Thursday, April 16, 2026
Good morning!
Earth Day is April 22, and you can help the planet at several different events around Coastal Georgia this week. Check out a library documentary on the freedom to read, share ways to make your neighborhood more livable, take part in coastal art, and celebrate Georgia shrimp boats that bring seafood to the table.
Got an event coming up in the near future? Cast Net trawls Coastal Georgia for happenings and tidbits, then serves that bounty to your inbox each Thursday. Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org .
CHATHAM COUNTY
New Savannah architecture: Historic Savannah Foundation will host a special panel discussion titled “Designing the Next Layer of History: New Architecture in Savannah’s Historic Districts” as part of the 2026 HSF Lecture Series, “The People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah.” The panel discussion will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center, 323 E. Broughton St. in Savannah. Come early for the 5:30 p.m. wine reception.
Crush Reloaded 2K26: Celebrate three days of Black culture with HBCU students from across the U.S. starting at 1 p.m. Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19. Check in at day party, Progressive Recreational Center, 5321 Ogeechee Road, Savannah. See full schedule and buy tickets here: $15 single admission to $153.18 all-access pass. No ticket, no entry. Multiple parking restrictions, street closures in downtown Savannah.
Your right to read: Kick off National Library Week at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, with a free screening of The Librarians at Southwest Chatham Library, 14097 Abercorn St., Savannah. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. The film explores recent book banning efforts and the First Amendment. A conversation between LOPL Executive Director Lola DeWitt and Nate Coulter of the Central Arkansas Library System will follow the film.
Kamala Harris with Mashama Bailey: The former vice president and Savannah’s James Beard Award-winning chef discuss Harris’ book “107 Days,” home life and politics on stage. 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, at Johnny Mercer Theater. Tickets from $54 at ticketmaster.com.
Protect native plants: Tear the roots off the suckers at Savannah Tree Foundation’s Invasive Removal Day, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at West Lake Neighborhood Park, Westlake Ave., Savannah. Learn to identify privet, ivy, and other creeping threats to native plant species. Bring work gloves, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and a water bottle. Extra gloves and tools provided. Registration is free.
Scenic paddle: Register now for the Savannah Tree Foundation’s Tree Paddle to Tybee, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 25, starting at 9 Alley St., Alley #3 on Tybee Island. Get a new view of coastal forests and learn about native trees, maritime ecosystems, and wildlife while paddling through Little Tybee Island’s salt marshes and creeks. All gear provided, all experience levels welcome. Safety briefing and basic instruction before launch. $95 per person.
Register for summer camp: City of Savannah summer camps, including general and specialty camps, are open for registration. General camps will run from May 26 to July 17. Ten community centers across Savannah will host their own themes for each two-week session, Locations and dates vary for all camps. Online registration will be open until a week before each session begins. Financial aid is available. Savannah residents get priority. Non-residents will be waitlisted until the week before camp.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Community Baby Shower: New parents, here’s your chance to get free baby supplies and information Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ’s Church Camden, 250 Lake Pointe Dr., Kingsland. Nursing mother support, car seat tips, nutrition, CPR education, and parent support. Open to expecting parents and caregivers of children up to age 1. Sponsored by Camden County Health Department, Family Connection Camden, Georgia WIC and Southeast Georgia Health System OB/GYN and Pediatrics. Free.
Calling All Foodies: Register now for Taste of Camden, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Sunday, April 19, at Orange Hall, 311 Osborne St., St. Marys. Seafood, BBQ, and specialties from some of the best area local chefs and restaurants. Tastings and live music. Admission $20 and up. Sponsored by Camden County Chamber of Commerce.
BRYAN COUNTY
Used Book Sale: Scoop up used books 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, Thursday, April 16, at Richmond Hill Library, 9607 Ford Ave., Richmond Hill. Sales held first Saturdays and third Thursdays. All proceeds benefit the library. 912-756-3580.
Richmond Hill Spring Fling: Bring the whole family for a day of fun and fundraising, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 17 at J.F. Gregory Park, 521 Cedar St., Richmond Hill. Inflatables, food trucks, live music, classic car show sponsored by Savannah Mustang Club, dunk tank, bumper cars, the 3rd Annual Rubber Duck Race, Kiss the Pig and more! Event benefits Richmond Hill Fire Department Operation Presents Under the Tree.
GLYNN COUNTY
Recycling Center Tour: Glynn Environmental Coalition will lead a field trip from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, April 23, to tour the Republic Services Jacksonville Recycling Center. Carpool meetup 8:45 a.m., 777 Gloucester St. at the parking lot off Union Street for 9:05 a.m. departure. Learn what can and can’t be recycled, common recycling mistakes, and ways to lessen impacts. Free to members; RSVP required.
10th Annual Golden Isles CultureFest 2026: The Robert S. Abbot Race Unity Institute presents CultureFest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Downtown Brunswick. Bring the family for live music, food trucks, vendors, and learning experiences honoring Abbot, a St. Simons Island native and Chicago Defender publisher. Free admission.
Selden Headmasters house tour: The Selden Park Advisory Committee will offer free open house tours of the Selden Park Headmasters House the third Saturday of each month through October, starting 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, The public is encouraged to come and learn about the historic school that served as a place of higher education for Black students during Reconstruction. Tours by appointment are available by calling the Selden Park office at 912-279-2800.
Brunswick Police hire a clinician: The City of Brunswick Police Department now has a part-time clinician. Brunswick resident Janel Holland, LCSW, ACS, CCTP II, will work with field officers, providing professional mental health expertise on select calls. She also will train police personnel on mental health issues, do on-scene assessment, help with de-escalation, provide crisis intervention, and connect families and individuals with appropriate community mental health resources and followups.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Spring Carnival: It’s time for Fort Stewart’s Spring Carnival, starting 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 through 8 p.m. Sunday, April 19 at Donovan Field, Fort Stewart. Don’t have a Department of War ID card? Civilians can apply for a base pass online. Carnival games, rides for both kiddies and thrill-seekers, food trucks, and a huge Ferris wheel. Free admission; individual ride tickets $1.25; all-day wristbands $30-$35. See event page for more times and prices.
Love the Planet: Keep Liberty Beautiful hosts the 20th Annual Earth Day celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 18 at Bryant Commons Park, 438 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville. Free admission. Families and individuals can learn practical ways to care for our planet through exhibits, games, crafts, music, and interactive displays. Free fruit trees and Infinity Garden Consulting spring workshop for $10 in advance. The first 50 people to volunteer for cleanup will get a free cleanup kit.
Healthy Kids: Celebrate Healthy Kids Day®, a free, annual event aimed at promoting health and wellness among children and families, 10 a.m. to 1.p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Liberty County Armed Services YMCA, 201 Mary Lou Drive., Hinesville. Free swim tests, hydration station, information about YMCA Summer Camp and YBASE, family sports field zone, kids and family fitness demos, concessions, wellness resources and more. Open to the public.
Quiz the Candidates: The NAACP Liberty County Branch hosts its Candidate Forum from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m Saturday, April 18, at the Riceboro Youth Activity Center, 5649 S. Coastal Hwy., Riceboro. Moderated by Lemuel Johns, this event allows audience members to submit question cards for candidates running for U.S. House District 1, Georgia House District 168, Board of Commissioners, School Board, and School Board Chair to answer. For details, contact secretarylibertynaacp@gmail.com.
Senior Expo and Resource Fair: Seniors, come explore resources especially for you from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the Liberty County Community Center, 9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Midway. Healthcare, wellness, exercise demos, raffles, and more. Sign up in advance for free memory screenings at 912-604-1864. Sponsored by the City of Midway and Insightful Solutions, LLC as part of Georgia Cities Week.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Blessing of the Fleet: Darien’s annual three-day celebration honoring the shrimp fleet kicks off 4 p.m. Friday, April 17 and runs through 8 p.m. Sunday, April 19. Stroll through the art show, food and beverage areas, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, and classic car show, or step it up with the YMCA 5K, street parade, and nightly live entertainment. Boat Parade 2 p.m. Sunday. Free off-site parking and shuttles. $5 Friday, $10 Saturday, free Sunday. Check the full schedule and maps.
Plan your dinner: Shrimp Creole dinner to benefit local community outreach. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 18, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Parish House, 106 Rittenhouse St, Darien. $20 tickets on sale at St. Andrew’s church office, 912-437-4562. Dine in and takeout available. Sponsored by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Women.
Birding with Experts: Want to try out spotting scopes and ask birding questions? Join Master Birders Susan Inman and Stephanie Chewning of One Hundred Miles from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, 5000 Wildlife Drive NW, Townsend. Meet at Woody Pond to observe the massive wood stork rookery, also home to many other bird and animal species, then explore on your own. Sponsored by Partners for a Sustainable McIntosh and Darien-McIntosh Chamber of Commerce.
Earth Day Sip and Walk: The Guale Indians, who called these coastal marshes home, used a variety of plants to prepare helpful herbal “teas.” Join a walking tour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sunday, April 19, at Fort King George Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd., Darien, to learn about the Guale people and the environmental impact of Colonial-era humans. Enjoy a cup of spruce and yaupon, two of the most commonly imbibed teas over 300 years ago. Admission $4.75-$8.25. Bring your own mug.
On Bartram’s Trail: Follow in the footsteps of renowned 18th century naturalist William Bartram on this ranger-led hike along the Altamaha, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Fort King George Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd., Darien. Participants will get a nature journal to record your birding and other observations. Admission $4.75-$8.25.
Old School Sawmill Tools: Learn about the 200-year history of lumbering and its impacts along the Altamaha River, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Fort King George Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Road, Darien. A ranger will discuss tools and techniques from the heyday of Georgia sawmilling. Admission $4.75-$8.25.
Build a Terrarium: Want to create your own ecosystem? Preregister at 912-437-4770 for this popular class for ages 8 and up, happening from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, at Fort King George Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd., Darien. Instructors will help you build your own starter terrarium as you learn about environments, ecosystems, photosynthesis, and the science behind this fun hobby! Fee $15.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Earth Day Festival: Learn about green issues specifically in Effingham County and surrounding areas at the Guyton & Effingham Earth Day Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. April 25, on the north end of the Downtown Walking Trail, West Central Boulevard, Guyton. Free, fun nature festival with hands-on activities, immersive booths, live music, demonstrations, prizes, vendors, exhibitors, green egg hunt, garden exchange, and a giant insect parade.
25-year plan in the works: Join the City of Rincon from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, April 16, at Macomber Park, 1004 Lexington Ave.. for the kickoff meeting for the 25-year master plan. This plan will guide growth, development, parks, recreation, housing, transportation and infrastructure.
District 2 Town Hall Meeting: District 2 residents are invited to attend a town hall hosted by Commissioner Roger Burdette from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.this evening, Thursday, April 16, at South Effingham Elementary School, 767 Kolic Helmey Road, Guyton. Hear district updates, discuss community priorities, and share your questions and concerns. Burdette will answer as many questions submitted in advance as time allows. Submit your questions athttps://shorturl.at/imXL8
ALONG THE COAST
Art of Ossabaw Free Family Art Day: The Jepson Center is holding a free family day for art lovers of all ages, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at 207 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., families can see artist demonstrations and make their own art. See Georgia’s coast from a new perspective in Off the Coast of Paradise: Artists of Ossabaw Island, 1961-Now. Residents of Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Bulloch, Beaufort, and Jasper Counties get in free.
Protect yourself: All branches of the Coastal Health District are offering free testing for sexually transmitted infections this month. One in five people in the U.S. are infected yet often don’t realize it until long-term serious damage develops. Protect yourself and the ones you love—get checked. See the schedule by county for an STI testing event near you.
Flu shots available: Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties now offer updated 2025-2026 flu vaccine. Supplies limited in some locations. Call your local health department to confirm availability and schedule an appointment. A yearly flu vaccine is the best way to prevent serious flu-related illness for everyone age 6 months and older. Insurance usually covers costs. Low-cost options available if you’re uninsured.
COVID shots available: Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties’ health departments are offering the Pfizer brand of COVID vaccine without a prescription, says the Coastal Health District.
Cast Net features nuggets from Coastal Georgia that we hope you’ll find interesting, fun or useful. All that said, we’ll need to hear from you to make sure we’re on the right track.
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