Plant Riverside will host “Savannah Salutes” Memorial Day Celebration in Savannah, May 28-31 2021

Free Family-Friendly Event to Feature Live Music, Cirque Performances, Riverfront Cookout and More

“Savannah Salutes” Memorial Day Celebration from Fri. May 28 through Mon. May 31 @ Plant Riverside, Savannah. The family-friendly patriotic event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at Plant Riverside, located on Savannah’s historic riverfront at 400 W. River St.

The four-day event at Plant Riverside District will offer free live music from 1- 4PM and 7-10PM daily as well as performances by Savannah Cirque and food and drink options for all ages.

Additional highlights include performances by Savannah Cirque on Fri. May 28 and Sat. May 29 at 8:30PM and 9:30PM and on Sun. May 29 at 8:30PM in Montgomery Park. Plant Riverside District will also present nightly fountain shows in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park featuring patriotic music and a salute to the U.S. armed forces.

Throughout the holiday weekend, Plant Riverside District’s iconic smokestacks, fountains and other familiar landmarks will be illuminated with red, white and blue lights after dark. Food and drink specials will be available for purchase. Picnic blankets will be available for purchase for Memorial Day picnics

View a complete entertainment schedule, visit www.plantriversidedistrict.com.

Drive-in Laser Light Show, May 20-23 2021
@ Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairground, Statesboro
2 laser shows per night, including one on Sunday: 8:30PM & 10:00PM
Bring your own chairs, blankets and refreshments
Cost: $29 per car
Tickets available at Cabin Fever Laser Light Show: www.CabinFeverLaserShow.com
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Cash not accepted at the gate.

New birthday party option in Savannah: Pamper & Polish Kids’ Spa is Savannah’s Mobile Spa Party Bus for spa parties for girls 4-12.

There’s a LIVE booking calendar on the Pamper & Polish Web site. Click the link pamperandpolishkidsspa.com to book your daughter’s spa party.

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This year SCAD’s beloved Sidewalk Arts Festival – which normally takes place in Savannah’s Forsyth Park – is virtual.

See the online show here. It’s free & open to public.

High school students can submit entries, too. High school students must have a participation code to compete. To receive a participation code, email Erin Findlay at efindlay@scad.edu.

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While Savannah Cultural Arts Center isn’t open, the staff there want to share some creative fun for kids to do at home.

Create a 3D Card to make at home

Learn how to turn paper hearts into a one-of-a-kind gift or work of art! This instruction sheet from the Savannah Cultural Arts Center will help you learn the basics, then you can let your imagination take it from there.

Learn how to make the 3D card with these online instructions here.

Candle making can be another great DIY craft activity, have a look at this post to find the best candle making kits.
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Georgia State Railroad Museum and Old Fort Jackson – both in Savannah – will be open to the general public for tours and guided experiences on Wednesdays through Sundays 9AM-5PM.

Georgia State Railroad Museum

All tours will begin every half hour beginning at 10AM, so please plan accordingly. While the experience will be different from the museum’s usual offerings, tickets will include a rich guided experience and there will be a family activity led by a Savannah Children’s Museum educator for one family at a time every 30 minutes, first come, first served.

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Old Fort Jackson

While the experience will be different from the fort’s usual offerings, tickets will include a rich guided experience that will also incorporate a cannon firing and musket demonstration.

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Both locations are large, open-air historic site with plenty of space for safe social distancing. For the safety of all staff and guests, we will be observing social distancing protocols and implementing enhanced sanitizing procedures. Guests are strongly urged to wear masks and adhere to public health safety protocols. Staff will be also limiting capacity to 20 guests at a time, so please call ahead to check availability. No tours at either site from 12:30-1PM and last tour begins at 3:30PM at Georgia State Railroad Museum and 4:30PM at Old Fort Jackson. Visitors can purchase tickets in gift shops or online here.

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Pin Point Heritage Museum in Savannah will now be open Thursday through Saturday from 9AM-5PM, beginning Thursday, May 28 2020.

The museum is an open-air historic site with plenty of space for safe social distancing. For the safety of all staff and guests, the museum will be observing:
*Social distancing protocols
*Implementing enhanced sanitizing procedures.
*Changes to the exhibit flow and daily programming for guest safety.

Guests are encouraged to wear masks and adhere to public health safety notices.

Capacity will be limited to 10 guests at a time every half an hour, first come, first served, so please call ahead to check availability. Abbreviated guided tours will be offered every half hour. Guests can then explore and examine exhibits more closely. Visitors can purchase tickets on-site at Pin Point Heritage Museum.

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Celebrate Easter 2020 on the Savannah River. Join the Savannah Riverboat Cruises family, including the Easter Bunny, for their annual Easter Sunday Brunch Cruise or Easter Dinner Cruise on the Savannah River.

After brunch, children will meet the Easter Bunny, have photos taken and receive a special Easter surprise on the boat.

Details here.

Easter Cruises

2020 Easter Brunch Cruise
Prices: Adult: $63.95 – Child (ages 5-12): $35.95; Children 4 & under are free

Join the Savannah Riverboat family, including the Easter Bunny, for their annual Easter Sunday Brunch Cruise! All your favorite breakfast and lunch entrees will be served on the 1.5 hour brunch cruise. After brunch, children can enjoy pictures with the Easter Bunny and receive a special Easter Egg surprise. Venture up to the top deck for a live narration by the Captain while taking in the sights of historic Savannah.

April 12; Boarding at 12pm; Sailing 1-2:30pm

Details here.

2020 Easter Dinner Cruise
Prices: Adult: $63.95 – Child (ages 5-12): $35.95; Children 4 & under are free

Celebrate Easter on the Savannah River. Join Savannah Riverboat family, for their annual Easter Dinner Entertainment Cruise. Enjoy their delicious dinner buffet on this 2 hour dinner cruise. Bring your family and friends and come take in the sights and sounds of historic Savannah.

April 12; Boarding at 6pm; Sailing 7-9pm

Groups of 25 or more, please contact the group sales department for discounted pricing information.

Details here.

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Savananh-area Easter Egg Hunts 2020

FREE Easter Extravaganza, Richmond Hill, Sat. April 11 2020
11AM-1PM (Line-up starts at 10:30 AM)
J.F. Gregory Park, 520 Cedar Street, Richmond Hill.
Open to kids ages 10 & younger
The free, family-oriented event includes Easter Egg hunt, free cookout, entertainment, games, free photos with the Easter Bunny. Try to arrive by 10:15AM.
Rain or Shine. In the event of rain, eggs will be distributed to the children & other activities will go on as planned under the pavilion.
Call 912-445-0196 or 912-308-7635.
Presented by New Beginnings Community Church in Cooperation with the City of Richmond Hill and many local business sponsors.

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Free Annual Children’s Easter Party & Egg Hunt @ Trinity Lutheran Church, Savannah, Sat. April 11
Come for the Easter story, crafts, games & lunch. Bring your own basket & hunt for the golden egg. For ages toddler to 6th grade.
Trinity Lutheran Church
12391 Mercy Blvd.
Sat. April 11
10AM – 1PM
Ages toddler – 6th graders
Free & open to the public
Please RSVP by calling (912) 925-4839.
Details here. 

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Free 2020 Pooler Egg Hunt, Sat. April 11 2020
@ Pooler Recreation Complex
9-11AM
200 Preston Stokes Drive
Pooler, GA 31322
The Egg Hunt is for children through 5th grade with one hunt at 9AM & another at 10:30AM. This is a FREE event, but to help organizers plan a fun and safe event for everyone, please register your children in advance online here. When you reserve your child’s ticket, please be sure to select the ticket that matches your child’s age range (either under 2 years old, 2-3 years old, 4-5 years old, 1st – 3rd grade or 4th – 5th Grade) and desired hunt time (either 9AM or 10:30AM).
Organized by Gateway Church
Parking in the parking lot behind the football stadium.

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Easter Egg Hunt @ Fort McAllister State Park, Sat. April 11 2020
2-3PM
Fort McAllister State Park
3894 Fort McAllister Road
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Age groups are: 3-6; 7-9; 10-12. Space is limited. Pre-registration & payment is required at park office to obtain even wristband(s). Registration open 4/1/20 – 4/10/20. Day of walk ups will be turned away.
Cost: $2 plus $5 parking.
912-727-2339.
Learn more here

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8th BIRTHDAY FOR THE BIRDS
APRIL 25 2020, 9-11AM
Port Royal, SC

The Town of Port Royal along with the Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands Committee invite the community to celebrate the 8th Birthday for the Birds on April 25 2020, 9-11 AM. This unique, one of a kind event showcases Beaufort County’s wonderful natural resources, the Port Royal Rookery and Wetlands, along with the incredible wildlife living within.

This exciting free Community Celebration focuses upon the various species living in this habitat along with educational and information resources. With support from the Fripp Island Audubon Club and other organizations, it will be an informative and fun day to enjoy the Port Royal Rookery and Wetlands. Representatives from the LowCountry Habitat for Humanity, Fripp Island Wildlife Department along with Hunting Island Park Rangers will be onsite as they showcase many inhabitants of the wetlands including alligators and other species.

Master Naturalists (TOUR SIGN-UPS BEGIN AT 8:30 AM) will be there as educational guides giving boardwalk tours of the wetlands along with answering any questions. There will be a Scavenger Hunt with check offs for finding all the unique species and when completed, can proudly show off by wearing their well earned “I Found all the Wildlife Species at the Port Royal Rookery.”

Plus, face painting by Kandace Palmer of Southern Palette Art Studio, local school children’s artwork and puppets to view and a delicious Birthday Cake.

There will be kazoos to play as you tip your bird hat and Cypress Wetlands coloring books donated by the Beaufort Soil & Conservation District for the children to enjoy. Look for the Costumed Bird Greeters, the 1979 Silver Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Up festively decorated with Birds for the Event.

The event, created by the commitment and vision of Pete Richards* through the Town of Port Royal, who wished to share his love of birding, and, in his own words said, “The importance of the birthday is making wildlife and birds accessible to community, families and children. It is now in its 8th year.”

The Town of Port Royal has generously helped along with Audubon and the many volunteers who work to provide this fun day to the community and their families.

*Pete Richards passed on Saturday, February 29th.

The Greening of the Forsyth Park Fountain, parades on Hilton Head Is., Tybee Is. & in Savannah – all are part of the special month of March in Savannah.

(No Tara Feis Irish Celebration this year. )

St. Patrick’s festivities for 2020 include:

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GREENING OF THE FORSYTH PARK FOUNTAIN, SAVANNAH

Fri. March 6 2020, Noon-1PM. Details here. 

See the Forsyth Park fountain be dyed green. Free & open to the public.

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TYBEE IRISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION PARADE

Sat. March 14 2020, 3PM Tybee Is.’s Butler Avenue. Details here.

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UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

HILTON HEAD ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Sun. March 15 2019, 3PM

37th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Details here.

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UPDATE: THE SAVANNAH PARADE IS NOW CANCELLED: 

SAVANNAH ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Tues. March 17 2020, 10:15AM.  Details here.

UPDATE: THE SAVANNAH PARADE IS NOW CANCELLED:

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY IRISH BOWLING

Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Irish Road Bowling Tournament
Sat. March 21 2020, 9AM-Noon @ Hutchinson Island Racetrack
Cost: $25 per person, $75 per team.
Details & register here. 

The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge hosts a preschoolers “Young Explorers Club” on the first Tuesday of each month.

The free, hour-long monthly program for 3-4 year-olds starts at 10AM on the first Tuesday of each month.  There will be story time, crafts, snacks, and take-home activities all about this month’s topic.

The programs are at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (694 Beech Hill Lane Hardeeville, SC 29927).

Each month, a different animal or method of conservation will be highlighted. Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 30387 have designed the monthly programs as their service project for completing the Bronze Award. The themes are:

February – Lady Bugs
March – Plants
April – Recycle
May – Baby Birds
June – Alligators
July – Sea Turtles
August – Spiders
September – Fish
October – Butterflies
November – Turkeys
December – Ducks

For more information, please contact Joel Vos at (843) 784-2468.

Learn more here.

National Wildlife Refuge in Savannah/Hardeeville.
Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex
694 Beech Hill Ln
Hardeeville, South Carolina 29927

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FOR MORE FREE FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Savannah Children’s Museum to host Dr. Seuss Themed Event

On Sat., Feb. 29 2020, families are invited to celebrate the fun and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss during “Seuss Fest” 10AM-3PM @ Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd. Savannah, GA 31401.

Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss character in honor of the children’s book author, who would be celebrating his 116th birthday on March 2.

Museum educators will lead the group with Seuss stories, games and activities. Highlights include: Seuss Science Station, a Read-A-Thon and a Seusstastic Selfie Station, complete with costumes and props.

Community partners will provide Seuss-filled fun throughout the day. The Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah will lead a Green Eggs and Ham Relay as well as a “make your own water bottle” activity, Live Oak Public Library will lead literacy and reading themed activities, and Savannah Children’s Theatre will share Seuss-themed performances at 10:30 and noon.

Admission to “Seuss Fest” is included in the cost of regular admission to Savannah Children’s Museum,: $8 for all guests 18 months and older. This event is free for Coastal Heritage Society members. Learn about becoming a member here.

Seuss Fest 2020
Sat. Feb. 29, 2020
10AM-4PM
Savannah Children’s Museum
655 Louisville Rd.
Savannah, Georgia 31401

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Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 Old Fort Jackson Family Campover, a night-time event for families to experience historic programs and family fun in a 212-year-old National Historic Landmark. Event participants will also camp overnight within the fort walls.

The event will be Sat. March 7 from 4PM to Sun. March 8 at 8AM at Old Fort Jackson, 1 Fort Jackson Rd, Savannah, GA 31404.

During the event children and adults will train as soldiers, play period appropriate games, make crafts, and participate in flag training and drill stations. Guests will also learn how to operate a historic cannon.

There will be a flag presentation, letters from home, and a hearty celebratory meal for dinner. Also included in the ticket is a hot breakfast consisting of bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns, and biscuits.

Pre-registration and prepayment are required for this event. Tickets for the event are $75 per person for the general public and $65 per person for members. Tickets can be purchased online here.

A limited number of historic tents and bunks can also be rented for an additional fee. Contact Dan McCall at dmccall@chsgeorgia.org for more information.

Old Fort Jackson Annual Family Campover
March 7 2020 at 4PM until March 8 at 8AM
Old Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Rd.
Savannah, Georgia 31404

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Enrollment for Soccer Shots Spring Soccer is now open in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon and Bluffton.

Soccer Shots is kicking off the season and your child is invited to join Soccer Shots on Soccer Island.

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program for children ages 2-8 with a focus on character development.

Soccer Shots also offers special programming for children ages 3 and up with special needs. ​Weekly sessions focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. Through fun games and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active. Soccer Shots curriculum is aligned with early learning state standards and highlights a positive character trait each week such as respect, confidence and determination. And Soccer Shots coaches are the best in the business.

Visit Soccershots.org/savannah to learn more. Then click “View Locations” and use the new search feature to find a location near you that meets at a time that fits your schedule.

Soccer Shots has locations all throughout Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon and Bluffton. Spots will fill quickly, so enroll today.

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FREE Soccer Fun Day
Sat. March 21, 2020, 9-10:30AM

FREE & open to the public. Enroll online at savannah.soccershots.com. Search “free” to see a complete list of all free events near you

This is an opportunity for children to try Soccer Shots program for the first time and for parents to meet the coaches. Abbreviated 15 minute sessions and program information will be available. Event will take place on the Whitaker Street side of the park, on the south end by the tennis courts and farmer’s market.

Please preregister for this free event so organizers know how many children to expect. Enroll at savannah.soccershots.com. Search “free.”

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Toddlers Tuesdays @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah.

The popular Savannah nature program for kids offers a choice of 2 times: 10-10:45AM; and 11-11:45AM.

It is the same program each time, just pick the time that is more convenient to you.

Cost of the program: $5 per child that is participating and regular admission for the rest of your party. This is a special fundraising program, so even if you are members the cost is $5 per child.

Pre-registration is required! Space is limited to 15 students per session. Registration closes on Tuesday at 7:30AM. Please cancel if you know you won’t make it to open spaces for other children. Click on link below to register.

Problems with registration contact Ms. Michelle at michelle.kelly@sccpss.com or 912-395-1517.

Toddler Tuesday is a program designed to introduce our youngest learners to the wonders of the natural world. Children and their adults will experience nature through themed activities including songs, finger play, story time, nature walks, live animal encounters and crafts. Your child will commune with nature in a safe, playful and experiential way in Toddler Tuesday classes.

Click on link below to register for these 2020 Toddler Tuesdays.

March 24–A Vulture’s View

March 31–Frog on a Log in a Bog

April 7–3..2..1..Blast Off 

 April 14–National Dolphin Day!

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wildlife and education programs
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA, 31410
(912) 395-1212

Admission rates here.  

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

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From the sheep’s body to the finished wool product!

Observe and participate in the magical creation of a woolen shawl through all the stages of wool processing.

Members of The Fiber Guild of the Savannah’s join Oatland staff and volunteers in making this traditional Savannah spring celebration fun for the whole family.

The annual Sheep to Shawl Festival will be 10AM-2PM Sat. March 7 2020 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah.

The Oatland sheep will be sheared throughout the day with demonstrations of carding, spinning, dying and weaving the wool. Crafts, games, hay rides and other children’s activities as well as food concessions will be available.

Admission
$5 Adult, $3 Children

Sheep to Shawl 2020
Sat. March 7, 2020
10AM-2PM
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA 31410

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Come to the Fairy & Gnome Festival 2020 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah for a day of enchantment, Sat. April 25, 2020, 10AM-2PM

This family-themed festival is all about the “wee folk” getting up close with the natural world and encouraging imaginative play. Dress in costume and flaunt your wings in our fashion show; mine for magic gems; frolic in the enchanted forest for a fairy surprise; construct a fairy village; enjoy games and crafts inspired by the natural world.

Bring the whole family and stroll through Oatland’s magical trails and maybe you will catch a glimpse of a fairy or gnome looking for a place to call home. Additional fees may apply. All proceeds go to feeding our magical animal kingdom.

Cost: regular admission to Oatland Island Wildlife Center as well as some extra fundraising activities during the event. Find admission costs here.

Fairy & Gnome Festival 2020
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandown Rd.
Savannah, 31410
(912) 395-1500

UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL SEPT. 27

The 2020 Flannery O’Connor Birthday Parade and Street Fair will take place on Sun. March 22 2020, 1-4PM in Lafayette Square in Savannah.

This lively annual birthday celebration of acclaimed author and Savannah native Flannery O’Connor will offer family fun, live music and more. All are invited to join the parade, carry handmade signs and sing along.

Live music will be provided by a cavalcade of singer-songwriters and musicians from some of Savannah’s finest local bands in honor of O’Connor’s birthday. Music for the parade will be performed by the Sweet Thunder Strolling Band.

Local authors will be on hand with copies of their publications and information.

Costumes inspired by Flannery O’Connor’s characters and settings or by the author’s life are encouraged, but not required.

The event is free and open to the public. Rain date: Sun. March 29 2020.

Learn more here. 

UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL SEPT. 27

ABOUT THE FLANNERY O’CONNOR CHILDHOOD HOME:
The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, located at 207 E. Charlton Street in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of the South’s greatest writers. An established 501 3(C) nonprofit organization, the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home has been meticulously restored to reflect the authentic period furnishings of a Depression-Era Savannah rowhouse and to offer insight into the years that O’Connor lived in Savannah, from 1925 to 1938. The Home proudly presents a series of free lectures each spring and fall as well as other events throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.flanneryoconnorhome.org or call 912.233.60

From the sheep’s body to the finished wool product!

Observe and participate in the magical creation of a woolen shawl through all the stages of wool processing.

Members of The Fiber Guild of the Savannah’s join Oatland staff and volunteers in making this traditional Savannah spring celebration fun for the whole family.

The annual Sheep to Shawl Festival will be 10AM-2PM Sat. March 7 2020 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah.

The Oatland sheep will be sheared throughout the day with demonstrations of carding, spinning, dying and weaving the wool. Crafts, games, hay rides and other children’s activities as well as food concessions will be available.

Admission
$5 Adult, $3 Children

Sheep to Shawl 2020
Sat. March 7, 2020
10AM-2PM
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA 31410

U-pick Daffodils farm in nearby Okatie, SC (near Bluffton)

Hours of operation are dependent upon the weather & availability of flowers.  Check here and on Facebook here for hours  & opening/closing updates. If you’re coming in the afternoon, you are strongly encouraged to text 843-368-1998 to make sure the farm still has blooms and are still open.

Farm owners will post if they’re able to be open this weekend as soon as they know. Please call or text 843-368-1998 to make sure the farm still has flowers.

UPickDaffodils.com is family owned and operated on what was once the family dairy farm. Chuck and Diane have planted several varieties of daffodils, not all of which bloom at the same time, according to their Web site.

Cash or check only. Cost is 30 cents per stem.

UPickDaffodils
48 Calhoun Plantation Road
Okatie, SC 29909
843-368-1998
chuck@upickdaffodils.com

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Daytrips

Find more daytrips from the Savannah-area here.