The fifth-annual event features an array of activities for kids and adults, including:

Friday Oct. 9, South Beach Parking Lot

-  A Thieves Market from 5-11 p.m. Lots of trinkets, loot and other pirate treasures to buy.

- Fireworks  starting at 7:30 p.m

- Local bands

-  Little Matey’s Cove activities for kids, including a magic show, balloon making and more.

Saturday, Oct. 10, South Beach Parking Lot

- Thieves Market from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

- Bunch of kids activities, including face painting a puppet show, petting zoo and more.

- More Bands

But what we’ve always found truly enjoyable is the Pirate’s Victory Parade (scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday on Bulter). If you ever wanted to vicariously experience the thrill of being a pirate welcomed home by adoring fans, than this is the parade to attend.

Just grab your sword, and watch area residents donning pirate garb (or even their cut-off shorts) drive down Butler in Pirate Boat floats that range from ramshackle to reasonably clever.

It’s campy. It’s short (lasting about a half hour). And it’s a bit of a cliche. But it’s a wonderful family activity,  and only 20 minutes by car from your downtown Savannah vacation rental.

For more information, visit Tybee Island Pirate Fest.

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

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.

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.