Stewbilee Rocks Downtown Brunswick Saturday Oct. 10

October is Festival Month in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia, with festivals, art shows and special events nearly every weekend this month. This coming weekend is no exception, as downtown Brunswick gears up for the fifth annual Brunswick Stewbilee at Mary Ross Waterfront Park.

This traditional small-town festival brings together a lot of big-town talent to compete in the annual Brunswick Stew cookoff. More than 60 teams, representing local and regional corporations, government agencies, civic groups and other organizations, will face off in "Peoples' Choice" and professionally judged competition, for the honor of having their concoctions named "Best Brunswick Stew." Teams also will be judged for having the most creative presentation in their booths.


Saturday’s events begin at 8:00 am with the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia 5K Freedom Run. This is the first year for the Club to handle the logistics of the Run. Interested runners and walkers can register online at www.brunswickstewbilee.com. Proceeds from the Run benefit local programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia.

The Pooch Parade is being organized by the Brunswick Women’s Club. All area pooches are invited to put on their finest dogwear and enter their owners in the parade. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes, and all registration money for the parade goes to local animal control and the Humane Society.

The Brunswick Stew Tasting Contest begins at 11:30 a.m. as more than 60 teams vie for top honors of the tastiest stew. Brunswick, Ga. "The Brunswick Kiwanis Club is again excited to work with many other community groups and businesses to bring a world-class event to Brunswick," said Shaw McVeigh, of the Brunswick Kiwanis Club, which organizes the stew tasting contest. “If you have a Brunswick stew that always receives praise, then we encourage you to come to our area and size it up against some stiff competition.”

Festival goers will have many activities from which to choose as they enjoy the Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee, including a classic car and motorcycle show, arts and crafts, and the ever popular "Junior Stewbie" fun zone for kids. Local and regional bands, including Malarkey, Marshgrass Bluegrass, WharfRatz, StringRays, OSKAR Rockhammer, and Dennis and the Menace, will perform in a free open-air concert throughout the day.

The Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee is sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System, The Brunswick News, Golden Isles Broadcasting, Comcast, H20 Creative Group, Brunswick Kiwanis Club and the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the event support local charities including Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Isles, animal control, the Humane Society, and the United Way of Coastal Georgia. For more information on the Stewbilee, visit www.brunswickstewbilee.com.

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