We recently visited the Car Show in Kingsland, GA – The Run About in the Royal District. This year it was a great event with lots of participants. The weather was gorgeous.

We also shot a video – and we will let you know as soon as this video will be broadcast and is uploaded to the internet.

Here are some of the events happening around “Lovetown, USA”.

Friday March 2, 2012 at 6 p.m.
Justin’s Miracle Field

You are invited to come out and support the game. Television crew will be on site.

Saturday, March 3, 2012
Love your Lawn
Bring your neighbor a plant, mow a yard for someone or put up a Lovetown sign!  You can email lovetown@visitkingsland.com

Learn to Line Dance
email lovetown@visitkingsland.com if you want to learn how to line dance on Saturday. Participants will dance at the Heart & Soul Festival.

Sunday, March 4, 2010

Heart & Soul Festival
March 4, 2012
North Shore, Kingsland, GA

This event combines the best of the Catfish Festival in Kingsland , the Rockshrimp Festival in St. Mary and the Crawfish Festival in Woodbine into one happy Camden family event. Food tickets for “Tastes” of Catfish, Rock Shrimp & Crawfish Etouffee are available NOW at the Kingsland & St. Marys Welcome Centers.  Advance food tickets are $10 per person and one ticket covers all three “Tastes of Camden County”.  Food tickets are limited to get yours today.

Here you can enjoy “Live Music”, “Country Line Dancing” and “Mechanical Bull Rides”.  There will be lots of activities for the little ones too including a “Bounce House”, “Face Painting” and “Balloons”.

Seeds of Love Community Garden Grand Opening Bash
Wednesday, March 4 at 4 pm – 6 pm
at Seeds of Love Community Garden – Kingsland

Details to be announced…

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Wedding Vow Renewals
Heritage House Wedding Chapel

If you are interested in renewing your vows in front of the cameras and participating in this beautiful celebration of your love for each other, please email heritagehouseweddings@tds.net  and bring your bouquet to the Heritage House Wedding Chapel on Saturday, March 10th.  Camera shy or can’t make the event, your participation is still needed! Download a “Lovetown Wedding Vow Renewal Certificate”, sign it together with your own personal renewal of vows or by sharing a simple “I Love You”, take a picture of yourselves as a couple holding the Certificate and submit it to us so you can be counted among the Lovetown Renewals!  Have a question?  Please contact team leader, Pauline Butler at PH:  (912) 674-4214 or Email heritagehouseweddings@tds.net.

Lovetown Ball
March 11, 2012
TBD

The Lovetown Events culminate with a big bash to celebrate the end.

• Movie Night: February 23, 2012 from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM at the Chris Gilman Stadium at Camden County High School
• Art Walk & Music Festival: February 26, 2012 from 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM at the 100 block on Lee Street in downtown Kingsland. This event will feature a special concert with country artist Sarah Evans.
• Heart & Soul Festival – celebration of the Rock Shrimp festival, the Catfish festival and the Crawfish festival: March 4, 2012 from 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM located at North Shore’s Shell Cracker Clubhouse

We will keep you posted of updates and changes.

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.

By now, everyone has heard about Kingsland’s nomination to become “Love Town, USA” – and next week, it’s time for us residents to help out and make the group of visiting producers make “the right” decision and pick our town as location.

Competition

Next week the producers are going to scout the area and also interview potential candidates. It is said that about a dozen towns are in the competition right now but the exact number has not been revealed.  North Carolina has Fuquay, Clayton, Newton, Carborro and Reidsville. Other competitors include Culpeper, Va. The winner could be announced as early as January and filming starting in February.

Kingsland, GA, just received news that our area is one step closer to become the setting for the TV show, but now your help is needed to get passed all the other contestants and make it to the final round.

Join the Red Block Party

Casting producers from the show will visit Kingsland on Monday, November 28, 2011 and everyone is invited to attend the Lovetown Block Party on November 28th from 3:45PM – 6:00PM in downtown Kingsland. This is our chance to give a South-Georgia-style “Shout-Out” to the Oprah Winfrey Network. The Oprah Winfrey Network is teaming with BBC America Productions to create a show called “Love Town, USA” and Kingsland is in the running of becoming the location.

A network camera crew will be on-site to film our community block party and everyone is invited to meet with the OWN producers to tell them why you love our great community and why we should be chosen as “Love Town, USA”.

Please wear red!!Kingsland is asking residents to decorate homes, businesses, cars, EVERYTHING with red ribbons to demonstrate your support.

You can read more about the show here.

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

Kids are back in school and fall season is just about to start. The weather is still hot and humid, so in many way in Camden County it feels as if fall is still far away.

We hope you too had a long and relaxing Labor Day weekend and that you had an opportunity to visit the Kingsland Catfish festival. But now, it’s time to look ahead.

Here is what’s happening in our area for the remaining part of September.

Starry Nights with Michael Hulett

Howard Gilman Waterfront Park
Saturday, September 10, 2011
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

This is the final performance of the 2011 Starry Nights free concert series for the year. Enjoy the heartfelt soulful vocals and sax tunes of musician Michael Hulett who will be performing on stage. Michael Hulett offers a mix of classic and modern jazz, R&B, soul and rock/pop tunes. Bring a chair or a blanket, some snacks, and your friends to enjoy a relaxing evening on the river.

Don Quixote, played by Bill Raser, takes to his bed after a showdown with the Great Enchanter.

Man of La Mancha at the Theatre by the Trax

The Man of La Mancha is performed by St. Marys Little Theatre at the Theatre by the Trax (the old railroad building).

Friday, September 9 at 7 pm
Saturday, September 10 at 7 pm
Friday, September 16 at 7 pm
Saturday, September 17 at 7 pm – SOLD OUT
Sunday, September 18 at 2 pm – just a few tickets left
Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne Road, St. Marys

Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at St. Marys Welcome Center, 111 Osborne Street.

Read our previous post about the performance here.

Annual Ralph J. Bunche Classic

Edward Waters College vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg. Benefits firefighting organizations and the USO.
Read more about this football game here.

Pooch Plunge

Give your dog a special treat and a way to escape the heat and cool off. Come to St. Marys Aquatic Center for the Pooch Plunge — a day of fun for both dogs and owners. On Sunday, September 11 from 3:00-5:30 PM your dogs can come and play at the St. Marys Aquatic Center. Dogs who want to participate and play can’t be aggressive — we are sure the rule applies to owners as well. They also need to be kept on a leash, the dogs that is. Dogs are free – but owners pay $3.20, or vice versa. Why the odd admission fee? That mystery remains. Call 912-673-8118 for more information.

Wildcat Football – September 16

Wildcat Football vs. Windsor Forest at Chris Gilman Stadium, 7:30pm (Recreation Night)

St Marys Community Market

Sept 11, 18, 25

This market takes place at the waterfront in downtown St Marys on Saturdays from 9 am – 1 pm.  Find local produce, home made bread, arts and crafts items, flowers and much more.

Time to say goodbye to Summer and “hello” to Fall.  School is back in session, and the fall fashion is already on display in the clothing stores. But don’t worry, there is still plenty of hot and humid weather ahead of us, Summer is far from over.

Many of us are planning for a long and relaxing Labor Day weekend with friends and family. Maybe you’re planning a backyard barbecue or you might be looking to take a road trip.

Here are a few ideas for fun things to do in our area:

Kingsland Catfish Festival

As you know, this is one of the biggest and most crowded festivals in Camden County every year – and no wonder. This festival has it all from arts and crafts, to blooming onions, climbing walls, balloons, vintage cars and most importantly — the famous catfish dinner.

Click here to go to our special Kingsland Catfish Festival page where you can watch the video we made about the event.

St Marys Community Market

This market takes place in downtown St. Marys on the waterfront every Saturday. Read more here.

GOLDEN ISLES

If you are looking for a road trip, how about the Golden Isles area? Pack a nice picnic and load up your gang and take a trip north. One of our favorite places to visit is Jekyll Island with its vast, empty beaches. A great place to picnic is the shady St. Andrews Picnic Area at the south end of the island. But the Golden Isles area, especially St. Simons, is also known for its many restaurants. For Labor Day Weekend there are a couple of interesting events:

First Friday in downtown Brunswick

Downtown Promenade from 5 – 8. Take a stroll through our beautiful downtown district. Galleries and shops will be open and serving wine & snacks, with live music in the pocket parks.

Labor Day Invitational Arts & Craft Show – St. Simons Island, GA

This is the Annual Labor Day Weekend Invitational Arts & Crafts Show in Mallery Park (baseball fields in the village. The show takes place on September 3 & 4, 2011 from 10am to 5 pm both days. For more information call (912)262-0628.

SAVANNAH

Another of our favorite places on the coast to visit is Savannah. During Labor Day weekend the area has two great events on the schedule.

Savannah Craft Brew Fest

Want to learn more about beer and beer brewing, then the Savannah Craft and Brew Fest is the perfect event to hob nob with craft brewers and beer enthusiasts from all over the country. You can sample over 130 different kinds of beer at the grand tasting event – just make sure you have a designated driver!

Find out more about the Savannah Craft Brew Fest here.

Tybee Beach Bash

Tybee Island says goodbye to Summer with a big celebration with live music from our favorite beach party band — The Swingin’ Medallions. The day ends with fireworks. Read more about Labor Day Beach Bash — Tybee  here.

9^th Annual Ralph J. Bunche Classic to be played September 10, 2011

St. Marys, GA—On September 10, 2011, Tigers and Dragons will come head to head at Camden County High School’s Chris Gilman Stadium.

Jacksonville’s Edward Waters College (Tigers) and Virginia University of Lynchburg (Dragons) will vie for the winning title of the historic Ralph J. Bunche Classic. This year’s Classic pays tribute to firefighters and the military, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions throughout history. L. J. Williams, event chair, said that the theme of “America’s Heroes” is especially meaningful on two levels.

“On the eve of September 11, people all over our country will be thinking about that horrific day ten years ago when so many of America’s heroes lost their lives trying to save others,” Williams said. “At the same time, we’re giving thanks everyday to the brave firefighters who continue to battle the fires that have ravaged our area recently.”

Williams went on to say that by honoring military families, military vets and firefighters and their families, the Ralph J. Bunche Classic continues a legacy of giving back that began nine years ago.

Golf Tournament at Laurel Island Links

The highlight of the Ralph J. Bunche Classic is the football game slated for 3:00 pm on September 10, but numerous other events build up to the game. An appreciation lunch will be help on Friday, September 9, then a golf tournament at Laurel Island Links on the morning of the game.

Robert Cummings, Director of the Camden County Re-entry Program and one of the event organizers, said the Classic is expected to draw more than 200 firefighters and 500 military personnel and families as well as local and state law enforcement agencies.

“We invite the entire community to become involved and show their support of the great men and women of America who are the true heroes of our times,” Cummings said.

Get Your Tickets Early

The community can become involved through sponsorships and/or by purchasing tickets to Classic Events. General admission to the game is $10 in advance, $12 on game day and for children/students $5 in advance and $7 on game day. Family packages are also available, and groups of 20 are eligible for a discount.

A portion of the proceeds will go to firefighting organizations and the USO.

GAME SCHEDULE:

2:30 Parade of Flags

2:40 Heroes Honored

3:00 Kick-off

Half-time Salute to Heroes and performance by Edward Waters College Band and the renowned Purple Thunder.

Ralph J. Bunche Classic tickets can be purchased at the St. Marys Welcome Center, the Kingsland Welcome Center, Van Barber Shop in Kingsland, and on base at MWR.

Call 912-552-4494 for more information.

About Ralph J. Bunche

Ralph J. Bunche was an American political scientist anddiplomat who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his late 1940s mediation in Palestine. He was the first person of color to be so honored in the history of the Prize. He was involved in the formation and administration of the United Nations. In 1963, he received the Medal of Freedom from President John F. Kennedy. Bunche founded a trade school that later became an all-black high school in Camden County.