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

Savannah Children’s Theatre, 2160 E. Victory Drive at the corner of Skidaway Road & Victory Drive next to Piggly Wiggly, Savannah, 31404, (912)238-9015 email info@savannahchildrenstheatre.org , www.savannahchildrenstheatre.org

FOR MORE SUMMER 2013 CAMPS IN THE SAVANNAH/HILTON HEAD IS. AREA, CLICK HERE.

Looking for the perfect summer camp for your little one? Check out JEA Camp Savannah.

JEA Camp Savannah staff members strive to provide a nurturing environment that fosters self-confidence, Jewish identity, community consciousness, integrity and respect for others.

JEA Camp Savannah teaches universal values helping your child to embrace new concepts, develop independence and create meaningful friendships.

The camp welcomes campers from all religious and cultural backgrounds.

Camp director DJ Horton has planned each week of summer in a “themed” week to keep your camper excited about camp! Click here to read more details about each themed week of camp at the JEA.

Register here.

JEA Camp Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111,  JEA Camp Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Join the Savannah Riverfront at the First Friday & Saturday festivities ON THE RIVER which includes Friday night fireworks.

Come down to Historic River Street to celebrate the end of the week, and the beginning of a new month for September First Friday & Saturday! Start your weekend off with a bang, as First Friday Fireworks presented by Wet Willie’s begin at 9:30p.m.!

Weekend festivities will kick-off on Friday, September 6 from 4-10p.m. and continue on Saturday, September 7 from 10a.m.-10p.m. DJ’s-to-Go will be playing music on the Arbor Stage and Rousakis Plaza will be full of featured local and regional artists displaying their works. Take a stroll along the plaza while browsing through each of the booths and chatting with the artists themselves. Make sure to stop by our beverage station offering ice cold Coke products and select beers.

This year’s Festival Series is hosted by the Savannah Riverfront and proudly sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Southern Eagle Distributing, Savannah Coca-Cola, Wet Willie’s, and our friends at Adventure Radio. Enjoy the Savannah Riverfront: The Way to Experience Savannah.

Schedule of events here.

For more information, go to www.riverstreetsavannah.com or call 912-234-0295.

Bring your little cyclists to Tour de Kids, hosted by Amerigroup and Interfaith Hospitality Network on 11 AM-1 PM Sat. May 18 @ Lake Mayer. 1st 50 kids will receive a FREE helmet. There will be safety info, games, snacks, music, prizes & more.

Amerigroup will pay the registration fee for any girl k-5th grades who is interested in joining Girl Scouts at this event.

Savannah Children’s Museum’s 1st Birthday Fundraiser Celebration is June 7, 2013!

An after-hours, adult-only birthday celebration! Tickets are $35 per person. Your ticket includes two complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will be available. Raffles will be held in support of Savannah Children’s Museum.

Friday, June 7, 2013
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person

If you would like to attend, please contact Samantha Pogorelsky at 912-651-6840 x 2.

Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31401

You’re invited: 32nd Annual Old Fort Jackson Auction, 6-9 PM Sat. Aug. 24, 2013

Old Fort Jackson’s Annual Auction & Low Country Boil is a Savannah family tradition! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tour Georgia’s oldest brick fort at sunset, with live music, great food and cannon firings. All proceeds go directly toward the preservation and operation of Georgia’s oldest standing brick fortification.
This is Old Fort Jackson’s only annual public fundraiser. Support your fort!

Old Fort Jackson: 1 Fort Jackson Rd Savannah, Georgia 31404

(912) 232-3945 www.chsgeorgia.org

Roller Derby: The Savannah Derby Devils women’s roller derby team will return to the Savannah Civic Center arena May 18 with exciting, family-friendly fun. Bouts start at 5 & 7 PM. Tickets: $2-$16. Bouts include half-time kids’ events. Details here.

Don’t miss Lynnae Weller as she presents an imaginative balloon art program featuring several popular children’s books such as “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Green Eggs and Ham” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. FREE! More info here.

Hinesville Library, 368-4003 Monday, May 06, 10:30 a.m

Midway-Riceboro Library, 884-5742 Monday, May 06, 4:30 p.m.

Thunderbolt Library, 354-5864 Tuesday, May 07, 11:00 a.m.

Southwest Chatham Library, 925-8305 Tuesday, May 07, 4:30 a.m.

West Broad Library, 232-6395 Wednesday, May 08, 10:30 a.m.

Rincon Library, 826-2222 Wednesday, May 08, 4:30 p.m.

Pooler Library, 748-0471 Thursday, May 09, 10:30 a.m.

Islands Library, 897-6233 Thursday, May 09, 2:15 a.m.

Port City Library, 964-8013 Tuesday, May 14, 10:30 a.m.

Oglethorpe Mall Library, 925-5432 Tuesday, May 14, 4:30 p.m.

More info here.

Lynnae Weller is the owner of Savannah Balloons. If you want to have crazy amounts of fun at your next birthday party, please contact Lynnae with Savannah Balloons at 912-228-3024 or e-mail info@savannahballoons.com , www.savannahballoons.com/

Like Savannah Balloons on Facebook here.

Savannah Balloons, 912-228-3024, e-mail info@savannahballoons.com , www.savannahballoons.com/ Savannah Balloons is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

2013 Mother’s Day Brunch with Savannah Riverboat Cruises

Prices: Adult: $43.95 – Child: $23.95

No cooking – No cleaning – Just plenty of time for family fun! Picture your mom dining on a delicious buffet and kicking her heels up on the dance floor, while cruising the Savannah River! Make this year a Mother’s Day she will cherish for years to come! Includes 1 1/2 cruise, brunch buffet, entertainment…all for mom! Show mom how much you care this year! Boarding at 12:00 p.m Sailing at 1 p.m Returning at 2:30 p.m

2013 Mother’s Day Dinner

Prices:  Adult:  $53.95 – Child:  $29.95

Sit back, Relax, and let us do all of the work!  This Mother’s Day, let Savannah Riverboat Cruises help you make this a Mother’s Day she will never forget!  This 2 hour cruise includes a buffet dinner, live entertainment, and an unforgettable evening!

The menu includes: Menu includes: carving station with beef top sirloin & bourbon peach boneless pork loin, Savannah Shrimp & Grits, Boneless Breast of Chicken with Lemon Artichoke Sauce, Catch of the Day, Vegetarian Pasta selection, seasonal vegetable, assorted fresh salads, fresh fruit display, and an assortment of desserts.

Boarding begins at 6:00.  Sailing from 7:00 – 9:00

Groups of 25 or more, please contract our group sales department for ticket information.

More information including discounts here.

Reserve your spot by clicking here.

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

You’re invited to the 37th Annual Savannah Scottish Games
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat. May 11, 2013
@ Bethesda Home for Boys, 9520 Ferguson Avenue
912.233.6017
Bring your family and friends out for a day of Scottish cultural heritage, food, entertainment, shopping, highland dancing, piping, heavy athletic competitions and children’s activities.
Gates open at 9:00 with opening ceremonies at 12 noon
The Savannah Games are the 4th oldest Scottish games in the Southeastern United States. The Games allow the visitor to enjoy the sounds, tastes, and visual images that Highlanders experienced as early as 100 AD. Come join a grand celebration of Scottish culture with competition, entertainment, shopping, activities, and refreshments for the entire family!
Schedule of events here.

Adults – $10 in advance & $12 at the gate
Children 11 – 17 – $5
Children 10 and under – free
Military with ID – $8

Friends of the Coastal Gardens presents their 19th annual, “Sunday Supper in the Strawberry Patch” Sunday April 28 from 5-7pm @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419

Garden tours begin at 4pm followed by a delicious, traditional Sunday supper, silent auction, door prizes and entertainment. 25.00 per person. Checks can be made payable to “Friends of the Coastal Gardens” Please RSVP by April 25, (912) 921-5460. More info here.

Side note: According to the Coastal Georgia Botanical Facebook page, their pick-your-own strawberry fields are closed until Monday (April 22) at 9 am AT THE EARLIEST. Strawberries are you-pick only, sold at $2.00/lb. Regular picking hours are Monday through Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm. Keep in mind, the field often closes before 4 pm when there are no more ripe strawberries left. It’s always wise to call ahead to ensure there are ripe berries on the day of a planned visit, (912) 921-5460. There is no strawberry picking on Sundays.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419, www.coastalgeorgiabg.org

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