Shrimp Festival Ferry

Amelia River Cruises announces CORRECTED schedule for its upcoming ferry service from St. Marys GA to Fernandina Beach, FL for the 49th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. Amelia River Cruises will offer all-day ferry service on Saturday, May 5th, and Sunday, May 6th, departing the downtown dock in St. Marys.

Park for free in St. Marys, GA and enjoy a scenic ferry ride that arrives in t...he heart of all the action at the downtown Fernandina Harbor Marina. Tickets are $10 per person for adults 13 and over one way, $5 each way for children ($10 roundtrip), payable in cash ONLY onboard. (No credit cards allowed).

The first ferry boat departs St. Marys, GA at 9 a.m. The last ferry boat departs St. Marys, GA at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th. The last ferry departs St. Marys, GA on Sunday, May 6th, at 3 p.m. Boats will run every hour on the hour. Please note that the last departing ferry from St. Marys will be a roundtrip boat ride only as passengers will have to turn around and return on the last boat returning from Fernandina Beach, FL.

Full Schedule is below:
First Departure:

St. Marys, GA (Sat & Sun) 9 a.m.
Fernandina Beach, FL (Sat & Sun) 9 a.m.

Last Departure:
St. Marys, GA (Sat 5/5) 4 p.m. St. Marys, GA (Sun 5/6) 3 p.m.
Fernandina Beach, FL (Sat 5/5) 5 p.m. Fernandina Beach (Sun 5/6) 4 p.m.

No reservations are required. Ferry service is first-come, first serve. For more information, please contact our office at 904-261-9972. To view all of our tours, visit www.ameliarivercruises.com

 

Peace Garden

The Binational Tourism Alliance created the BINATIONAL Peace Garden Trail as a tourism initiative to stimulate cross border tourism from Canada by highlighting War of 1812 locations and to celebrate 200 years of peace and prosperity between Canada and the U.S. 

 

Since being confirmed as one of many Peace Gardens being launched in 2012, we have already received FREE MARKETING through releases sent to thousands of travel writers, numerous international newsletters, and St. Marys is even highlighted in a printed brochure.  They had so much interest at a recent Festival that they had to print out information from the stmaryswelcome website as handouts!!! 

 

The front page of that brochure has the War of 1812 logo and reads:

“Building a binational legacy: a permanent trail linking Canadian & U.S. HERITAGE, Architectural, and Garden Sites and Events.

 

According the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division -Canada is the #1 origin market and is #1 for visitor spending for international travelers to Georgia.  In 2010, the Canadian Consulate reported over 421,000 Canadians visited Georgia and spent an estimated $99 million while here.  It’s forecast that Canada is to account for 31% of the projected international tourism growth through 2016.  

 

I point these things out to bring awareness of this initiative to gain more visits from international travelers.  We do see many Canadians and French Canadians, and have even started printing out our St. Marys history in French for those visitors.  We would like to encourage anything that can bring us more.

 

The City Council, the CVB and the DDA have all endorsed the project.  The Boy Scouts from Troop 318 have claimed the site as a community service project and the DMA has paid for the purchase of a second flagpole to add the Canadian flag alongside the U.S. Flag.  Each of these groups is interested in helping tourism grow and this is an avenue that helps get the word out on St. Marys Georgia.

 

The dedication will be held on July 4th at 1pm and all are welcome to attend.  

 

Sincerely,

Angela Wigger, CMP -Director of Tourism

St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau

912.882.4000

Angela.wigger@stmaryswelcome.com

 

111 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA  31558

www.stmaryswelcome.com

 

Travel Channel Clip

Here is a clip of the Travel Channel – “Park Secrets” program. 

 

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/carnegies-cumberland-island

 

CUMBERLAND ISLAND TO BE FEATURED ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL'S NEW "PARK SECRETS" PROGRAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  

April 12, 2012

 

CONTACT:

Angela Wigger, St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau

912.882.4000, angela.wigger@stmaryswelcome.com

 

 

CUMBERLAND ISLAND TO BE FEATURED ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL’S NEW “PARK SECRETS” PROGRAM

 

ST. MARYS, GA – The premise of the new show, “Park Secrets” is to explore and discover secrets and those less known places, spaces, and attractions on the way to national, state, and city parks across America.  Each show in the series will have a different theme and the final results for the film crews December visit to Cumberland Island will be featured on the “Private Islands” episode that will premiere on Wednesday, April 18 at 8:30pm Eastern time. 

 

The “Private Islands” episode will make the following exciting journey that you will not want to miss:

 

Most people think a private island escape is reserved only for the rich and famous, but with the right tricks, and knowledge, you can turn an island based-park into your own private getaway. We’ll start out at Bahia Honda State Park – a 524-acre uninhabited island smack-dab in the middle of the Florida Keys with pristine white beaches and a front row view for both sunrise and sunset just by turning around. After playing in the surf, we’ll chow down on some spicy southwestern hogfish at Mrs. Mac’s – a local institution since 1976. Then we’ll stay the night at the uber-luxe Little Palm Island resort – an exclusive private island get away only accessible by yacht. Get a massage, go snorkeling, and best of all, dig into Little Palm’s famously luscious key lime pie.

 

A quick jaunt from the Keys lands us in Puerto Rico, where little-known Vieques Island offers visitors 21-miles of virgin beaches and jungle. Once a US Navy bombing range, today Vieques is an unspoiled Eden where visitors can kick back and relax, or do a little exploring. We’ll go for a trek deep into the jungle and track down the secret ruins of a 19th century sugar plantation. Then we’ll head to local eatery El Quenepo and sample some deep-fried mofongo – a Puerto Rican delicacy – topped with a skillet full of fresh shrimp and lobster. Bellies full, we’ll spend the night at the nearby Hix Island House – a hidden tropical oasis resort that’s completely off the grid.

 

Back on the mainland, we’ll head north to the Georgia border and eat like a local at Angie’s Subs in Jacksonville Beach for a tall glass of super-sweet tea and a sandwich piled high with salami, sausage and bacon. Then it’s on to Cumberland Island, GA, where we’ll walk in the footsteps of the famous Carnegie family that once owned the island and made it their private retreat. After a night at the grand old Greyfield Inn – the only accommodations on this remote isle in the wilderness – we’ll explore the eerie ruins of the Carnegie’s Dungeness mansion, which burned down in the 1950s. And with any luck, we’ll run across the herd of wild horses that has free roam of island. Just don’t get too close – they bite!

 

For information on visiting Cumberland Island contact the St. Marys Welcome Center at 912.882.4000 or visit www.nps.gov/cuis.

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Theatre Camp in St. Marys

MEDIA CONTACT: LISA ALLEN  912-673-9161, EMAIL: ladanceworks@tds.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE….

MUSICAL THEATRE CAMP OFFERS CAMDEN YOUTHS ENRICHING SUMMER EXPERIENCE

ST. MARY, GA—With the summer holiday just around the corner, now is the time to plan how your children will spend their summer vacation. But where do you go to find activities that children will enjoy and parents can appreciate for their value? St. Marys Little Theatre  suggests a two-week musical theatre camp beginning June 18, offered up by a consortium of Camden County’s most respected performance organizations—Lisa Allen Danceworks, Dina Barone’s Vocal Studio, and The Friese Studio of Music.

 

The special “Love Disney” camp will incorporate music, dance, and drama with favorite Disney characters played by camp attendees. According to Lisa Allen, owner of Lisa Allen Danceworks,  kids from 5-16 are encouraged to sign up, and every attendee will be a part of the grand showcase at the end of the two-week camp.

 

“The ‘Love Disney’ experience will enhance self expression and help build self confidence while the children learn to sing, dance and act,” Allen said. “Even seasoned performers will find the camp refreshing and an opportunity to polish their skills and build their resume.”

 

Allen went on to say that all levels of experience are welcome, even kids who have never performed in front of an audience before.

 

Barbara Ryan, Director of St. Marys Little Theatre (SMLT), said that the 2012 Musical Theatre Camp is the first official program of SMLT’s planned outreach to encourage the youth of Camden County to get involved in performing arts.

 

“Research shows that young people who participate in community theatre have the opportunity to develop skills such as improved communication, critical thinking, and social skills—all key components of any self-development program,” Ryan said. “This year’s camp will empower children to express themselves physically, emotionally, and intellectually. And the most important thing is that the kids will be having fun, which is what summertime is all about.”

 

Parents are asked to register their children for the camp by May 25 either in person at Lisa Allen Danceworks, 10880 Colerain Road in St. Marys, or online at www.ladanceworks.net.

 

Casting calls for key roles and secondary and ensemble parts will be held April 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at The Friese Studio of Music, 70 Hawthorne Lane in St. Marys, and also on April 28 from 2 pm to 5 pm at Theatre by the Trax, 1100 Osborne Road in St. Marys. Those who cannot attend either casting session are asked to call 912-673-9161.

 

A portion of the proceeds from the Musical Theatre Camp will benefit LADW Scholarship Fund and St. Marys Little Theatre, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. For more information, call 912-673-9161.

 

MUSICAL THEATRE CAMP FACT SHEET

 

Camp runs June 18-22 and June 25-29, 2012 from 9 am to 1 pm.

Ages: 5 to 16

Tuition: $200 per person

Non refundable registration fee: $25

“Love Disney Show” to be performed June 29 at 6 pm.

Register by May 25 at Lisa Allen Danceworks or online at www.ladanceworks.net.

Casting Calls April 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at The Friese Studio of Music and April 28 from 2 pm to 5 pm at Theatre by the Trax.

All levels of experience are welcome, including beginners.

Call 912-673-9161 for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday & Saturday, April 13-14, 2012: Open Charter

Last weekends "Open Charter" was such a great success we are extending it to this Friday and Saturday. Dream Cruises will have  "Open Sunset Cruises" on Friday April 13th and Saturday April 14th.  First come, first serve. $60.00 per person, six person max. Come make some new friends. Enjoy a beautiful sunset, see dolphins, Fort Clinch and wild horses on Cumberland Island. Dream will leave from the pavilion dock located across the street from the Riverview Hotel at 3:30 PM and will return to Saint Marys as the sun sets, around 8:PM, just in time to have dinner at one of Saint Marys fabulous downtown restaurants. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided. Call Captain Roger at 912 409 1121 or visit our website; www.dreamcruisesllc.com . Make your reservation now, don't miss a spectacular sunset.

 

Come Sail Away

 

Captain Roger

912 409 1121

"HEART AND SOUL" BUS TOUR SET TO VISIT CAMDEN COUNTY

Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Cities Foundation will again explore the “Heart & Soul” of eight Georgia cities along the coast of Georgia on a three day bus tour in April.  St. Marys will be featured on Thursday, April 20, 2012 to state agency heads, business leaders, downtown developers and philanthropists who are looking at ways cities are revitalizing and capitalizing on their downtowns.

 

The group will start the tour with a greeting from staff at the Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau and Welcome Center followed by an entertaining drive to the revitalized Theatre by the Trax for a vignette performance of the original production, “River of Life.”  

 

The group will join local dignitaries, business owners, and military leaders for a boat tour that will highlight potential development opportunities at the former paper mill site and the St. Marys Intracoastal Gateway property. Once disembarking at the Howard Gilman Memorial Park, Councilman Jim Gant will share how the waterfront park project came to fruition and the group will end their downtown tour with light refreshments and remarks at the St. Marys Welcome Center.

 

The Georgia Cities Foundation has held a bus tour every year since 2001 as part of an overall effort to educate and inform state leaders on the importance of successful downtown development and its role in supporting overall economic development efforts for regions and communities.  “The Foundation’s goal is to help cities through successful public-private partnerships,” said Georgia Cities Foundation President Mike Starr, “and we will show eight very good examples of cities that have been successful in creating wonderful downtowns and vibrant communities through such partnerships.”

 

According to St. Marys Economic Development Director Artie Jones, III “Our goal is to showcase St. Marys and the many attributes that we have to offer,” said Economic Development Director Artie Jones, III with the City of St. Marys.

 

“The Foundation has a proven track record of downtown development,” said Starr. “Since 2002, GCF has provided loans totaling more than $13.1 million for 75 projects in 41 cities across the state, generating more than $70 million in new private investment.” In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation honored the Georgia Cities Foundation with its Main Street Ally award.

 

Other cities included on the 2012 tour are Dublin, Sylvania, Statesboro, Hinesville, Jesup, Savannah and Metter.

 

Approximately 50 people will participate in the tour, with some joining the tour at particular stops along the way. If you’re interested in participating please call the St. Marys DDA at 912-882-8111.

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SPRING FESTIVAL BRINGS PRAISE & CELEBRATION TO ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

ST. MARYS, GA (April 2, 2012) – The third annual Spring Festival, Willie Mae Glover Praise in the Park Celebration will be held Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10am – 5pm at the St. Marys Waterfront Park.  The event promotes unity in the community and people of all faiths are encouraged to be a part of this special celebration.

 

This uplifting event will be kicked off with a brief greeting at the parks amphitheater and the family fun will continue throughout the park the rest of the day. A variety of entertainment will be provided, such as recording artist Daly Braxton,  IGNITE, and  Mechum Clarke & True Purpose. You will also enjoy the sounds and movements of choirs, soloists, praise teams, and even dance teams. There will be bounce houses and other activities to keep the kids happy all day.

 

Vendors offering arts, crafts, and food items are always a favorite part of any festival and will be located in front of the St. Marys Waterfront Park during the event. We encourage you to come early and plan to spend the day. For more information contact Kenyatta Compton at nichellecompton@yahoo.com or 678-621-9019.

 

The Praise Festival takes place the third Saturday in April each year by proclamation of the St. Marys City Council. This year’s event is hosted by Chayil Outreach and the St. Marys DDA and is sponsored in part by the St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau.