives for travelers!

All images: Copyright 2009, Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB

Taking Your Animal to the Beach

Many pet owners consider their animals to be members of the family, welcome to participate in most family activities, including travel.

A trip to the beach can be a very rewarding way to spend quality time with your pet. It is important to remember, however, that the beach is shared with other people, pets, and wildlife. Here are some helpful questions and answers to help make your -- and your pet's -- beach visit as pleasant as possible.


Is my pet allowed on the beach?

Ordinances regarding animals on the beach vary widely. Most Georgia beach communities require that animals be kept off the beach during certain hours of the day and/or certain times of the year. Some only allow dogs on specific beaches, some allow horses and others have banned animals altogether. All require that your animal remain on a leash and under your control.

Violators risk being fined, so it is best to check local laws before bringing along your animal companion. Here are the ordinances for beaches in Brunswick and The Golden Isles:

• St. Simons Island Animals are allowed on the beach until 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from First Street/East Beach (Coast Guard Station) south to Mallery Street (the pier). Animals on leashes (max. 10 feet) are permitted on the beach north of the Coast Guard Station year-round at any time.

• Jekyll Island Animals must be on a leash or reins and are permitted on the beach.

Why does my animal need to be on a leash?

In areas that animals are allowed they must be kept on leash. This is for your animal's safety and for the safety of other beachgoers and wildlife.

While we all like to think that our dogs are well mannered, it is important to remember that the canine social structure is quite different from that of humans. Anywhere that large numbers of dogs congregate the occasional fight is inevitable. Keeping your dog on a leash will minimize negative encounters with other dogs and give you better control of your pet if they are involved in a scuffle. Dogs with a history of aggression are best left at home.


Dogs and Wildlife

Georgia beaches are home to a variety of birds and other wildlife; several species are threatened or endangered. Here is some good advice designed to help protect and preserve these animals:

Shorebirds
If you are going to a remote beach, leave your dog at home. Dogs are effective predators and often disturb shorebirds that are nesting in the sand. Dogs can crush or eat young chicks or flush the parents off nests allowing other predators easy access to them. To minimize interactions with nesting birds keep your dog at home.

Do not allow your dog to chase birds on the beach. Several species of birds use Georgia beaches as critical stopovers during their long migrations. When forced to flee from dogs, birds burn up valuable calories and compromise their fat reserves. Chronic disturbance of resting birds can compromise their health and burns valuable energy needed for migration.

Sea Turtles
From late spring through early fall; loggerhead sea turtles nest on Georgia’s shores. Please take precautions to ensure your dog does not disturb adult turtles, their nests, or hatchlings. Do not allow your dog to dig above the high tide line and do not bring your pets to the beach after dark when females are laying eggs.


Why do I need to pick up my animal's waste...won't the tide wash it away?

The tide will wash it away…and that’s the problem. Recently, animal waste on the beach has received a lot of attention. Not only is it unpleasant for beachgoers, but it also poses a very real health threat to swimmers and other dogs.

Fecal coliform bacteria in seawater, tied to animal waste on the beach, can make people and animals very ill. In some cases, these bacteria can reach levels that require the local Health Department to issue a swimmers' health advisory. To ensure that your animal is not contributing to this problem, always clean up your animal's waste and deposit it in an appropriate trash receptacle. For current beach advisories in Georgia click here.

How can I keep my dog safe at the beach?

The American Kennel Club has provided the following guidelines to help you make your dog’s trip to the beach an enjoyable one:

• When taking your dog to the beach, make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade.

• Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so limit your dogs exposure to the hot sun and apply a zinc-free sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.

• Be careful not to let your dog spend too much time on hot sand or asphalt. Dogs can burn their feet just as easily as we can.

• Cool ocean water is very tempting to a dog. Don’t allow your dog to drink too much seawater. This can cause diarrhea or vomiting and quickly dehydrate them.

• Check with lifeguards for daily water conditions. Dogs can be easy targets for jellyfish.

• Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs, but don’t let them overdo it. They will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.

• Running on a beach is strenuous exercise and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament. If your dog is out of shape, don't encourage him to run on the sand.

• The beach can present many hazards for your dog. Things to watch out for include boats, fishhooks, dead fish, garbage, and broken glass.

• Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog’s coat, so rinse him off at the end of the day.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia
Several hotels, rental cottages and campgrounds in Brunswick and the Golden Isles accept pets. Please note that there may be restrictions on the number of pets and/or their size. Pet-friendly properties often set aside a limited number of pet-friendly rooms. While they may show occupancy, they may in fact be out of pet-friendly rooms. Also, the accommodation may charge an additional fee for your pet. It's always best to check ahead of time just to be sure. For a listing of pet-friendly accommodations in Brunswick and The Golden Isles, click here.