The wait is finally over. The TV series Lovetown, USA, is finally filming. The big kick off event is a “Love Rally” at Howard Gilman Waterfront Park in downtown St. Marys, GA, taking place on Sunday, February 11, 2012 starting at 2 pm. This is going to be the first official event for the TV series. As you probably know, the series is a co-production between the BBC and Opray Winfrey’s Network, and the series is schedule to start broadcast in the summer. The crew is already in town, and you might see them around. If you are interested in getting seen on the Opray Winfrey Network, don’t miss the big Love Rally in downtown St. Marys. We want to make a big impression, so help spread the word by sharing this post on facebook and social networks.

Due to an early sellout of The Drifters Star Spectacular Show in St. Marys, a second performance has been added. Tickets are now available for a 6:00 pm performance on February 4 and can be purchased at the St. Marys Welcome Center, 111 Osborne Street in St. Marys.

The legendary music that inspired Rolling Stone Magazine to name The Drifters #81 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Times” is coming to St. Marys February 4, 2012.

Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters will be bringing back some of baby boomers’ greatest memories with hits like “Under the Boardwalk”, “This Magic Moment”, “Up on the Roof”, “On Broadway”, and “Save the Last Dance for Me” at the Theatre by the Trax.

The Drifters originally formed in 1953 and achieved 13 chart hits during their career, writing and performing doo-wop and blues all over the world.

Star Spectaculars

Doug and Jeanne Vaught, proprietors of Theatre by the Trax, are planning a series of “Star Spectaculars” that will feature some of the music industry’s most beloved performers. They felt that launching the series with The Drifters would set the perfect tone for future concerts.

“The Drifters are legendary,” said Doug Vaught. “Their music is a blend of nostalgic magic and on-stage excitement that few new artists can lay claim to.”
Vaught was referring to the showmanship for which groups like The Drifters are famous.

Dr. Roy’z Magical Musical Time Machine is the opening act for the February 4th concert, a great choice to get the audience thinking “oldies but goodies,” Vaught said.

200 Tickets

Only 200 tickets will be sold for The Drifters concert and Vaught said that tickets were going fast. Tickets can be purchased in Kingsland at Kingsland City Hall, and in St. Marys at On the Green Salon and Day Spa, Once Upon a Bookseller, Cedar Oak Café, and St. Marys Seafood & More. Vaught said if people outside the area could not get into town
to purchase the tickets, they can call 912-552-5559 and arrange to have them mailed.

For more information, about the Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters concert or Theatre by the Trax, call 912-552-5559.

The Drifters 1955

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the news reached Kingsland – the city of Kingsland, Georgia, has been named Lovetown, USA. After a nationwide search, Oprah Winfrey Network and BBC Worldwide Productions have selected Kingsland, GA, to be the location for a new TV series. In the month of February, two expert matchmakers including the real-life “Hitch,” Paul Carrick Brunson, and Kailen Rosenberg, with more than 200 successful marriages to her name, will help eight singles embark on a journey to find true love.

From the local mayor to restaurateurs, bosses and even married couples, everyone in the town will be involved in the biggest social experiment in TV history. The new series, scheduled to premiere this summer, will film 8 episodes in Kingsland over a four week period beginning in mid-February.

If you would like to be a part of this ground-breaking experience, send your name, age, contact information and photos of yourself along with a brief story about why you are ready to fall in love to: LovetownUSA@gmail.com The casting deadline is right around the corner, so contact us today!!

LOVETOWN CASTING DEPARTMENT: (323) 785-4616

Also, visit Lovetown on Facebook.

Recently we visited Cumberland Island to for the TV show “I Know Jax” broadcast on CW 17 in the greater Jacksonville area. The story about Cumberland Island is going to air in the Hit the Road Jax segment of the TV show on Saturday November 19 at 11 pm.

The episode is showcasing the beautiful nature of Cumberland Island with its live oaks and vast, sandy beaches.  The island is also an important stopover point for migrating birds on the transatlantic migratory flyway, but maybe it’s most known for its wild horses.

Joe visits Cumberland Island - I Know Jax on CW17

For those of you who want to find love and be on TV, this is a chance of a lifetime. The TV show Lovetown USA is having a casting call on Wednesday November 9, 2011, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Kingsland Visitors Center.  Everyone who is single is encouraged all   to come to Kingland Welcome Center and fill out the casting application. You will get your  picture taken and your application will be sent to the show.
To find out more about the show, read our previous post about Lovetown, USA – just click here.

Make sure to watch the video below to find out more.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is developing BBC Worldwide Productions “Lovetown, USA”,
an original unscripted TV project about mass matchmaking in an American town for a potential 2012 series show.
In the show, a group of expert matchmakers would set up operations for 30 days in a city of approximately 15,000 people, looking to pair up as many eligible singles as possible. Last week, the show’s casting began its search for the centerpiece town.
On Monday, Kingsland Mayor Kenneth Smith was contacted regarding an anonymous nomination for the City of Kingsland as the featured LoveTown location. The show’s casting team has given Kingsland a one week deadline for submission to the next level of the selection process. “We have one week to garner community support to demonstrate that we are willing to work together to host this opportunity,” stated Mayor Smith. The application states that the producers are “looking for an area with real community spirit” and that the selected town should be a “storybook, picturesque location and with a definite sense of community that can come together to help match the singles and bring a new found mutual love to the entire community”.

The Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau has been selected as the lead agency for communication with the television network. Tonya Rosado, CVB Executive Director, commented “Local economic impact from productions can be very significant, including hiring of local residents, hotel stays and purchases of goods and services. Plus there is a great tourism draw to your community after the project is released”. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, television productions bring substantial economic impact to the community through local employment, purchases of local goods, hotel stays, location fees, and other investments.
Every project generates word of mouth about your community’s cooperation and can lead to larger projects down the road.
Community Call to Action – Don’t Let Love Pass Us By!! We need community support by Friday, November 4th
to solidify this nomination. If you believe the Kingsland/Camden community is a great place to fall in love or if you would like to find the love of your life in your own backyard, send your name, age, contact information, and photos (of romantic places in the community) along with a brief story about why you and your town are ready to fall in love to: LoveTown@VisitKingsland.com

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is the name of St. Marys Little Theatre’s holiday production that will be performed at Theatre by the Trax on December 16, 17 and 18. Auditions for all parts will be held on November 1 at 6 pm at Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne Road in St. Marys. Roles that need to be filled include:

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, 6-8 year old girl and boy, mom and dad (25-40 years old), other children to be elves, adult carolers, and more.

All roles (except mom and dad) are singing parts. Families are encouraged to audition together if interested.

According to St. Marys Little Theatre Chair, Barbara Ryan, the group’s first holiday production will be an enchanting musical that will appeal to all ages.

“It begins with little Susie Anderson who lives in St. Marys and has lost her belief in Santa,” Ryan said. “But before the show is over, she is inspired to believe, as will the entire audience.”

Audiences can expect special effects at the same level of quality as they enjoyed in Man of La Mancha, the Theatre’s premiere production. Joe and Terra Lucent, producers of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, wanted to give the community an opportunity to share the joy of the holiday with a message of hope and love.

“We’ve mixed traditional songs with contemporary music and threaded it all with a story that will stir the hearts of everyone,” Terra said. “My husband and I love Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year, and it will be even more special this year as we endeavor to enrich the community’s experience of the holidays with this beautiful production.”

The play’s script was written by Barbara Ryan and is anchored by the beloved poem that is carried by the play’s name. Tickets can be purchased at the St. Marys Welcome Center, Bulldog Liquors, or Cedar Oak Café. Prices are $10 for adults, and $6 for children under 12. Call 912-729-1103 for more information or visit www.stmaryslittletheatre.com.

Many kids love the month of October. The big attraction is of course Halloween, the scarecrows, haunted tours and the collecting as well as eating candy. During the month of October, the city of St. Mary, dresses up to entertain both young and old. Beside pumpkin and scarecrows, some of the best seafood and best BBQ around is going to be available for sampling in the downtown area. That is enough to get us excited and love the month of October.

Rock Shrimp Festival

October 1, 2011

This festival has been going on for years. It is definitely considered a classic – and if you have never tasted rock shrimp – this is your chance to do so. Watch our video about the Rock Shrimp Festival and get all the details on our special events page. Rock Shrimp Festival.

Hay Days

October 8 – 31, 2011

Businesses and organizations compete for bragging rights when it comes to creating the most fun and creative display downtown. Make sure to take a trip downtown to take a look. Besides a Scarecrow Stroll, you also get the opportunity to come downtown to build your own scarecrow. Read more about Hay Days here.

Sand Gnat Challenge

October 15, 2011

Television is full of cooking shows and cooking competitions from Hell’s Kitchen, to Iron Chef and beyond. Everyone knows how much we love our barbeque here in the South, and in Camden we have combined the excitement of competition with good BBQ.  If you love good food and good fun, don’t miss this one. You can get more details about the Sand Gnat Challenge right here.

Taste of Camden

October 20, 2011

This is another popular food event happening in the month of October. Taste of Camden takes place at Camden County Rec. Center every year. Many restaurants from Camden County participate and it’s a great way to get a taste of delicious food available in Camden County today. Find out more on our special events page for Taste in Camden.

Haunted History Tour

October 28, 2011

One of the most anticipated events for October is the haunted history tour, Camden County’s own version of Haunted House. Mark your calendars. More details about the Haunted History Tour here.

Kingsland Fall Festival

On Monday, October 31, 2011, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM both young and old can join the fun at the Kingsland Fall Festival. Visit the “Pirates of the Royal District” for treats and safety tips and be sure to bring your camera for fun photos with the Pirate Cut-Outs.

The organizers promise fun activities for all ages, FREE hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, bouncy houses, cake walks, train & hay rides and of course lots of candy at this great Kingsland festival.
The winner of the “People’s Choice” award for Best Scarecrow in downtown Kingsland will also be announced at this event.

The Kingsland Fall Festival is hosted by the Kingsland First Baptist Church, Kingsland United Methodist Church and Kingsland Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Here is a video that our friend Lisa made for the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance showcasing our beautiful surroundings in Camden County. Take a look…

RECENT RAIN BRINGS LITTLE RELIEF TO GEORGIA WILDFIRES

Even with up to an inch of rain falling on raging wildfires in south Georgia, fire activity continues to be heavy throughout the state. In the past 48 hours, Georgia Forestry Commission firefighters responded to 52 new wildfires, primarily in the southeastern portion of the state.

Since July 1, 2010, the state has recorded 8,917 wildfires that burned 94,830 acres of private forest lands (not including fires on public lands). These figures are up 35 percent and 74 percent, respectively, from Georgia’s five-year fire average.
Major fires being fought by Georgia Forestry Commission crews include:

• Long County – Frazier Harris Road fire (started 6/9) has burned 600 acres. Crews currently have the fire contained, but continue to monitor containment lines;
• Ware County – Sweat Farm Again fire has burned 19,695 acres; fire is not contained;
• Ware/Charlton/Clinch Counties:
• Honey Prairie Complex has burned 226,910 acres in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and is 54 percent contained; for more on this fire, visit www.inciweb.org/incident/2214;

Racepond fire and Sawfly fire have merged and burned 24,987 acres together;

GFC officials are asking citizens to remain vigilant as fire conditions escalate.
“Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars, make sure any chains or other metal objects hanging from moving vehicles are secured so they won’t come in contact with the road, and avoid any other activity that could spark fires,” said Alan Dozier, GFC’s Chief of Forest Protection. “No burn permits are being issued in the state of Georgia until conditions improve.”
GFC is providing fires updates through twitter (@GaTrees) as new details become available. For more information on wildfires, fire safety and the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.