October Events in Savannah During Your Bed and Breakfast Vacation

Fall is the perfect time to visit the south!  While the nights AND days are getting cooler in the north, the southern weather becomes very pleasant and inviting.  Here in Savannah, the start of fall coincides with plenty of events for our bed and breakfast guests to enjoy!

Coming up very soon is Oktoberfest on October 5-7, 2012 on the River with brats, beverages, music, dancing, and vendors selling their amazing artistic wares.  Not to mention the ever-popular wiener dog races!  Duck inside one or more of the 100+ shops, restaurants, and pubs along River Street as well!  Enjoy First Friday Fireworks after dark on the 5th!

That very same weekend, Savannah's Annual Picnic in the Park occurs on Sunday, October 7, 2012 from 2pm-9:30pm.  Since the early 1980s, this annual family event has been held in Forsyth Park in the heart of the Historic District.  Featuring live music and entertainment, and family activities, the event is free to the public.  This year's sponsor is Parker's:  a Savannah-based company that runs 27 convenience stores in the area.  The theme is "Some Enchanted Evening," and guests are encouraged to bring the theme to life if they wish!

The Savannah Greek Festival happens almost one week later on October 11-13, 2012.  Now in its 61st year, this even presents Greek tradition, foods, music, dancing, and items for sale in the St. Paul's Hellenic Center at 14 West Anderson Street.  Some of the delicious food choices available include Gyros, Greek Salad, Greek Lamb, Dolmades (rice and beef flavored with herbs and wrapped in grape leaves), Pastitsio (a baked macaroni dish), and Spanakopita (filo dough with spinach and feta cheese).  Greek desserts are also available including Baklava, Loukoumades (honey puffs), Chocolate Walnut Triangles, and more!  Thousands of guests visit to experience the festivities, and you are cordially invited!  There is no admission during daytime hours, however a $2 donation is requested after 4pm.

On Saturday, October 20, St. Vincent's Academy hosts the Tour of Homes & Tea:  a self-guided tour through their own 1845 Convent building, continuing through nine beautiful private homes in the Historic district.  Tea will be served on the Convent grounds, including confections and tea sandwiches.  This is a great way to learn about the architectural changes in our beautiful city through time!  Tickets are available at the Tour of Homes website.  Event prices range from $45 for the entire event, and on down to $10 for a single house tour.

Of course, don't forget about the Tybee Island Pirate Festival happening from October 4-7, 2012, and the Jewish Food Festival on October 28, 2012 in Forsyth Park!

And since this is October, area haunted houses and attractions will be in full swing on weekend nights through Halloween!  Just ask the innkeeper at your favorite bed and breakfast inn for information and directions to the attraction that best suits your taste!

Join Us for the SCAD 2012 Savannah Film Festival

What would life be without the movies?  What was once a celluloid experience has evolved into a high-tech, surround-sound escape.  Whether watching from the comfort of your home, heading to the theater, enjoying a larger-than-life IMAX journey, movies have become and integral source of entertainment for everyone.  The world over has celebrated the movies by organizing film festivals.  Cannes, Sundance, Venice, and Tribeca are some of the most-recognized film festivals out there.  But did you know that Savannah is home to one of the most welcoming film festivals?  Our relaxed atmosphere provides a friendly destination for actors, directors, producers, and viewers.  The Romantic Inns of Savannah welcome you as our guests during the 2012 Savannah Film Festival from October 27 through November 3.

The event has grown regularly in the past 15 years since its inception, drawing bigger names and crowds.  Celebreties found that they enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere and relatively small amount of paparazzi.  Because of this, the Festival has played host to stars such as Liam Neeson, Danny Glover, Ian McKellen, Michael Douglas, and Jane Fonda, who could be found mingling amongst the attendees at different Festival functions.

Hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the Festival presents new films from both new and established filmmakers, both independent and commercial.  There are also workshops, panels, lectures, and special screenings offered.  Some of the films you see here will go on to national viewings and may even become blockbusters.  Most movie screenings require paid admission, but other event activities are free and open to the public.

A popular attraction is the Mystery Film at the end of the Festival.  Sometimes this film has some tie to Savannah, whether it was filmed here, the story is based here, or an actor in the film is from the area... but not always.  Attendees and participants alike look forward to this fun surprise at the end of the week.

Activities take place at one of two venues:
Savannah's Trustees Theater cinema house which was once known as the Weis Theater and had one of the largest movie screens in the south at the time, and was the first to be built with adjustable air conditioning.  A stage in front could also host theatrical performances, making this a perfect location for sessions, panels and lectures during the Film Festival.  This gorgeous and historical theater is still one of our city's gems.

The Lucas Theater also features both a movie screen and stage, making it another ideal location for most Festival events.  After closing in 1976, the theater played host to failed businesses.  Slated for demolition more than once, this former Vaudeville theater was saved by a massive fundraising campaign for purchase and restoration purposes.  The general public weren't the only ones who cared, as celebrities also chipped in to help.  Even the cast and crew of the movie "Forrest Gump" - filmed right here in Savannah - contributed to the cause.  The Lucas Theater re-opened in the year 2000.

While the full Festival schedule has not yet been posted, it will be available mid-morning on October 1, 2012.  Tickets to individual events will also be available through the Festival website.  However, if you want the full Event experience, passes are currently available for purchase.

Thanks to the popularity of the Film Festival, and the great weather which invites more and more people to attend each year, over 50,000 people are expected to descend on our town for the event.  This means that area accommodations will fill up quickly!  Why not try Savannah's charming inns instead of area hotels for true southern hospitality during this very busy week?  All of our inns are within a mile of the main Festival venues, and we will be happy to host your stay!

Great-tasting October Event: Savannah Jewish Food Festival in Forsyth Park

Bring your empty stomach to one of the most popular and unique food festivals is coming to Forsyth Park on Sunday, October 28, 2012:  the Shalom Y'all Jewish Food Festival!  Our Savannah inns offer first-class accommodations and amenities during this annual event.

Now in its 24th year, this tasty event offers food, music, dance, and kids shows from 11am to 4pm.  Getting into the park is free - but you'll want to buy plenty of $1 food tickets to taste your way through the many booths serving such treats as: sandwiches, noodles, potato latkes, blintzes, strudel, challah, sodas, a variety of other kosher foods... and of course homemade sweets!

You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy all the great food and fun!  Over 10,000 attendees are expected, meaning that lines for tickets can be long.  But fear not - closer to the time of the festival, advance tickets will be available at discounted prices.  You can pick up your pre-purchased tickets before the event, and avoid waiting in those pesky lines!

The Festival is hosted by Congregation Mickve Israel, a Reform synagogue that is the third oldest in America at 279 years.  The church itslef is the only neo-Gothic style synagogue in America, and tours are available to see this amazing building and in-house museum.

Another reason to stay at a Romantic Inns of Savannah bed and breakfast:  three of our inns are adjacent to the park, meaning you can pretty much walk out the front door and be there within seconds.  Even if you are here for another reason, the scents of the festival will draw you right over!  The remainder of our current member establishments are well within a mile of Forsyth Park, allowing you to work off some of the great food during the short walk to the event!  So skip the hotels and choose your favorite historic inn during your Savannah food festival vacation!