Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade
6:30 PM Fri. May 17, 2013
Tybee Island, Georgia
For more information, please call Jack Boylston at
912.658.8134 or email at tybeejack@live.com.  

Prepare to get wet at this annual parade along Butler Avenue designed for beach bums of all ages!FREE  The floats are often trailers or boats, filled with water-throwing paraphernalia. Spectators, lined up along the parade route on Butler Avenue, armed with buckets, squirt guns and hoses. A Tybee Island tradition since 1987. There’s no better way to kick off the summer season on Tybee Island!

THE RULES:            Water balloons, buckets and pressure washers are prohibited and considered dangerous. No ice water. Restrict your targets to parade participants and on-lookers only. Do not attempt to aim your hose or water gun at a police officer. Residents and visitors are asked to use common sense in choosing and soaking your targets. It is illegal to open car doors or homes to spray inside. By following these guidelines, everyone can have a great time!

The SCAD Sand Arts Festival is 10 AM-4 PM Fri May 10 2013 on Tybee’s North Beach, featuring competitions in sand castle design, sand sculpture, sand relief and wind sculpture. FREE!

Every year, Tybee Island’s idyllic North Beach is transformed into a surreal landscape dotted with elaborate castles and wild creatures cast by the imaginations and creative skills of SCAD students.

The SCAD sculptors mold the sand into jaw-dropping, extraordinary and even humorous works of art as crowds flock to the beach to admire their efforts. View last year’s winning creations by clicking here in all five categories.

Stand Up Paddleboarding Fest (SUPfest)
11 am-2 p.m. Sat. May 18 2013.
This fun-oriented event will be held at Wilson Landing in Palmetto Bluff on the May River. The festival will include free introductory clinics and instruction, along with equipment trials and demonstrations. Clinics will be offered. Certified guides from Outside Hilton Head/Palmetto Bluff and several national paddlesport professionals will conduct the programs.

Free & open to the public.

For more information call (843)686-6996 or visit www.outsidehiltonhead.com .

Palmetto Bluff, 19 Village Park Square, Bluffton, SC 29910

What: Day Camp Opportunity

When: July 8-12, 2013

Where: Burton 4-H Center, Tybee Island GA

Cost:$170 per child

Information: www.burton4h.org or 912.786.5534

Burton 4-H Center Day Camp on Tybee Island July 8-12, 2013

The day camp program is open to all children 9 to 14yrs of age. Children can be dropped off as early as 7:30am each morning and picked up between 5:15 and 6:15pm each day at the 4-H Center. There will also be free bus service every day from Whitemarsh Island for those parents wanting to take advantage of the service. Camp fee includes fun, educational programming every day, beach time, bus service, lunch every day provided

by the 4-H Center, as well as a hamburger and hot dog cookout on Thursday evening for families of the campers. Camp cost for the week is $170 per child. All materials needed to register for camp are available at the website www.burton4h.org.

Meet and Greet with new  Tybee Island Maritime Academy Principal, Doug Clark
Monday, April 15
6:30 pm @ the school (714 Lovell Street, Tybee Island, GA 31328)

Whether you’ve already applied or are still thinking about it, please join  Tybee Island Maritime Academy   to meet the new principal for  and learn all about the school’s exciting, hands-on, project-based curriculum!

Tybee Island Maritime Academy will be a charter school operated by a governing board, approved by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School Board and the Georgia Board of Education. Charter Schools are independent, tuition-free, public schools that operate under a performance contract with the local school district and the state of Georgia.

The school will be located at 714 Lovell Avenue, Tybee Island, GA 31328. The site includes classrooms for up to 300 students, a cafeteria/gymnasium and a multi-purpose room. The school will also plan to use additional resources such as: The Tybee Island Library, the U.S. Coast Guard Station, the Tybee Island Lighthouse Station.

The school’s tentative opening date is August, 2013.

Cloth diapers have come a long way in the past ten years and The Great Cloth Diaper Change event serves to raise awareness of cloth diapering and create some added buzz and excitement, too!

To do this, several people in the cloth diapering movement, including locally owned Bottoms Up (a Savannah owned Home-Based and Online Store providing cloth diapering essentials and education) and the Low Country Real Diaper Circle (The Low Country Real Diaper Circle connects cloth diapering parents for support, education and advocacy in the greater Savannah area including Hinesville) have joined forces with the nonprofit Real Diaper Association to participate in the third annual Great Cloth Diaper Change international event taking place two days before Earth Day on Saturday, April 20,

What: “The Great Cloth Diaper Change” Savannah site event hosted by Bottoms Up and Low Country Real Diaper Circle. The Savannah location will be hosting a Green Baby Expo from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM featuring local vendors and Work at Home Moms. There will be a raffle with many amazing prizes and a diaper walk.

When: Saturday, April 20, 2013. Diaper Change is at 11:00 AM sharp with staging starting at 10:30 AM. The Green Baby Expo is from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Where: The American Legion Post 135 Ballroom – 1108 Bull Street Savannah, GA 31401

Why: Each year billions of disposable diapers enter landfills where it will take hundreds of years for them to decompose. The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an eye-opening experience for thousands of modern parents who choose to use a more planet-friendly alternative or those who deserve to know about their eco-friendly diapering options. It doesn’t hurt that cloth diapering also saves cash-strapped families a substantial amount of money too, especially during these tough economic times.

For more info, contact Stacy Mojica, 518-231-7876, lowcountryrdc@gmail.com  or June Moore, Media Coordinator, 404-819-5570 junebug1990@gmail.com

The Great Cloth Diaper Change, Savannah, www.facebook.com/GREATCLOTHSAVANNAH,  www.twitter.com/c4eb

At Fort Pulaski, free admission days for National Park Week (April 22-26). More info here.

2013 Fee Free Days

There are no entrance fees charged on these days.

April 22-26
National Park Week

August 25
National Park Service Birthday

September 28
National Public Lands Day

November 9-11
Veterans Day weekend

From Interstate I-95, take Exit 99 onto Interstate I-16 East (James L Gillis Memorial Hwy) for 7 miles.
Take Exit 164A onto Interstate I-516 East toward US-80 East.
Take Exit 3 (US-17 S/US-80 E) toward US-80 East.
Turn left onto Ocean Highway, Ogeechee Rd (US-17 N, US-80 East).
Bear right onto West Victory Drive (US-80 East).
Continue on US-80 East for 13 miles.

Savannah College of Art and Design’s 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 2013 will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

For details about the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival on Sat. April 27 in Forsyth Park, click here.

Savannah College of Art and Design’s 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

For details about the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival on Sat. April 27 in Forsyth Park, click here.

First Annual SCM Bug Festival
Coastal Heritage Society
May 4-5, 2013
Come learn all about our insect friends with family-friendly programming and activities all day!
Free for members, Regular admission ($7.50) for non-members.
Activities occurring throughout both days. Check schedule online for exact times.
For more information, click here.

Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401 email info@savannahchildrensmuseum.org , tel. 912-651-4292

Savannah College of Art and Design will host its 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 27, in Forsyth Park, between Whitaker and Drayton streets.

An imaginative, family-friendly FREE event, the festival is synonymous with spring in the heart of the historic district and draws thousands of visitors to view the temporary chalk masterpieces created by SCAD students, alumni and prospective students.

Entries in student, alumni and prospective student categories are judged during the chalk-art competition and monetary prizes are awarded at the end of the event.

The festival will be preceded by two nights of Films in Forsyth, which feature family-friendly films shown on the big screen of the park’s band shell. Disney’s “Wreck-it Ralph” will show 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will show 8 p.m., Friday, April 26.

In addition, the Sidewalk Arts Festival includes areas for children and young artists and musical entertainment throughout the day. Food from local vendors will be available for purchase during the event. The festivities are held in conjunction with SCAD Alumni Weekend 2013. All events are free and open to the public.

Allied Barton, Dixon Ticonderoga, Bahama Joe’s, Bebe Blinds and Coca-Cola generously support the 32nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival.

More info here.

Don’t miss the FREE spring family stargazing & astronomy day @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (formerly called The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens ) on Sat. April 20 in Savannah

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in conjunction with the Oglethorpe Astronomical Association invite you to see a scale model of our solar system, watch our conference center become a portable planetarium, find out how much you would weigh on Mars and how old you would be on Jupiter. Daytime gazing and children’s activities. End the day by watching the 1950’s Sci-Fi flick, “The Day the Earth Stood Still” followed by stargazing on the great lawn.

Free! April 20th from 2pm – 10pm

During the stargazing in the garden, telescopes will be set up for observation. Free & open to the public.

This is a great family event!

Here’s a list of children’s books on astronomy:

“Night Sky Atlas” by Robin Seagell
“Astronomy” by Kristen Lippincott
“Black Holes & Other Space Oddities” by Alex Barnett
“Space” by Simon Holland
“The Solar System: An A-Z Guide” by Christina Wilsdon
“Cosmic Light Shows” by Bobbie Kalman & April Fast
“Find the Constellations” by H.A. Rey
“The Stars: A New Way to See Them” by H.A. Rey

This event is free & open to the public.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (Formerly The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens), 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, GA. 31419. Please enter the gate on US Hwy. 17. Please call 912-921-5460 for information, http://bamboo.caes.uga.edu/, On Facebook here

St. Andrew’s School announces 1st grade screening
Saturday, April 27
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Is your child ready for first grade?
An advanced first grade curriculum includes:
· Balanced Literacy (advanced reading, authorship of stories and books, and public speaking)
· Math Challenge (numeration, computation, geometry and patterns, and functions and Algebra)
· Social Instruction (behavior and conduct, leadership and service, and character education)

St. Andrew’s School , a nationally accredited leader in early childhood education, invites your family to participate in a First Grade Screening to assess your child’s kindergarten progress and appropriate preparation for an advanced first grade curriculum. St. Andrew’s team of educators, including math and literacy specialists, will host a one-day only event to assess cognitive, social, and emotional readiness and answer your questions about what’s next.

Please call to make a reservation to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. They will meet at 10:30 a.m. While students are testing, parents can tour the school and speak with administration and current parents. Contact Christine Sapp at sappc@saintschool.com or 897.4941, x. 400 to reserve your spot today.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Fairy & Gnome Festival
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
10 AM-2 PM Sat. April 13
Join Oatland Island Wildlife Center for a day of enchantment! This family-themed festival is all about the “wee folk” getting up close with the natural world and encouraging imaginative outdoor play. There will be a scavenger hunt, costume contest, crafts, and games. All ages are encouraged to participate in the annual gnome and fairy home building contest. Homes can be built at the festival by using natural materials from Oatland’s forest. Bring your whole family to stroll Oatland’s magical trails and maybe you will catch a glimpse of a fairy or gnome looking for a place to call home.

General Admission applies: $5 for adults, $3 for children, seniors and military.
Children 3 and under are free.
There will be addition fees for some activities.

For more information please call 912-395-1517 or click here. .

Savannah College of Art and Design invites you to the 15th annual International Festival, an event featuring traditional music, dance, art and food to celebrate the diversity of SCAD’s international arts community.

The event is free and will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 6, in historic Forsyth Park between Whitaker and Drayton streets.

Performances by tropical salsa and merengue band Grupo Kachimbos de Savannah, reggae act Mystik NRG and DJ Omar Richardson are among the festival’s highlights. Other events include appearances by SCAD’s global fashion showcase, African folktales as told by Obakunle Akinlana, salsa dancing and belly dancers. Artwork will be available for purchase.

Visitors also have the chance to sample cuisine from around the world. Participating local restaurants providing samples for a minimal cost include Sushi Zen, Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Ruan Thai, Taste of India and Asian River. Food vendors will only accept cash at this event.

The festival is sponsored by SCAD’s international student services office, the Intercultural Student Association and Bon Appétit.

Savannah Children’s Museum is open 9am-5pm Monday and Thursday-Saturday and 12pm-5pm on Sunday. Details here.

Savannah History Museum will conduct Revolution in Savannah Battlefield Tours Saturday, Monday and Tuesday (March 30, April 1 & 2) at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, and 3:00. Tours will be led by a costumed historical interpreter and will include an in-depth explanation of the 1779 Revolutionary War Battle of Savannah, an interactive reenactment for kids, and a musket firing demonstration! Revolution in Savannah Battlefield Tours will be included with the purchase of Savannah History Museum admission OR a SEE 3 PASS combination ticket. Details here.

Old Fort Jackson in Savannah will have activities going on throughout Spring Break. Details here.

Dig Savannah: Tour an active Savannah archaeological site for free, Tues-Sat, March 19-May 11. FREE guided tours are 90 minutes each. Details here.

Spring Break Drop-off Art Activities @ Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center, Savannah.
These one hour programs are offered each day of the week at 10:15 a.m. Advanced registration encouraged but not required; class size is limited to 12 participants. Ages 5-18 years |; April 1 – April 5
Details here.

The UpBeats imagiNATION Workshop presents “A Jumpin’ UpBeat Sing-a-Long” , live @ Savannah Country Day School
April 6
Details here.

FREE Cherokee Spring Powwow, St. George
Cherokee of Georgia are gathering April 4-6, 2013: Thursday through Saturday for their annual spring powwow at the tribal grounds in St. George.
FREE Admission. FREE parking.
Details here.

Puppet People Spring Break Morning Shows, Savannah
April 1-5
Details here.

Spring Break Art Camp for Ages 5-12, Savannah
9 AM-5 PM April 1-5
Details here.

Nature Program: Toddler Tuesdays at Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah
The title of this nature program is misleading because it really is suitable for the preschool to kindergarten set.
Details here.

Season opener for Savannah Sand Gnats minor league baseball
April 4 with a second game on April 5
Details here.

Favorite Roadtrips to Kid-Friendly Spots Well-Worth the Drive
Details here.

Booth space is still available @ Savannah’s Women In Business Expo. This is a great chance to showcase your business in front of hundreds. The Savannah’s Women In Business Expo will take place at the Hyatt Regency in the downtown Savannah.

Check out the website at www.SavWomenInBusinessExpo.com for more great details about how you can participate. Registration deadline is quickly approaching so don’t wait. Join The Success At The Premier Expo Event.

Savannah’s Women In Business Expo Event, 1-877-WIB-EXPO or email womeninbusinessexpo@yahoo.com, www.savwomeninbusinessexpo.com

Easter 2014 in Savannah & Hilton Head Is.: Easter Egg Hunts, Easter kids’ activities. Check out our Easter 2014 Fun Guide by clicking here.

2013 Easter Brunch Cruise with Savannah Riverboat Cruises, Sun. March 31, 2013

Prices: Adult: $43.95 – Child: $23.95

Celebrate Easter on the Savannah River! Join the Savannah Riverboat Cruises family, including the Easter Bunny, for their annual Easter Sunday Brunch! All your favorite breakfast and lunch entrees will be served on this 1 1/2-hour brunch cruise. After brunch- children can enjoy exploring the boat during our Easter Egg Hunt! So, grab your family and friends and come take in the sights and sounds of historic Savannah. Boarding at 12:30 p.m Sailing at 1 p.m Returning at 2:30 p.m

2013 Easter Dinner Cruise, Sun. March 31 2013

Prices: Adult: $53.95 – Child: $29.95

Celebrate Easter on the Savannah River! Join the Savannah Riverboat Cruises 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. Boarding at 6pm, Sailing at 7pm, Returning at 9pm

More information including discounts here.

Reserve your spot by clicking here.

Savannah Riverboat Cruises, http://www.savannahriverboat.com/riverboat/cruises/2013-easter-cruises; 9 E River St
Savannah, 31401-1295; tel. (912) 232-6404 Savannah Riverboat Cruises is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

A popular Toddler Tuesday weekly nature program at Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah.

At Toddler Tuesday, children & their parents/caretakers experience nature through themed activities including live animal encounters, wildlife nature walks, storytelling, songs, interactive finger-play & crafts.

Oatland’s new naturalist Michelle Kelly will lead the session. Pre-registration required.

NEW TIMES: The popular & educational Toddler Tuesday program @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center is back to two times. The class will be offered from 10-10:45 AM and again from 11-11:45 AM.

April 16 Hip Hop Party To the hip, hop, hippity hippity, to the hip, hip hop you won’t want to stop!  We’ll learn hip hop, frog
style at this fun Toddler Tuesday event.

Pre-registration required. Call 395-1500

Toddler Tuesday Program Fees for 2012-2013: General: $5 per child $5 per adult Friends of Oatland Members: $5 per child, up to 2 adults FREE!

Program fee includes program and entrance to Oatland Island Wildlife Center and trails.

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

Driving directions here.

Whether your kids’ spring break is the week of March 25 or April 1, if you’re planning to stick around town, we’ve got you covered with fun, kid-friendly activities to check out. Be sure to check our Events Calendar for a complete listing of activities. Staycation Spring Break Activities in Savannah include:

Dig Savannah: Tour an active Savannah archaeological site for free, Tues-Sat, March 19-May 11. FREE guided tours are 90 minutes each. Details here.

Spring Break Drop-off Art Activities @ Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center, Savannah.
These one hour programs are offered each day of the week at 10:15 a.m. Advanced registration encouraged but not required; class size is limited to 12 participants. Ages 5-18 years | March 25 – March 29; April 1 – April 5
Details here.

The UpBeats imagiNATION Workshop presents “A Jumpin’ UpBeat Sing-a-Long” , live @ Savannah Country Day School
April 6
Details here.

Wkend Easter Egg Hunts. Details here.

Savannah Riverboat Cruises offers Easter Brunch Cruises with the Easter Bunny & an on-board Easter Egg Hunt, also Easter Dinner Cruises. Details here.

FREE Cherokee Spring Powwow, St. George
Cherokee of Georgia are gathering April 4-6, 2013: Thursday through Saturday for their annual spring powwow at the tribal grounds in St. George.
FREE Admission. FREE parking.
Details here.

Puppet People Spring Break Morning Shows, Savannah
April 1-5
Details here.

Spring Break Art Camp for Ages 5-12, Savannah
9 AM-5 PM April 1-5
Details here.

Dixie chicks: Chick Hatchery at Oglethorpe Mall, Savannah March 27-29. Kids can watch the chicks emerge from their eggs and hold a newly hatched chick. Details here.

FREE Storybook Art with Scribble Art Studio, Savannah.
Southwest Chatham Library
Tuesday, March 26, 4:30 p.m.
Featuring the book “The Princess and the Pea” by H.C. Andersen

Nature Program: Toddler Tuesdays at Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah
The title of this nature program is misleading because it really is suitable for the preschool to kindergarten set.
Details here.

Season opener for Savannah Sand Gnats minor league baseball
April 4 with a second game on April 5
Details here.

Favorite Roadtrips to Kid-Friendly Spots Well-Worth the Drive
Details here.

You are invited on a FREE guided tour of an archaeological dig in Savannah. Visit the site where plantations from the 1790s through the 1860s operated and where Civil War activity took place. Watch archaeologists uncover the past. Learn about the exciting history of Savannah.

Free tours are 90 minutes each, Tuesday through Saturday from March 19 through May 11, 2013. Tour times are 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Reservations for parties of 10 or less are not required. For group reservations of 11 or more, and/or for cutomized group tours (schools etc.), please contact Rita Elliott at relliott@newsouthassoc.com . Archaeology is being conducted by New South Associates

*Tours March 19-23 2013 will include the fun & interactive Archaeobus, Courtesy of The Society for Georgia Archaeology. Abby the Archaeobus is a creation of the Society for Georgia Archaeology, a group of professional and amateur archaeologists as well as interested citizens. The Archaeobus is a former bookmobile retrofitted with archaeology hands-on activities. Abby travels throughout the state, visiting school groups, giving presentations & even touring the State Fair!

Angela Beasley’s Puppet People will do shows for the public during Spring Break 2013, at 10 AM Mon. – Fri. April 1-5. Different shows every day during Spring Break @ Angela Beasley’s Puppet People “The Puppet Place” in Thunderbolt. More details coming soon to the the Puppet People Web site here.

Angela Beasley’s Puppet People “The Puppet Place” in Thunderbolt, 3119 Furber Ave, Savannah, GA 31404, 912-355-3366, http://puppetpeople.com. The Puppet Place is also an ideal spot to host children’s birthday parties! Puppet People is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Cherokee of Georgia are gathering April 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2013: Thursday through Saturday for their annual spring powwow at the tribal grounds in St. George.

There is no admission charge. FREE Admission, FREE parking.
More info here.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

This schedule is an estimate of times and activities
Thursday & Friday- Guided Field trips (Schools and home schools welcome)
9 a.m. ……………. Flag Raising, school field trips
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ………Social Dancing & Cultural Activities
SUNDOWN ……Lowering of our flags.
7 p.m. (Friday)…. Grand Entry, Intertribal Dancing
After Dancing (Friday) …………….Trade Blanket

Saturday
9 a.m. ……………. Flag Raising
NOON ………….. Lunch at Camp
1 – 5 p.m. ……….. Social Dancing, Cultural Activities and anything else
we come up with that may be culturally informative or even fun.
5:30 p.m. ………..Supper For The Camp
SUNSET ………..Flag lowering
7 p.m. ……………. Grand Entry, Invocation, Veteran’s Songs, Memorial Song
Commence Evening Program and Dancing.
After Dancing ……………………………Moonlight Auction

The Dancing will conclude when Dancers and Drummers stop.

Fry Bread, Indian Chili, Ice Tea, Lemonade, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Soft Drinks, Hot Dogs and French Fries are available at the cook shack. Breakfast is sold on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Library and Cultural Center will be open for your enjoyment between the afternoon dances and the evening grand entry and dancing on Friday and Saturday.

Our Nature Walk (starts at the west end of our parking lot) is open to the public.

For the convenience of everyone, there are bathrooms available. Your assistance in helping to keep them clean is appreciated.
http://www.cherokeeofgeorgia.us/main/events.sfx?Session=02456359