Click the logo above to view a pdf of the Georgia Days Poster of Events.

Georgia Days Signature Sponsor:

Georgia Days Signature Media Sponsor:

Georgia Days Kickoff Event

Pardon My Southern Accent: The Life and Legacy of Johnny Mercer in Word, Song, and Art

Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 6:00 P.M.

Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church

429 Abercorn Street, Savannah

In this family-friendly event, professional entertainer Jim Wann explores the life and contributions of Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer by providing biographical information interspersed with musical selections from Mercer’s extensive body of work, as well as personal reminiscences of Johnny collected from local Savannahians.  A post-event reception will include a rare viewing of several of Mercer’s original watercolors, as well as a display of Mercer’s childhood art. 

Special thanks to Arts on the Coast and Midway Gallery for their assistance in mounting the Mercer watercolor exhibit. 

Additional support provided by:

Savannah Book Festival

Friday and Saturday , February 6-7, 2009 

Various locations around Telfair Square, Savannah

GHS is proud to be a sponsor of the Savannah Book Festival in bringing this exciting series of events to our community. A featured appearance by author Charles Bracelen Flood has received an endorsement from the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Mr. Flood will premiere his new book, 1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History at the Festival on Saturday, February 7, 2009. For more information visit www.georgiahistory.com, call the Savannah Book Festival office at 912-358-0575, or visit www.savannahbookfestival.org.

Georgia Days Colonial Faire and Muster

Saturday (Family Day) and Sunday, February 7-8, 2009, 10 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah

Friends and families of all ages enjoy this popular annual living-history program featuring hundreds of costumed interpreters performing colonial-era military drill, dance, and music at the site of one of Georgia’s oldest and most beautiful coastal plantations.  Demonstrations of musket and cannon firing, crafts, and other aspects of daily life in the eighteenth century are given throughout this weekend-long event.  Schedule of events is available upon arrival at this event. 

Additional support provided by:

The Society of Colonial Wars in Georgia

Super Museum Sunday

Sunday, February 8, 2009,  12:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Multiple Savannah-area sites (visit www.georgiahistory.com after January 1, 2009 for museum list, or contact individual sites of interest)

Georgians and visitors alike experience coastal Georgia’s rich history and cultural life as historic sites, house museums, art museums, and other points of interest in Savannah and coastal Georgia open their doors to the public at no charge during this annual GHS’s Georgia Days family event.  From Statesboro to Darien, more than 40 sites participate in this event, providing visitors a rare opportunity to experience the history in our own backyard.

Additional support provided by:

Black History Month Essay and Public Speaking Contest

Monday, February 9, 2009, 5:30 P.M.

Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker Street, Savannah

Open to area middle and high school students, the 2009 contest will focus on Savannah in the Civil Rights Movement. Students and teachers should visit www.georgiahistory.com and follow the Georgia Days link for more information on the contest. Finalists from the essay portion will compete in a public speaking event to be held at the Georgia Historical Society and judged by an independent panel representing the academic and media communities.  Prizes to be awarded.  Reception to follow.  In partnership with The Telfair Museum of Art.

Additional support provided by:

AT&T      WSAV-TV

Georgia Days Dignitaries' Coffee

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 9:00 A.M.

TBA, Savannah

An invitation-only event for dignitaries, sponsors and special guests prior to the Georgia Day Parade.  Featuring greetings from dignitaries, introductions of costumed characters, and a continental breakfast, this event also includes the unveiling of new plaques honoring the creators of named endowment funds at the Georgia Historical Society.

Additional support provided by:

Georgia Day Parade

Thursday, February 12, 2009, 10:30 A.M.

Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall, Savannah

Thousands of costumed local elementary school children march behind student-made banners in commemoration of Georgia’s founding in 1733.  This colorful parade of students, local dignitaries, costumed characters, musicians, and a military color guard begins at Forsyth Park and ends with a program in front of City Hall, where the mayor and other officials bring greetings and awards are presented for the annual Banner Competition.

Additional support provided by:

Queensborough National Bank & Trust

Oglethorpe Arrives at Darien

Friday, February 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m.

Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort King George Drive, Darien

Darien was founded by Scottish Highlanders, who arrived at the site of Fort King George on January 19, 1736. James Oglethorpe visited the site a month later. School children will witness a re-enactment of this historic landing and will hear Oglethorpe’s speech to the new Highland settlement. This event is organized by Fort King George and the Lower Altamaha Historical Society. For more information please call 912.437.4770.  Free and open to the public.

Birthday Bash & Annual Awards Gala, “Magic in the Moonlight”

Saturday, February 14, 2009, 7:00 P.M.

Hyatt Regency, Savannah

After 1/30/09 NO REFUNDS will be made for ticket purchases.  Thank you for your understanding. 

The most prestigious event of the annual two-week celebration of Georgia’s history, the 2009 Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala will be a banquet held on the banks of the Savannah River. The evening will feature the music of Johnny Mercer and include greetings from Governor Sonny Perdue and an insightful keynote address featuring Washington’s most-capitivating couple—James Carville and Mary Matalin .  Carville and Matalin will combine their unique experience as perennial political insiders to provide attendees with a stimulating, candid, and provocative keynote entitled “All’s Fair in Love, War, and Politics.” In addition, GHS will recognize and honor Georgians who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of our state and nation.  A raffle will be held for items from Tiffany’s Jewelers.

Raffle sponsored by:

Wachovia Insurance Services

Fort Frederica Living History Festival

Saturday, February 21, 2009, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Fort Frederica National Monument, 6515 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island
This annual event commemorates the founding of Frederica in 1736.  Activities throughout the day will immerse visitors in the history of Frederica and the struggle for empire between Great Britain and Spain in the 18th Century.  Programs include tabby making, hands-on musket drills, colonial children’s games, journal making, and archeology programs.  This event is organized by Fort Frederica National Monument.  For more information, please contact the Fort Frederica Visitor’s Center at 912.638.3639.  Free and open to the public.

Scottish Highland Dinner

Saturday, February 21, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort King George Drive, Darien

This annual event features a Scottish dinner, hosted by Oglethorpe himself, at the Fort King George barracks. This event is organized by Fort King George and the Lower Altamaha Historical Society. For more information, please call 912.437.4770.  Reservations required; a fee will be charged for dinner.