Savannah Vacation News

Free For All

Look out boys, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are coming to town.  Tomorrow night, the much anticipated free SCAD Alumni concert (yes, FREE) proudly presents this Vermont based band with sexy front-woman Grace Potter.  If you’ve never heard of them, get ready to be blown away; her soulful and gritty vocals are reminisce of some of the leading ladies of rock – think Grace Slick, Ann Hart, Stevie Nicks - she’ll rock the stage and leave you wanting more.
 
Opening for the Nocturnals will be JJ Grey & MOFRO, a bluesy, southern rock band hailing from Jacksonville, Florida.  This double dose of rock-n-roll rhythm and blues will be sure to knock your socks off!  So pack up your picnic baskets, grab a blanket and head on over to Forsyth Park’s band shell – the show starts at 7pm.


If you have a sweet tooth you’ll want to stop by TIER Luxury Cakes downtown on Abercorn Street (between Broughton and Congress) before the show for their Taste of Tier Event from 4pm – 8pm.  If you’re an avid foodie, you’ve probably seen TIER compete in the Ultimate Cake Challenge on the Food Network.  They’ll have free mini cupcakes as they unveil their gluten-free and vegan cupcakes – you even get to vote for your favorite recipe! 


Saturday, take the kids to Oatland Island between 10am – 2pm for Wetlands Day.  Admission is free and you’ll explore the salt marshes while learning about Georgia’s coastline.  Afterwards, stay and check out the animal trails and all that Oatland Island has to offer.
With the temperatures on the rise, you can cool off at Ellis Square in the interactive water jets, or play a big game of chess on the West side of the square while the sounds of live music float in from City Market.
Whatever you decide to do, Savannah is an active town, full of fun and free activities for all ages …. You just have to know where to look. 

Memorial Day Weekend in Savannah

It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day Weekend is already here!  Established as a time to remember the fallen soldiers of the Civil War, by the 20^th century, Memorial Day was a national holiday to honor all Americans who died serving.  This weekend take a stroll through Colonial Park Cemetery (located in the Historic District on Abercorn and Oglethorpe) where Federal troops took over the cemetery during their occupation of Savannah and it’s rumored that some of the dates on the headstones were changed by Union soldiers. Or drive down Victory Street with its’ stately homes and beautiful trees to Bonaventure Cemetery - Savannah’s most popular and largest cemetery - where several sections are dedicated to war veterans from the various wars throughout the decades.


If cemeteries aren’t your thing, take a step back in time with a tour of the oldest standing brink fortification in Georgia - Old Fort Jackson.  Built in the early 1800’s, it was used during the War of 1812 and the Civil War before falling to the Union during Sherman’s famous “March to the Sea.”  You can’t help but imagine what it must’ve been like for the soldiers as you view the sleeping quarters and the exhibits showcasing old war relics – and be sure to cover your ears for the daily cannon firing demonstrations!
 
If you’re headed out to Tybee for fun in the sun, take a few hours to tour Fort Pulaski, which has stood guard over the Savannah River for over 150 years and was once home to Robert E. Lee.  This historic military structure has several trails for hiking, biking, nature watching and some of the best views of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse.    
Celebrate all weekend long on Savannah’s River Street with patriotism, fun and entertainment for the whole family at the Armed Forces Festival that will be taking place Friday through Sunday. Get a drink “To-Go” and check out local and regional artists,wander through the shops, or watch the cargo ships pass by while listening to live music.  The kids will love an Italian Ice from the vendors and proceeds from this event will benefit the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation.  Be sure to stop by the “A World Apart”, the World War II monument just west of the Hyatt where 527 Chatham County individuals are remembered.

No matter how you choose to celebrate this weekend, may you have a safe and happy holiday!

Another Fun Filled Weekend in Savannah

Fashion Week is in full swing with Trunk Shows, New Lines, Make Overs, and Special Events taking place at several of the local boutiques from Downtown to the Islands.  Once you’ve found your fab finds, you can show them off tonight at Martinis at the Mansion where there will be drink specials and your chance to win some fantastic raffle prizes!  ALL Raffle proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training as they prepare for the Rock n’ Roll Marathon this fall.
Tomorrow evening, head over to Tybee Island, for the Third Thursday on Tybee:  A family friendly (and FREE!) outdoor music concert featuring Jazz flutist and vocalist, Brenda Morie.  Enjoy this “Outdoor Listener’s Delight” as you stroll along the beach, browse the shops, or sit outside at one of Tybee’s eateries for dinner. 

Enjoy boutique wine and food pairings Friday Night while touring some of the most prestigious, private homes in Savannah.  The $45 tickets are limited for the Preservation Wine Tour, which begins at the Green-Meldrim House on the West side of Madison Square in Historic Downtown Savannah.  This Historic Landmark was once the Civil War Headquarters of General William T. Sherman and features many unusual features.
 
If you’re in the mood for a parade – and getting wet - you won’t want to miss the annual Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade this Friday.  All of the floats will be filled with water balloons, water guns, buckets and hoses to keep you cool.  But it doesn’t stop there – the parade watchers are armed with all the same!  It’s sure to be a soaking good time!
If you’re looking for an addition to the family, you won’t want to miss the 2^nd Annual Pet Care and Adoption Fair on Saturday at Tailspins (located on Habersham at 61^st).  Along with local pet adoption agencies, there will be a low-cost vaccine clinic, nail clippings, dog washes and plenty of fun, so bring your furry friends to this event where proceeds will continue to help these rescue agencies in their mission.
Just another fun filled weekend in Savannah!

This Week in Savannah

Savannah is a town that likes to eat and drink; and with so many great restaurants, it’s hard to decide which to choose from.  Tonight the Savannah Chamber has made it easy with the Annual Taste of Downtown.  This much anticipated event will be in Johnson Square (also referred to by the locals as “Bank Square) from 5:30 – 7:30 and will feature 42 restaurants!  It’s a great way to sample all the best that Savannah has to offer. 

Afterwards, grab a drink “To Go” and stroll through City Market while you browse the shops and listen to live music - or take a walk along River Street and enjoy the sunset; the view from Rocks on the River can't be beat.
Unleash your inner artist on Saturday with the Savannah Sketch Crawl.  Free and open to the public, you’ll follow a designated route through historic downtown Savannah where you can sketch, paint or photograph some of Savannah’s historic scenes and places.  Leave your artwork on display at the Jepson Center where it will be featured in a 2-week exhibition.

Get your beach gear ready and head to Tybee Island for the start of Beach Bum Week where the Extreme Volleyball Professionals Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will be taking place.  Meet the players and test your volleyball skills to win prizes.  Don’t forget to bring some sun screen.
Celebrate Mom on Sunday with brunch or dinner at any of Savannah’s restaurants and hotspots – or make it a day and take her to see Southern Nights at the Historic Savannah Theatre.  

Next week kicks off Savannah Fashion Week where several local boutiques will feature special collections, make-overs and extended hours for you to shop ‘til you drop.  There will be a fashion show at the Lucas Theatre on Friday night and the Exposed runway show on Saturday features designs by Project Runway’s April Johnston.  Any fashionista will not want to miss this!

First Saturday, Savannah Style

Spending time in Historic Savannah is special no matter what time of year you visit – but if your stay happens to be during the first of the month, then you’re in for a treat!

River Street is the place to be the first weekend of each month where things get started with a bang! With First Friday Fireworks you don’t have to wait for the 4th of July anymore to see the spectacular display in the sky. From the Historic District, River Street is just a few blocks. A pleasant stroll north through Savannah’s many tree-filled squares takes you straight to the river where you can grab a bite to eat at one of more than 15 fantastic restaurants. Or, if you don’t feel like walking, you can catch a Pedicab to Bay St. at Bull where you can take the elevator to River Street – and you can catch one again to take you back to wherever you’re staying in the Historic District.

The fireworks begin just after sundown, so you might enjoy watching the show while dining on a restaurant balcony – or you can watch from Rousakis Plaza – there’s plenty of room, and lots of vantage points to get a great view.

The fun continues with First Saturday on River Street. From music to handmade crafts, First Saturday offers events that the whole family can enjoy. Stroll along this lively riverfront where you’ll find plenty of folks milling about. Come take in the fresh air and stop by booths offering jewelry, pottery, clothing, stationery – even furniture! There’s entertainment for the whole family – from music to jugglers –and you can even get a caricature of yourself from a local artist!

Whether it’s lunch or dinner time, you have plenty to choose from among River Street’s several restaurants. From pizza to seafood to a refreshing ice cream cone – Savannah’s Riverfront has something to satisfy everyone’s palate. Come on down and see what all the noise is about on First Friday and First Saturday on River Street!

Girl Scout Exhibition + the Charlie Daniel’s Band

In an effort to document the many achievements of the Girl Scouts of America during their fist 100 years, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum will have a temporary exhibit for the remainder of 2012 to raise the awareness of the GSA's many contributions during Savannah’s most renowned first lady, founder Juliette Gordon Low’s 100 year anniversary of the creation of the Girl Scouts of America. A tip of our Savannah Getaways hat to Key to Savannah’s information laden report below:

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is pleased to announce the opening of its newest exhibition, “Doing Their Part! Girl Scouts in World War II”. This exhibit has been created in honor of their outstanding wartime contributions on the Home Front. This temporary exhibit will be in place throughout 2012 in celebration of the Girl Scout’s 100th Anniversary.

World War II era uniforms, a first aid kit, and sewing kit document their activities in war-related service projects, like Hospital, Child Care, Emergency Outdoor Aide, and Farm Aide. In addition, Girl Scouts planted Victory Gardens, collected fat and scrap metal, and operated bicycle courier services. They organized Defense Institutes, teaching 10,000 women survival skills and techniques for comforting children during blackouts and air raids. Girl Scouts also collected 1.5 million articles of clothing that were then shipped overseas to civilian victims of war.

In the last minute Savannah Vacation News department, if you are coming to Savannah this weekend,  Check out the free Charlie Daniels Band concert in Forsyth Park and celebrate Earth Day, Savannah Style, all day long in Forsyth Park and celebrate Earth Day, Savannah Style, at the same time.

Savannah Leg of the Tall Ship Challenge

Up to 15 tall sailing ships are expected to be visiting along River Street in the Port of Savannah on the weekend of May 3 through 7 with opportunities to go aboard these impressive wind powered monarchs of the sea from yesteryear or maybe even take a three hour harbor cruise. Thanks to a lot of planning by the Savannah Waterfront Association and the Convention and Visitors Bureau according to a recent article in the Savannah Morning News, this much anticipated event is a timely stop between Jacksonville and Charleston for this sailing event held every year.

Planning that began six years ago will culminate May 2012 when Savannah becomes a stop for tall sailing ships racing along the Atlantic coast. Up to 15 tall ships will dock in Savannah May 3-7, 2012, as part of the “Tall Ships Challenge 2012, Atlantic Coast” race, Kenny Hill, executive director of Savannah Riverfront, said Monday.

The schedule calls for the race to start in Jacksonville, Fla., in late April, come to Savannah, for the Savannah Tall Ships Challenge leg then move on to Charleston S.C., , followed by stops in Greenport, N.Y., Newport, R.I. and Massachusetts Outports before winding up in late July at Halifax and Nova Scotia Outports.

Hill said Savannah Riverfront and Visit Savannah each have pledged $100,000 in seed money and will be working in coming months to raise another $200,000 from private sponsors. Joe Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah, said the goal is to bring 15 of the tall ship challengers to the City of Savannah. A number of viewing opportunities will be offered at a variety of price points, Hill said, with discounts for children. Visitors will be able to board the ships for $10 and go for two- or three-hour sails for about $50, Hill said. One of the big goals is to educate youth, he said.

The Living History of Savannah’s Historic Forts

A recent Retirement Magazine listed Savannah Georgia as one of the top eight places to retire for the history lovers among that generation. The folks at the Where to Retire Magazine included Savannah at the top of their illustrious list of other well known Historic Sites along with Charleston S.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., and Fredericksburg, Virginia to name a few of the better known historic destinations. The common denominator of these destinations are their roles of witnessing important battles and conflicts that shaped American History as noted in their national and state parks on the outskirts of these historic cities.

Savannah has witnessed a series of skirmishes and battles over the years starting with the arrival of the Spanish and their claiming of Creek Tribal lands for the Spanish Crown and subsequent attempts to convert the indigenous inhabitants to Catholicism. As the article relates below, if it works for retirees looking to live in Savannah, it works even doubly so for visitors to Historic Savannah.

Although it lasted only 30 hours, the Battle of Fort Pulaski changed the Civil War and military history. Now it’s that legacy and the memorable setting on the Georgia coast that attract retirees to volunteer at the national military park outside Savannah. Now it is that legacy and the memorable setting on the Georgia coast. For historians, the battle is notable because it demonstrated that masonry forts couldn’t hold up to a barrage of from rifled cannons. Unfortunately for the citizens of Civil War Savannah, in the end the Confederate garrisoned fort quickly fell to the Union forces. Downtown Savannah has itself has no shortage of appeal or history. The Hostess City, founded in 1733, is well known for it’s squares lined with Spanish-Moss covered live oaks amidst hundreds of restored architectural landmarks.

Oh, and by the way, Savannah’s storied past is just a small part of what makes us a perennial top 10 destination year after year. Watch the Savannah Convention & Visitor's video below to learn more:

A Shameless promotion for Savannah Getaways

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The Savannah Black Heritage Festival

The 23rd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival kicks off its celebration on February 1, 2012, and will continue through Thursday, February 16th with a smorgasbord of festival events. Each year, the festival presents programs and activities in the performing and visual arts for every age and every interest in school settings and in the public domain. A strong commitment to family and fun are featured in Low Country Savannah in the traditional Black History celebratory month of February.

This year’s event is no different with a strong emphasis on Black cultural activities including dance, music, visual art exhibitions international and local in scope, culinary arts activities, crafts workshops and much, much more. Plan to be in attendance on the gala Grand Festival Day on February 11th in Savannah’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Center from morning on into the evening. The theme of this year’s festival is Journey’s, Passages, and Transitions.

Attend the 23rd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival and enjoy the rich cultural contribution of Black Americans in Coastal Georgia’s Destination Savannah. Plan your trip around the posted schedule and secure your free tickets online as some events require these seating arrangements. The Festival is sponsored by the City of Savannah and Savannah State University.

A Really Bad Savannah Film Festival

Still a few days left to view the a handful of the remaining 16 films in the way of Indie films, fringe films and like in downtown Savannah at the Savannah Pyschotronic Film Festival. Check out the News Team television report earlier this month.

It's a different kind of film festival for a different kind of audience. For the past eight years, the Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah has served as the area's only not-for-profit film society dedicated to screening cult, indie, experimental and fringe cinema from around the world.

Jim Reed, Director of the Psychotronic Film Festival of Savannah, joins News 3's Kim Gusby with details. The 9th Annual Savannah Psychotronic Film Festival will take place January 22 - 28, 2012 at Muse Arts Warehouse. 16 great movies from around the world will be screened over 7 days - including Sneak Previews of brand-new films not yet released in theaters, little-known “lost” movies from decades past and bona fide Cult Classics. Ticket Prices: Single Films=$9 ea. / Day Passes (Mon.–Fri.)=$15 ea. / (Sat. or Sun.)=$22 ea. 

Polar Bear Plunges in the Lowcountry

From the sandy shores of Sullivans Island facing across Charleston Harbor to Historic Fort Sumter, south to the also not overly cool waters off of coastal Georgia’s favorite beach, Savannah Beach better known asTybee Island, New Year’s Day 2012, saw a record number of polar bear plungers with 5000+ combined participants at each event. The Savannah Morning News and the Charleston City News document each chilly venue’s event.

One world record enthusiastically — and unofficially — obliterated. Aided by sunny skies with temperatures near 70, organizers of the annual Tybee Island polar bear plunge counted more than 2,000 good-natured folk willing to don swim caps to break a Guinness World Record. Once corralled and counted shortly after noon Sunday, they plunged into the 57-degree water to the strains of Queen's "We Are The Champions" echoing from the Tybee pier. The Guinness challenge also served as a fundraiser for the Tybee Post Theater. Funds from registration will help pay for new restrooms and air conditioning at the theater, but Jim Kluttz, president of the board of Friends of Tybee Theater, said the main reason was even simpler.

Sunday’s Polar Plunge on Sullivan’s Island drew hundreds of people who wanted to ring in the New Year with a dip in the not-quite-icy waters of the Atlantic. Hosted by Dunleavy’s Pub and benefiting the Special Olympics, the afternoon plunge featured revelers of all ages dressed up as everything from cops in cutoffs to giant solo cups diving into the sea. Everyone enjoyed splashing around, from kids and parents to dogs and the still-drunk-from-the-night-before.