If  you ever want to see the breadth and depth of Savannah’s residents, go to Picnic in the Park, held in Savannah’s beautiful Forsyth Park.

This annual fall event showcases some of the most eccentric, adorable, spooky, odd and inviting picnic displays in the Southeast. But more revealing is the people behind these displays.

You’ll find folks dressed up in evening gowns, Halloween costumes, cross-dressers, and a lot more. You’ll find CEO’s, bank tellers and all ranges of employees behind  eye-catching picnic displays that took days,  if not weeks, to create.

And, you’ll see elaborate picnic spreads, including 5-course meals with caviar, fine delicacies and rare red wines.

In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find picnickers with peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and a few chips.

This year’s event was no exception. Check out the photos in the Savannah Morning News for Picnic in the Park. And next year, head to Savannah for this very Savannah-event.

(Need a kid-friendly vacation rental while you’re there, check out Gaston Street Getaway).

Savannah Kid Friendly Restaurants

Il Pasticio, The Lady & Sons, Savannah Bistro, Vic’s on the River…all are wonderful restaurants. But I wouldn’t risk taking junior there, especially if he were in the throws of terrible twos.

Savannah visitors with young children may want to try a few of these more kid-friendly restaurants. Not only will they have a high-chair handy, but if your tike sucumbs to a crying fit, no one will turn up their nose. They are also reasonably priced.

- Juarez, 420 E.  Broughton Street – It’s a wonderful, inexpensive Mexican restaurant that serves Chicken Fingers and French Fries (pollitos y papas). It’s a nice sized place, and no one seems to mind when your kid throws a little rice on the floor. If you need a distraction, there’s some colorful murals on the wall that are a great way to point out primary colors (they are also masterful pieces of artwork, painted by SCAD students)

- Clary’s, 4430 Habersham Street - A nice feature of this breakfast/lunch restaurant is a little play area for kids. Coloring books, toys, miniature table with tea and coffee pots sit in the front of the restaurant. So, you can enjoy an incredibly delightful short stack of blueberry pancakes while the kids entertain themselves. (Clary’s on Habersham is a few miles from the famous Clary’s on Abercorn Street. To get there, you need to head out of the Historic District toward the Southside of town).

- Screamin’ Mimis, 513 E Oglethorpe Ave - A bunch of NJ folks opened this great pizza place a few years ago, and they have a lot of tolerance for kids. There’s a blackboard or two where the kids can write on, and it’s so informal, just about anything goes. Screamin’ Mimis also delivers.

- Mellow Mushroom, 11 W Liberty St - This pizza chain is pretty kid-friendly too, and a staple for SCAD students.  The pizza is good, albeit quite different than the NJ/NY-influenced  Screamin Mimis.

Coming to Savannah, GA for July 4th weekend? Here are a few free and paid events in and around Savannah that you may want to consider:

Savannah

Fourth of July on the River
July 4
Phone: 912.234.0295
Admission: Free and open to the public
Location: Historic River Street

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more. Bring your radios tuned into KIX 96.5 as the fabulous fireworks will be choreographed to music simulcast on KIX. Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.

July 4th Fireworks Cruise
July 4
8:30pm to 10:30pm
Location: 9 East River Street
Visit the website or call 912.232.6404

Savannah Swings! at the Lucas Theatre
July 4 – 4
Phone: 912.525.5050
Admission: 25 – adults, $10 – children
Location: Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn Street

The Lucas Theatre continues this great annual tradition with patriotic, swingin’ music, a New Orleans-style procession and reserved seats on River Street.

First, enjoy a big-bang concert in the air-conditioned Lucas Theatre with “Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra” with singers Clay Johnson, Adam Jones, Trae Gurley and Huxsie Scott and Special Guest Kim Polote.

Then, follow the band, New Orleans-procession style from the front of the Lucas down the Abercorn ramp down to River Street. There, you will find reserved seats for fireworks viewing right on the river.

First Saturday on the River
July 4 – 4
Phone: 912.234.0295
Admission: Free and open to the public
Location: Historic River Street

Arts and crafts, entertainment and fun for the entire family on Historic River Street.

FourthFest at Battlefield Memorial Park, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum and Savannah History Museum in downtown Savannah
10 AM-6 PM Sat. July 4

Battlefield marches, musket and cannon firing demos, archaeology games, train rides, blacksmithing demos,  children’s activities and a chance to drive a hand car.
$13 adults, $4 children 6 and younger. (this includes admission to all the museums above)
912.651.6823
Email jxamis@chsgeorgia.org

Tybee Island

Event: Fireworks at The Pier
Date: July 3rd
Location:  Tybee’s pier and pavilion
More information: http://tybeevisit.com/

Event: Celebrating America at Fort Pulaski
Date: July 4 – July 5
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location:  Fort Pulaski
More information: www.nps.gov/fopu/

Richmond Hill

Event: July 4 Celebration at Ft. McAllister
Date: July 4
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Fort McAllister Road
More information: Visit website

Statesboro

Event: Independence Day T.E.A. Party
Date: July 4
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: Mill Creek Elementary (Across from Mill Creek Park)
More information: www.bullochtea.com

Rincon

Event: 4th of July Parade and Festival
Date: July 4
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Rincon
More information: www.cityofrincon.com

Hilton Head Island

Event: 24th Annual Hilton Head Firecracker 5000
Date: July 4
Time: 8am to 9am
Location:  Mall at Shelter Cove
More information: http://www.bearfootsports.com

Event: HarbourFest 2009 July 4th Celebration
Date: July 4
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Location: Shelter Cove Harbour
More information: http://www.palmettodunes.com

Bluffton

Event: Annual 4th of July parade
Date: July 4

Beaufort

Event: Beaufort’s Tea Party
Date: July 4
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Bay Street at Bladen Street, downtown Beaufort
More information: www.beaufortteaparty.webs.com

And, for a little trivia about July Fourth from FarmersAlmanac.com:

Old Glory
Did you know, that there have been 28 versions of the U.S flag to date, and that the most recent one, designed after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union, was the result of a school project

Robert Heft was 17 when he came up with the flag design in 1958. He originally got a B- on the project, but when his pattern won the national competition to become the next flag, his teacher raised his grade to an A.

Need a place to stay? Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaway offer special rates in July.

In August, 2008, we reluctantly moved to Atlanta from our lovely Gaston Street house (now known as Gaston Street Getaway).   My husband had gotten a great job in the Kennesaw area and we needed the extra income, now that we have a third child.

I was able to convince my husband to let us come back to Savannah for a vacation this month, while he toiled away in Atlanta, eating fast food and lamenting the fact that he’s a “terrible bachelor.”

So for the past two weeks, the baby, two older kids, the nanny and I have stayed at our Gaston Street vacation home,  enjoyed every minute of  downtown Savannah living. However, as a tourist, versus resident, I’m looking at things a bit differently.

For starters, I was always puzzled when I saw people traveling down the wrong way on one of Savannah’s many one-way streets. It seemed so intuitive. But now, I realize how easy it is to head in the wrong direction.

I was driving from Bay Street the other day, and I inadvertently went the wrong way down Taylor Street (which I mistakenly thought was Gordon Street). The folks on the corner laughed at me, but I was horrified. I could have caused a serious accident.

I also realized that the Kroger on Gwinnett Street is not a great place to shop late at night. While there’s security in and around the store, it’s a bit scary when it’s dark. (For some reason, I overlooked that fact when I was a resident).

On the plus side, the playground at  Matilda Beasley Park is far more cleaner than it was a year ago. No more glass, wrappers and litter dot the play area. It also seems to attract a better, family-oriented crowd (in the past, it had attracted some stragglers and seedy folks).  So, that was a very pleasant surprise, and a treat for the older kids.

Finally, I took a good look at our Gaston Street Getaway as a “temporary renter” versus resident. While it’s absolutely lovely, there were a few things that were missing. The living room television didn’t work optimally. So I replaced it.  We didn’t have a handheld dust-buster/vacuum to clean up spills, so I bought one. And, we had mistakenly locked some additional folding chairs in one of the closets. So, I pulled those out and made them accessible.

But one thing I didn’t fully appreciate: the home’s fantastic location and neighborhood. The Gaston Street Getaway is located in a truly wonderful part of the Historic District – it’s so accessible to everything and yet very quiet.  It also has some lovely neighbors, who are friendly and willing to lend a hand.  So, from both a tourist and resident’s perspective, I think it’s a wonderful place to stay.

Memorial Day 2009 in Savannah

Looking to commemorate fallen war heroes this Memorial Day? Head to Savannah’s Historic District.

The famed downtown area hosts multiple Civil and Revolutionary War landmarks that are free and open to the public.  It’s also only 20 minutes by car to Fort Pulaski, a famous marker in the Civil War.

While there are many historical landmarks, here are some of our favorites:

-  The Siege of Savannah landmark. This tribute, just off of Martin Luther King Boulevard in the Historic District, is paid to the second bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War.  The Siege occurred in 1779, when Franco-American forces attempted to retake Savannah from the British during the Revolutionary War. The siege failed, leaving Savannah in British control until 1782. The landmark  is open 24/7 with no admission fee.

Pulaski Square – This free downtown square commemorates Revolutionary War Hero Count Pulaski, who was the highest ranking foreign soldier to die during the American Revolution.  The square is located on Barnard Street between Harris and Charlton Streets, and was laid out in 1837.  One of the houses on the square used to belong to Francis Bartow, a Confederate hero.

Warren Square – This is another free downtown square. It’s named after General Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary War hero who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. It is located at the corner of St. Julian and Habersham Streets.

Fort Pulaski – This fort, named after the war hero,  is about 15 minutes away by car from the Historic District. It became famous in the Civil War, when Union soldiers penetrated the fort with a rifled canon and mortar. The fort holds Memorial Day events on May 23 and May 24th, including Civil War cannon firings and soldier demonstrations. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 15 and under.

Need a place to stay this Memorial Day?  The Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaways have discounted pricing.

While Savannah may be well known for its Revolutionary and Civil War landmarks, it does pay tribute to a fighting force that helped turn the tide of World War II.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum (located about 15 minutes by car from Savannah’s Historic District) is dedicated to honoring the greatest air armada in history, the Eighth Bomber Command, later renamed the 8th AF.

The museum is a wonderful treat, even for families with young children who haven’t studied World World II. It’s filled with planes, photos and tons of memorabilia that will educate both young and old about the Mighty Eighth’s significant accomplishments in World War II and thereafter.

The 8th AF, which was part of the US Army Air Forces at Savannah’s Hunter Field, conducted aerial bombardment missions against Nazi-occupied Europe.

At its peak, the 8th AF could dispatch more than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission, per the Mighty Eighth Museum website.

The museum is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a favorite for our family.

Ticket prices are:

As you walk the streets of Savannah’s Historic District, it’s very likely you’ll  have a few history questions.  You can check the tour guides for an answer of two. But if you want to go straight to the source, you may want to visit the Georgia Historical Society, located on the corner of Whitaker and Gaston Streets.

The Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States, and the oldest cultural institution in the state of Georgia. Its mission is to “collect, preserve and share” Georgia’s history.

The society has a beautiful library, where thousands of researchers – from all over the world – visit each year.

It’s collections include  such treasures as:

- an original draft of the U.S. Constitution, one of only a handful in existence; – a compass and snuff box belonging to Georgia founder James Oglethorpe.

- records related to the Cherokee Removal and Trail of Tears of 1836.

- the correspondence of national figures such as U.S. presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low.

It also has a manuscript collection of family papers, military records of every Georgia war, the papers of Georgia’s major political leaders,  plantation records, papers of social and cultural organizations, plus a lot more.

The library has some rules and regulations, so please observe them. It’s posted hours are:  Tuesday through Friday, 12 p.m. through 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Besides the libary, the Historical Society hosts many wonderful events that are open to the public. Here is a link to forthcoming Historical Society events.

(Post-script: We researched the 130-year-old Heritage House at the Georgia Historical Society. We were able to find records about the  builder, Alexander Marcus Barbee, and traced more than four generations of the Wessels family, who originally owned the house).

One of my favorite family events in Savannah is just around the corner. The Annual Sidewalk Arts Festival is scheduled this year for Saturday, April 25th.

This event, sponsored by Savannah College of Art and Design, is a great family activity for anyone visiting Savannah, whether you are on a budget or not.

For several hours, students let their imaginations run wild and draw chalk pictures on the sidewalks of Forsyth Park in Savannah’s Historic District.  Over the years, we’ve seen intricate renditions of dragons, sunsets, Savannah scenery, exotic fish and many more themes.

There is a competition for current SCAD students, alumni and prospective students. And, there’s also a faculty and student art exhibition, which is also a real treat.

Admission is free, and it’s open to the public. There’s also music, food kiosks and other entertainment for the kids.

But, what I like about it most is that it shows kids (particularly younger ones) that they don’t need video games or computers or even play dates for entertainment. They can sit down on the sidewalk with a couple pieces of colored chalk and draw whatever is on their mind.

That’s a great lesson to learn, even if it’s just one day a year.

For more information, visit the Sidewalk Arts Festival site.

Traveling on a budget to Savannah? Try saving money by staying in a Historic Savannah Vacation Rental.

Looking for ways to keep more money in your pocket while visiting Georgia’s first city? Then read on.

Here are three tips that can save you more than $300 for a four-day/three-night stay in Savannah’s downtown Historic District:

1) Book your vacation in June, July or August, and save 10%: Many downtown vacation rentals are offering off-season rates in summer months this year. With off-season rates, many two-bedroom vacation rentals cost around $245 a night, making them far more cost effective than a downtown hotel for a family of four (or more). Thanks to the 10% discount, a family of four will save about $70 for three nights, and even more for a longer stay.

2)Dine in. Most Historic Savannah vacation rentals come with fully equipped kitchens. So a family that eats breakfast, “desayuno” or “le petite dejeuner” in for three days will save about $80 in restaurant expenses. Eating lunch at the vacation rental can save another $80 for a four day/three night stay.

3) Don’t forget Fido.  If you bring along Fido (or Spot) for your four-day trip, you can save $80-$100 in boarding expenses at your vet. Not all Historic District vacation rentals accept dogs, so you should ask ahead of time. (Both Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaway permit dogs up to 20 pounds).

The net/net: you can save more than $300, and still see all the sites in Savannah’s Historic District (and even make a daytrip to Tybee Island).

If April showers have kept you from exploring the city’s famous Historic District,  you may want to check out the Savannah Mall.

The Abercorn Street mall has more than 100 stores, and is offering double rewards points this month for purchases made at the mall.  With 1000 points, shoppers can get a $25 gift card for use at any mall merchant.

Ordinarily, rewards participants get 1 rewards point for every dollar spent at Savannah Mall.  Through April 30, participants get 2 rewards points for every dollar spent.

Shoppers can turn in their same day receipts at the Customer Service Center and start accumulating points!   Certain restrictions do apply, so please see the Customer Service Center for more details, or check out savannahmall.com/events.

(Note: for families with children, the mall has a carousel on the second floor, which is a nice treat for children).