2022 marks the 26-year history of partnership between the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and the Gullah community. On February 12 2022, from noon-3PM, the free, community-wide Taste of Gullah festival will be held once again on the grounds of the Arts Center. It’s an exciting day of celebrating the entertainment, food, and art of the rich Gullah culture that remains an integral part of the history of Hilton Head Island.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
The day includes performances by the award-winning Voices of El Shaddai, basketweaving demonstrations by Michael Smalls and Dino Badger, and a special presentation of “Harriet Tubman” orations by Cora Miller. Gullah-inspired crafts will be outside for all ages as well.
There will be two food trucks: Melly Mel’s and Chef B. Eatz, featuring okra gumbo, red rice, fried fish, shrimp, slow smoked ribs and chicken. Beer, wine, soda and water will also be available as well.
A festival highlight will be a special unveiling of a large-scale mural . Through a series of workshops, children from the Arts Center, Penn Center, and the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton learned about the Gullah/Geechee culture then conceptualized and created the mural with artist Amiri Farris. The mural will then travel to various cultural sites in Beaufort County through Juneteenth. This project is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Also part of the festivities is the annual art exhibit and sale of The Aarts Ob We People inside the Walter Greer Gallery at the Art League of Hilton Head. The exhibit displays original work by acclaimed artists representing the life of Gullah people in the Lowcountry.
For more information on the Feb. 12 Taste of Gullah festival, please visit artshhi.com.
Find your Island Treasure now through Feb. 28 2022.
Every year, Jekyll Island commissions a group of highly skilled artisans from across the U.S. to create exquisite, handworked glass floats for Jekyll’s annual Island Treasures event.
(Jekyll Island is an easy, roughly 90-minute drive down I-95 from Savannah. See our list of things to do with kids on on Jekyll Island here. )
The glass floats are part of a hide-and-seek style game played on Jekyll Island throughout January and February. Each day, volunteers called Beach Buddies hide clear globes around the island for lucky guests to find and redeem for a real glass float. Gather your friends and family to search for globes that can be exchanged for dazzling handcrafted glass floats.
Posted in Daytrips from Savannah, Travel/Weekend Outings | Comments Off on Savannah Daytrips: Hide-and-seek game for handmade glass floats on Jekyll Island during Jan., Feb. 2022
The center’s 3:30PM weekday 30-minute nature programs have new daily themes. Visit to see some interesting wildlife up close and personal. Then stay to tour the center, which includes birds of prey, reptile, discovery trails with wetland preserve & more.
SAT. JAN. 29, 2021
11AM-4PM
SHELTER COVE COMMUNITY PARK
39 SHELTER COVE LANEHILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC, 29928
$10 ages 2-17, adults free
This is a family event that will have inflatable rides, a snowfield, and entertainment. For the kids who have never seen snow, this is the perfect event. The price of admission includes snow field. Additional rides and games sold separately.
Enroll now for a fun and educational way for your child to spend their winter break.
The Sandbox Children’s Museum Tanger Outlet location in Bluffton SC will offer a two, 4-day winter STEM camp that combines science with fun holiday activities the weeks of Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30 2021. Children will have supervised time to explore the exhibits, daily snacks, and staff-led projects. Choose one week or both.
Don’t miss the Sandbox Children’s Museum’s family friendly New Year’s celebration: Noon Year’s Eve. This special event will have themed art and STEM projects as well as a balloon drop at noon! Light refreshments will be served on our porch!
$15/person | $8/members – Space is limited so make your reservation now!
Visit www.thesandbox.org & click BOOK NOW, then click on General Admission, then calendar date.
Come play on The Sandbox Children’s Museum new shrimp boat on Hilton Head Is. and learn about the history of the commercial shrimping industry, parts of a shrimp boat, the life cycle of the Atlantic White shrimp, and how shrimp boats prevent turtles from being caught in the nets!
You’re invited this Sunday for The Sandbox Children’s Museum Author series @ 3PM this Sun. Nov. 14 with Ellen Giordano as she reads her book The Best Day Ever.
Free with Admission. Make sure you have a spot and reserve your tickets online @ www.thesandbox.org
For Fort King George Historic Site’s special Tricentennial anniversary, the annual Autumn Encampment will include reenactors from the three nations: England, France, and Spain. Join us for activities, demonstrations, and historical crafts. Festival includes a ceremonial parade procession and musket firing salute to honor the soldiers whose graves are marked at our historic cemetery.
Cost is standard admission.
Adults: $7.50
Seniors (62+): $7.00
Youths (6-17): $4.50
Under age 6 is free entry.
For 18th century reenactors and vendors looking to participate as a volunteer/camper, please call and register at 912-437-4770.
Veterans Day Parade 2021 in downtown Savannah, starts between 10AM-10:15AM @ Abercorn & Gwinnett streets on Thurs. Nov. 11. See the parade route above.
Located south of Savannah on the banks of the Ogeechee River, Fort McAllister State Park showcases the best-preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. Despite being attacked seven times by Union ironclads, the fort didn’t fall until 1864—ending General William T. Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” Explore the cannons, a furnace, bombproof, barracks, palisades and other remains of the battlefield, and admire artifacts in the Civil War museum. This scenic state park includes cabins, camping, walking trails, and fishing piers.
Tour the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast at Fort King George, which was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America from 1721 until 1736. The on-site museum offers a film detailing the 18th and 19th– century history of Fort King George, including Guale Indians, the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission, Fort King George, the Scots of Darien and 19th century sawmilling.
In the late 1700s, the Continental Congress fortified barracks on the Medway River at Sunbury to protect the seaport from the British. When the British demanded the fort’s surrender on November 25, 1778, the defiant Col. John McIntosh replied, “Come and take it!” The British refused and withdrew back to Florida, but 45 days later, they returned with a superior force, and on January 9, 1779, Fort Morris fell after a short but heavy bombardment. Stand within the earthwork remains and view scenic Saint Catherine’s Sound. A museum and film describe the colonial port of Sunbury and the site’s history.
Port Royal Music Academy Director Jim Bachety is excited to announce a special holiday-themed festival: Music from the Manger is coming to Port Royal.
The Celebration will take place Fri. Dec. 10-Sun. Dec. 12 in the Port Royal Village.
This music-filled Festival will feature a unique Christmas Village and a performance by the talented local recording artist Liz Jane, whose newly recorded first Christmas music CD is “A Thrill of Hope.” Concert proceeds will benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) of Beaufort.
The Music from the Manger Festival location will be at the end of the inside of Paris Avenue. Many performances with the simple nativity manger creche backdrop will be in the Safe Harbor rustic warehouse on 8th Street. There will be food and drink available, all sharing the theme of the holiday spirit rooted in the low country’s beautiful landscape.
Festival Chair Greg Shelton retired, and a former CEO of an Atlanta-based financial services company has lived in Port Royal full time since 2017. Creating the festival Music from the Manger with the Port Royal Music Academy was essential to Jim and Greg. “It demonstrates Port Royal Music Academy’s commitment to the community and the importance of giving to those less fortunate residing here,” Greg said. “Secondly, it will showcase a local young woman’s musical talent during this season of sharing while also benefiting CAPA of Beaufort.” He added, “Mark your calendars; you are not going to want to miss this.”
For additional information, visit MusicfromtheManger.com to view the schedule of events, purchase tickets, as well as to inquire about sponsorship and vendor opportunities. Learn more about performing artist Liz Jane at LizJaneMusic.com. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1.
Poppell Farms opens for the Fall 2021 season this Sat. October 2 2021. The farm is open every October weekend. Corn maze, hayrides, farm fun. Feed animals in the petting farm, try steer roping, Spyder Slyder and the all-time kids’ favorite, crop hoppers for big kids, which are giant jumping air pillows that have kids giggling upon their first bounce.
Learn more about Poppell Farms including hours & special events here.
Poppell Farms, email here, (912) 586-2215, 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, 31555 . On Facebook here. Poppell Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
UPDATE: Winner is Chelsea K.! Chelsea please email us at anne@southernmamas.com! Thanks to everyone who entered to win. A second Poppell Farms tickets giveaway will happen next month.
GIVEAWAY: A family four-pack of tickets to Poppell Farms pumpkin patch, corn maze
SouthernMamas.com is giving a lucky SouthernMamas.com reader a family-four pack of tickets to Poppell Farms, a favorite fall daytrip destination from Savannah featuring a 10-acre maze, 20+ farm fun attractions, petting farm,hayrides & pumpkin patch. Open weekends in October starting Oct. 2.
Enter to win: Just go to the SouthernMamas.com Facebook page giveaway post here & tell us your favorite place to visit during Fall – state park, pumpkin patch, festival, museum, show, anything and anywhere. Deadline to enter: 10PM Mon. Sept 27 . We’ll announce the winner here and on SouthernMamas.com Instagram & Facebook page soon after.
Be sure to visit Poppell Farms in October 2021. The farm is open every October weekend. Corn maze, hayrides, farm fun. Feed animals in the petting farm, try steer roping, Spyder Slyder and the all-time kids’ favorite, crop hoppers for big kids, which are giant jumping air pillows that have kids giggling upon their first bounce.
Learn more about Poppell Farms including hours & special events here.
Poppell Farms, email here, (912) 586-2215, 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, 31555 . On Facebook here. Poppell Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
10 kid-friendly local spots to visit this fall include Oatland Island Wildlife Center (pictured) in Savannah, home to more than 150 animals exhibited in natural habitats along a trail through forest and marsh lands. Exhibits include the “Wolf Wilderness” featuring gray wolves, armadillos, flying squirrels, screech owls and reptiles as well the Georgia Farm area with cows, sheep, goats and rabbits. Along the trail are cougars, bobcats, bison, alligators, red fox and birds of prey.
1. Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
$5 for parking.
52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, GA 31411
912-598-2300
3. The Sandbox Children’s Museum & Lowcountry Celebration Park, Hilton Head Is.
All Sandbox Children’s Museum admissions ticketing is now online here.
$10 per person; free for members and children ages 11 months and younger; $7.50 for seniors ages 65 and older and active military members with valid ID; $3 EBT(SNAP) holders with valid ID and $3 for EBT children and infants
80 Nassau St.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-7645
4. Poppell Farms, Odum, Ga.
Poppell Farms opens Sat. Oct. 2 for the 2021 fall season, weekends Oct. 2-Oct. 31 2021.
Find hours at www.poppellfarms.com
$15 plus tax for Saturday/Sunday daytime admission for ages 4 and older.
1765 Hyma Poppell Loop
Odum, GA 31555
912-586-2215
5. Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah
$5 for adults ages 17-64; $3 for children ages 3-17; seniors and military with valid ID; free for children ages 3 and younger.
711 Sandtown Road
Savannah, GA 31410
(912) 395-1212
6. Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, Savannah
$20 for adults; $18 for seniors, military with valid ID; $15 for students ages 13-25 with valid student ID; $5 for ages 5-12; free for ages 5 and younger.
207 W. York St.
Savannah, GA 31401
912-790-8800
10 kid-friendly local spots to visit this fall include Mitchelville Freedom Park (pictured) on Hilton Head Is., a free outdoor cultural attraction. This is the first place in the United States where Africans in America, just out of slavery and not yet citizens, governed themselves. Self-guided tours of exhibits.
The new park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features:
*The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool and more.
*An open pavilion and lawn for events.
*A perimeter walk
*Two fitness stations
*Wi-Fi
*The Sandbox Children’s Museum
*Public restrooms
Lowcountry Celebration Park
94 Pope Ave.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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Toddler Time @ The Sandbox Children’s Museum, Hilton Head Is.
This staff-led special parent-child activity time for toddlers is geared to children ages 1-3. Explore music and movement, arts, and science, and nature activities with your toddler @ The Sandbox Children’s Museum.
Join The Sandbox Children’s Museum during the 1:30PM play session for a special STEAM activity @ 3PM.
These hands-on staff-led activities will ignite your child’s love for science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Designed for children ages 5 and older.
Saturdays Sept. 4-Oct. 23 2021.
Free with admission. Reserve your spot for Sandbox’s 1:30 play session online at www.thesandbox.org
(Please note the new address below)
80 Nassau St.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-7645
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Imagination Hour @ The Sandbox Children’s Museum, HHI
Weekly Imagination Hour @ The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. features a staff chosen book and a related arts crafts project uniquely designed for parents and caregivers to enjoy one-on-one time with their children. Each week features a different story making it the perfect activity for you and your family.
Imagination Hour is geared for children age 5 and under; however, siblings and guests are always welcome to join! We invite you to stay and enjoy the museum following the program—the Learner’s Loft is home to the Sandbox’s very own library—the perfect spot to explore another story or bring a story to life with a puppet show. Let their imaginations run wild.
Open gym 9AM-5PM Mon through Friday. CLOSED Saturday for parties.
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Ignite the Senses Gym is a gym for ALL kids…
At Ignite the Senses, we ignite each child’s curiosity to explore new activities and new social relationships. Ignite the Senses gym is a fun, clean and safe place for kids to play, learn and party.
As Bluffton’s only children’s sensory gym, we intend to spread community awareness and acceptance for those living with Autism in and around the Lowcountry. We will provide a safe and fun indoor environment where autistic and typical children can grow physically, emotionally, and socially together whether in the open gym setting or in any of the small group classes offered.
Ignite the Senses also has a new half day preschool program where children do active learning.
The gym’s motto: It’s OK to be DIFFERENT!
Check out the difference Ignite the Senses can make in your family’s life.
Learn more about Ignite the Senses Children’s Gym in Bluffton here.
Ignite the Senses Children’s Gym
163 Bluffton Road, Suite C1
Bluffton, SC 29910
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Ignite the Senses Children’s Gym is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
In recognition of World Ranger Day, join rangers @ Fort King George State Historic Site in Darien, Ga. for a fun, activity-packed day where any Junior Ranger can earn a Georgia “Go Do” patch on Sat. July 31 2021.
Traditionally, to earn one of these patches requires completing each category five times. This year if anyone participates in one of these activities on July 31 2021, they can earn the patch!
Fort King George is offering 2 programs with 2 patches. Complete a scavenger hunt through the Fort, collecting clues, and earn an Outdoor Fun patch. Or, help rangers create a flourishing colonial medicine garden and earn a Kids Care patch.
Cost: $4.50-$7.50
Fort King George State Historic Site
302 McIntosh Road SE
Darien, GA 31305
McIntosh County
912-437-4770.
Lowcountry Celebration Park – which opened in December 2020 – includes Adventure Playground for kids, a discovery trail, pavilion and lawn for festivals, exercise stations, Wi-Fi, restrooms.
The new visitor center @ Skidaway Island State Park includes floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the maritime forest and marsh plus birding from a screened porch; a 20-feet high giant ground sloth skeleton, a replica of an ancient fossil found within the park in 1822; nature exhibits including turtles and snakes; a gift shop is filled with clothing, toys, books, camping supplies, jewelry and local foods. The visitor center also includes meeting space, classroom space and staff offices.
Skidway Is. State Park regularly offers kid-friendly events. Find the schedule here.
Mohawk Lake Trail
The 17-acre lake (pictured above) located at 1132 Mohawk Street now has a new walking/jogging trail and dog park that opened in July 2021.
A roughly three-mile section of the proposed six-mile public Truman Linear Park Trail runs between Lake Mayer and East DeRenne Avenue, parallel to the Truman Parkway and Casey Canal. Part of the trail includes a boardwalk (pictured below) that runs through a woodsy section of Magnolia Park neighborhood. Learn more here.
Richmond Hill Independence Day Celebration, Sat. July 3 2021
Sat. July 3 2021, 4:30-10:30PM JF Gregory Park, Richmond Hill
Free & open to the public.
Family fun with entertainment, fireworks, food, inflatables and more.
Admission is free. Learn more here.
Savannah-area fireworks, Sat. July 3 2021
Savannah Bananas home baseball game & fireworks Sat. July 3 2021. Fireworks immediately following the game. Details here.
Savannah Stars and Stripes July 4th Weekend festivities at Savannah’s Plant Riverside District
July 2-5 1-10PM
Featuring live music, Savannah Cirque performances, nightly fountain shows, a July 4 boat parade (3-5PM) & July 4 fireworks show (9:15PM).
400 W River St.
Details here.
July 4th Fireworks @ The Pier @ Tybee Island, Sun. July 4 2021
Sun. July 4, 2021, 9:15PM
Tybee’s annual celebration of America’s birthday. Independence day fireworks start between 9:15 pm and 9:30 pm. The show is staged on the pier but is easily viewed from any of Tybee Island’s eastern beaches.
Savannah Fireworks, River Street, Sun. July 4 2021
Savannah’s Waterfront will host the annual Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sun. July 4th at 9:15PM.
New to Independence Day this year: Freedom Floats Boat Parade. This All-American Boat Parade will pass by Plant Riverside District between 3:30-5PM July 4.
More information here.
HILTON HEAD IS. FIREWORKS
Shelter Cove Harbour Fireworks, Sun. July 4
HarbourFest on July 4 at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is an expanded version of the activities at Shelter Cove each Tuesday night during summer. Entertainment; children’s activities, food and more. Activities start at approximately 6PM., with fireworks at 9PM.
More information here.
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Fourth of July activities
(Savannah) Free ice cream for kids 12 & younger for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 4-7PM Thurs. July 1 & Monday afternoons during July @ Leopold’s Ice Cream. Details here.
(Richmond Hill) Independence Day Celebration @ Fort McAllister State Park
Sat. July 3, 2021 10AM-3PM
Celebrate Independence Day like it’s 1864. An old-fashioned celebration with living history demonstrations and musket demonstrations. $9. 912-727-2339.
(Hilton Head Is) FREE special July 4th outdoor performances with beloved kids-entertainer Gregg Russell @ Harbour Town in Sea Pines Resort, 8-9:30PM Sun. July 4. ($9 per vehicle gate fee). Details here.
