In January and February, visitors and residents alike scour the parks, paths, and other public areas on Jekyll Island in hopes of securing a gorgeous glass reward. The annual Island Treasures event is a special hide-and-seek adventure inspired by the practice in the early 1900s of East Coast fisherman using hollow glass floats as markers for their nets. Floats that broke loose and washed ashore were found and kept by lucky beachcombers, and over the years these rare finds became highly sought-after collector’s items.
Jekyll Island continues that tradition by commissioning artists from across the country to create one-of-a-kind glass floats for their annual Island Treasures event held in January and February. Each day, volunteers called Beach Buddies hide clear plastic globes around the common areas on the island for lucky guests to find and redeem using the information inside to receive one of the real glass floats. In general, two to four globes can be hidden per day, however there could be more on the island at any given time, based on the number of Island Treasures that have been found. Approximately 200 plastic globes will be hidden over the two-month duration of the hunt.
While exploring Jekyll Island, it’s important to remember that you will not find Island Treasures in beach dunes, marsh areas, residential properties, golf courses and driving range, or off established paths. Entering these areas could be illegal and unsafe. Instead, hunt carefully in beach parks and along established paths, and in common areas, including Beach Village and the Historic District.
When you do find a plastic globe, take it to the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center at 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday or 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday to exchange for your Island Treasure. (If you want the reward without the hunt, they also have additional glass floats and smaller glass balls for purchase.) The goal is to allow as many guests as possible to enjoy the hunt, so only one Island Treasure reward may be claimed per household, per year. Assemble your family or a bunch of friends and go hunting for those elusive plastic globes to exchange for the dazzling handcrafted glass floats.
The reward is really all about being at the right place at the right time. Even if you have a strategy, finding a globe mostly comes down to luck and timing, and many people come to test their luck year after year, hoping THIS is the one! Whether or not your hunt results in a glass float reward, you’ll discover that the real treasure is Jekyll Island and all it has to offer. For more details and tips, or to purchase a glass float online, visit jekyllisland.com/signature-events/island-treasures.
Off the beaten path:
When you’re on Jekyll Island, of course you’ll want to visit the Historic District, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Tidelands Nature Center, and other common attractions, but there are some additional spots to explore. If you’re a wildlife lover, Horton Pond is known as a popular viewing area where you may see alligators, turtles, and several species of birds and ducks. The birdwatching is also spectacular at the pond in the wooded area behind the abandoned amphitheater (parking and entrance is located next to the Jekyll Island Greenhouse). Wood storks, herons, roseate spoonbills, egrets and others find perches around the perimeter, providing nature photographers with ample opportunity to snap stunning shots.
If you’d rather enjoy a treasure hunt that’s more likely to result in success, even if it involves spending some cash, Crafts in the Village returns to Postell Park on St. Simons Island in February. This popular market of approximately 70 artists and crafters celebrates art and handmade items of all kinds. There’s no admission fee to browse offerings from a wide variety of vendors that include coastal paintings, photography, home and garden décor, jewelry, pottery, indoor and outdoor furniture, specialty food, skincare, candles, soaps, glass art, bird houses, woodwork, wearables, pet products, and more. Vendors vary from month to month and are open for sales on event weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays (and Fridays, if applicable) and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sundays. Mermaid visits and live music may take place too, so keep an eye on the Crafts in the Village Facebook page for previews. February’s event will be a three-day holiday event from February 14-16. Bring your Valentine over to pick out a special gift! For more information, schedule, and vendor applications, visit craftsinthevillage.com.
There may be even more treasures to be found when Georgia’s largest yard sale comes to Mary Ross Park in Historic Downtown Brunswick on March 14-15. Peaches to the Beaches is an annual Georgia spring tradition, with a 200+ mile route that runs along Georgia Hwy 341, featuring official vendors selling everything from antiques, locally crafted items, food and the traditional yard sale fare. It includes the following counties: Glynn (Brunswick); Wayne (Jesup & Odum); Appling (Baxley); Jeff Davis (Hazlehurst); Telfair (Lumber City & McRae-Helena); Dodge (Chauncy & Eastman); Pulaski (Hawkinsville); Houston (Perry); Peach (Ft. Valley); Crawford (Roberta); Lamar (Barnesville). General hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day and the event is rain or shine. Official yard sale sites range from multi-organizational group sites to official individual sites. They’ll be marked with Official Site banners and Official Vendor yard signs for you to be able to identify the locations to stop and shop if you’re traveling the route beyond our local site at Mary Ross Park. For more information, visit discoverbrunswick.com.
