This year the Independence Day Celebration in St Marys is going to be held on July 3, 2010, instead of Sunday.

4th of July Parade
This is the 42nd Independence Day Celebration, with “It’s a Family Affair” being the theme for 2010. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m.

To registration for the parade, click here.

4th of July Race
As usual, there is a 1,5K – 5K – 10K race on the Fourth of July morning. Pre-registration is suggested. To apply, click here.

4th of July Festival & Fireworks
More than 100 vendors participate as well as incredible musical entertainment and local fun including a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest and a Watermelon Eating Contest for all ages. Children’s rides and activities are offered throughout the festival.

The highlight of the festival is of course the fantastic fireworks display at the waterfront.

For the best seats in the house to watch the stunning fireworks display over the St. Marys River the St. Marys Kiwanis are once again inviting the public to come aboard the Cumberland Queen or Cumberland Princess. According to St. Marys Kiwanis president Allen Rassi, “these will definitely be the best ringside seats for viewing the spectacular fireworks display.” Rassi says that this year’s fireworks production will match most elaborate fireworks display in the history of the festival with 25 minutes of continuous fireworks.
River cruise tickets are available for $20 at the St. Marys Welcome Center and the Tribune & Georgian office in Downtown St. Marys, and at the Kingsland Welcome Center.  The cruise departs the dock at 7 p.m. and returns following the fireworks display. For more information, call 912-467-2119 or visit www.smkiwanis.com.

Call 912-467-2119 for more information.

The Isle of Eight Shrimp festival kick off on Thursday April 29th with a Pirate Parade at 6 p.m. in downtown Fernandina. Come watch this fun parade showcasing everything from pirate ships to a gigantic shrimp. The theme for this year’s parade is “Name that tune”, and I can’t wait to see what’s going to be performed. We will be at the parade to film this year, so if you happen to see me, make sure to come up and say hello.

On Friday it’s time for the official opening ceremony of the festival and the Invasion of the Pirates takes place on Friday night, April 30th.

Then the big festival continues over the weekend with lots of fun for the whole family, including a variety of contests from Best Decorated Boat, Best Decorated Pirate to the Miss Shrimp Festival pageant. I’d have to admit that the only contest where I stand a chance would be the ice cream eating contest, which should we say is the “icing” on this year’s festival.

For the complete program, visit the website at www.shrimpfestival.com

Cumberland Sound Ferry will run a special ferry all day, every hour on the hour service from St. Marys, Georgia, to the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina on Amelia Island on May 1 – 2, 2010. This is an excellent way to visit the popular shrimp festival without having to deal with traffic and parking.

May 1st, and Sunday, May 2nd, three boats running all day to ferry passengers out of St. Marys, GA to the heart of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in the historic district of Fernandina Beach, FL.

Service will run as follows:

Saturday, May 1: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. out of St. Marys, GA.
Final return from Fernandina Beach will be 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday, May 2: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. out of St. Marys, GA.
Final return from Fernandina Beach will be 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Ferry service is $20 roundtrip. No reservations are required and cash payment is preferred.
Call for additional information at 904-261-9972 or visit www.ameliarivercruises.com.

On Saturday, January 10th 2009 at 10:00 AM in Downtown Kingsland, the wildcat parade of pride will be held. Everyone is invited to enter in the Wildcat Parade of Pride, participation is free and we are looking for who has the most WILDCAT SPIRIT!? There will be spirit contests and fun for all! Don’t forget to wear your wildcat blue!

The Wildcat parade of pride is a community celebration in honor of the Camden County Wildcats 2008 State Championship win. The parade activities will be on Saturday, January 10th, 2009. The parade line up will start at 9:00am on HWY 17 and the parade activities will begin promptly at 10:00am. We are planning spirit contests for the parade entries that have the most Wildcat pride. Please plan to join us for a fun & festive victory tribute honoring the community’s Camden County Wildcat spirit and pride!!

For more information, including participation forms, go online to www.VisitKingsland.com/calendar or please call 912-729-5999.

The annual event starts at dusk at the old paper mill site. The parade proceeds down the holiday decorated Osborne Street with Santa & Mrs. Santa leading the way. Once Santa arrives at the waterfront the City Christmas Tree is lit. Music and performances at the waterfront.

This is a great way for your and your family to get into the holiday spirit.