Coast Fest 2024 **CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE IMPACTS**

**CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE IMPACTS**

Join the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for CoastFest 2024 on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in historic downtown Brunswick! 

CoastFest is an exciting and FREE annual event hosted by DNR, dedicated to celebrating and educating the public about the rich coastal heritage and natural resources of our region. The festival brings together a wide range of activities, exhibits, and live entertainment, offering a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

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CoastFest snake

Interactive Exhibits:

Explore a wide variety of exhibits from local, state, and federal environmental agencies and other nongovernmental organizations. Learn about marine life, coastal ecosystems, and conservation efforts through hands-on displays and engaging presentations.

Entertainment:

See live birds of prey from the Georgia Southern Center for Wildlife Education, along with other birds, reptiles, and animals from the Wildlife Resources Division's Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. And we promise you won't miss the cannon firings and black powder demonstrations from Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Division! Other entertaining activities include:

- Rock Climbing Wall 

- Archery

- Catfish Rodeo 

Wild Georgia Shrimp Eating Contest:

Show your support for the Wild Georgia Shrimp industry and cheer on representatives from DNR divisions as they see who can eat the most shrimp in two minutes! (begins at 2 p.m.)

Educational Activities:

Participate in educational games and demonstrations designed to teach visitors about coastal conservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable practices. Activities are suitable for all ages, with special programs tailored for children. 

Visit the Marshes of Glynn Library of Brunswick across the street from Mary Ross Waterfront Park to view artwork by students from across the coast. A panel of judges will select the grand prize winner, which will be featured on next year's CoastFest T-shirt. Other students receive a variety of other first, second, and third prizes.

Savor delicious local cuisine from a variety of food trucks and stands. A complete list of food vendors will be available at DNRCoastFest.org closer to the event.

Come learn all about the mission of DNR's Coastal Resources Division as you walk through our self-guided "Uplands to the Ocean" exhibit. You'll see how we balance conservation with public use, learn about our fisheries surveys, and can even take a virtual dive to one of our reefs using virtual reality goggles. Don't forget to stop at our Touch Tanks, where you can interact with live marine life found on the Georgia coast like starfish, stingrays, and fish.