By Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division

As the fall’s first cooler breezes sweep across Glynn County, they bring with them more than just the eventual promise of relief from the summer heat. They mark the return of one of the Golden Isles’ most beloved traditions: CoastFest. 

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, CRD will once again welcome thousands to the annual event, transforming Mary Ross Waterfront Park in historic downtown Brunswick into a vibrant celebration of our region’s natural beauty and rich maritime heritage.

For nearly three decades, CoastFest has been more than just an event—it’s become a cornerstone of our coastal community. What started as a small gathering of dedicated CRD staff and curious locals has grown into a full-scale festival that attracts visitors from across the region and beyond. 

It’s a day where the bonds between people and place are strengthened, and where the youngest among us can learn the value of stewardship and the joys of discovery.

“CoastFest has always been about education through entertainment,” says Doug Haymans, CRD director who has been involved with the event for more than two decades. “We want people to have a great time, but we also want them to walk away with a greater understanding of the coastal environment and what they can do to help protect it.”

This year’s CoastFest promises to be the most engaging yet, with new exhibits, interactive experiences, and a few surprises that are sure to delight attendees of all ages. Among the most anticipated new features is the Colonial Corner, which will showcase DNR’s State Parks and Historic Sites re-enactors. Visitors will have the opportunity to step back in history and learn about Georgia’s rich heritage from period actors.

Another new addition are live programs on the main stage from DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (CEWC) and State Parks and Historic Sites. CEWC will lead ecology programs with live animals, while Parks will show off their black powder cannons and muskets for the crowd to see (and hear!). Returning this year to the stage is also the ever-popular Center for Wildlife Education from Georgia Southern University, with their menagerie of raptors, snakes, and critters.

For those with a taste for fishing, the Kids Catfish Rodeo will return, offering youngsters the chance to lasso live catfish with WRD Fisheries staff from the Richmond Hill Hatchery. And if you love fish, be sure to visit “Hawg Trough” giant aquarium, funded through a generous donation by the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation.

A crowd favorite is also returning: The Scouts America Climbing Wall. Young people can scale the 40-foot wall while trained safety staff belay the ropes. And if heights aren’t for you, be sure to stop by the WRD Archery Corner and try your aim.

Something out of the ordinary will also be featured this year. To celebrate the Georgia coast’s rich tradition of shrimping, and to raise awareness of the industry, representatives from each division of DNR will compete in Wild Georgia Shrimp Eating Contest. Five staff members from across DNR will have two minutes to peel and eat as many shrimp as they can, with the winner claiming bragging rights and a giant shrimp hat to mark the occasion.

As always, CoastFest will be packed with activities designed to engage the whole family. The Exhibitor’s Row is set to be a hive of activity, featuring crafts, games, and interactive exhibits that teach children about the importance of protecting our natural resources. 

This year, more than 40 exhibitors have signed up, from federal government agencies like the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.

The CRD “Uplands to the Ocean” Pavilion will also be a hub of activity, with interactive exhibits highlighting how CRD conserves the coast through science. Crowd pleasers include the 360 virtual reality dive to an artificial reef, the wave tank, and resiliency demonstrations. 

And of course, no CoastFest would be complete without the Touch Tanks, a perennial favorite where kids (and adults) can get up close and personal with stingrays, starfish, and other marine creatures.

While learning and exploration are at the heart of CoastFest, there’s plenty of fun to be had as well. A variety of food vendors will be on hand, offering everything from classic festival fare like funnel cakes and corn dogs to fresh seafood that showcases the best of the coast.

At its core, CoastFest is a celebration of community—a chance for locals and visitors alike to come together in appreciation of the unique environment that makes our region so special. It’s a day when the DNR’s mission to conserve Georgia’s natural resources comes to life in the most engaging way possible.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to live in a place with such a rich natural heritage,” says Jennifer Kline, a coastal hazards specialist with the CRD. “CoastFest is a way to bring people together to celebrate that heritage, and to inspire the next generation to care for it.”

So, as October approaches and the marsh grasses turn golden in the late summer sun, make plans to join the thousands of others who will gather at Brunswick’s Mary Ross Waterfront Park for CoastFest 2024. It’s more than just a day of fun in the sun—it’s an opportunity to connect with the coast, and to become part of the effort to conserve it for future generations.