It’s “GO” time, according to Tim Proffitt, chairman of the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival.
The 18th installment of the ever-increasingly popular event kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. in J.F. Gregory Park with the opening of the midway. See below for all the information you need, including entertainment, vendors, parking and ticket prices.
“The trucks are starting to roll in and it looks like we’ll be blessed with beautiful weather,” Proffitt said.
The forecast this weekend calls for high temperatures in the low 80s with low humidity. Lows will be in the high 50s.
The big draw, as always, will be Saturday evening’s entertainment, with headliner 38 Special taking the stage around 10 p.m. Also performing Saturday will be Jerrod Niemann with special guest Adam Wakefield.
Saturday evening, which will be hosted by Big Al Mack of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, gets underway with opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks are expected to start around 11 p.m.
Proffitt said there will be two stages this year, including one by the pavilion for special events and the main stage for Friday and Saturday night’s entertainment.
Gone is the amphitheater, replaced by a 10,400-square-foot cement pad where the main stage will be located.
“This year will be the biggest stage, the biggest lighting and the biggest fireworks we’ve ever had,” Proffitt said. “People are really going to enjoy it.”
Proffitt said the new set up actually will provide festival-goers an additional three acres on which to move around and watch the performances from.
The GOSF is the result of an all-volunteer committee of more than 250 people who work countless hours.
“We couldn’t do it without the volunteers,” Proffitt said. “As soon as we shut the gates on the event we start working on the next one.”
Entertainment
Friday
7 p.m. Esteban’s Hat
8 p.m. Guns4Hire
9 p.m. Justin Dukes
Saturday
10: 30 a.m. Richmond Hill Middle School Band
11:30 a.m. Off Broadway
Noon Line Dance Fever
12:30 p.m. Kelly and Company Irish Dance Academy
1:30 p.m. Off Broadway
3 p.m. Life Moves Dance Studio
5:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
6:45 p.m. Adam Wakefield
8:10 p.m. Jerrod Niemann
9:40 p.m. 38 Special
11 p.m. Fireworks
Sunday
1 p.m. Men of Praise
2 p.m. FBC Richmond Hill Worship Band
3 p.m. At Sundown
Admission
Friday and Sunday: Adults (16 and older) $5 (no re-admission); Saturday: $10 (re-admission allowed). Children (6-15) $5 each day; 5 and under free. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. There also will be ATMs on site.
Vendors
Ben & Jerry’s
Bubba’s Bistro
Paradise Lemonade
Boy Scouts
Repicci’s/The Naked Dog
Carnahan Concessions
RHHS Chorus Boosters
Savannah Square Pops
It’s a Southern Thing
Seadaddy’s Catering
K&C Catering
Local on 17
Love’s Seafood
Shell House Restaurant
The Ice Cream Stop
Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Richmond Hill YMCA
Dickey’s BBQ
Smokin Pig
Fraternal Order of the Eagles
Beer is $5 for a 16-ounce cup. Must have a valid government-issued ID. No beer sales on Sunday.
Midway
Please be mindful of the times for wristbands on Saturday. The best value if you plan to be in the park all day is the $20 wristband which is valid for all day (10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) for *unlimited rides (excluding the Nemesis 360 which will require an additional two tickets to ride.)
Must be purchased before 3 p.m. One wrist band per customer and must be purchased in person.
Friday: 5:00-11:00 p.m. $20
Saturday: Early bird special $20 – purchase wristband between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and it’s valid for unlimited rides the entire day (10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) Must be present to purchase band.
After 3 p.m. wristband – $25.
Sunday: All day (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) $20 wristband.
Tickets for individual rides may be purchased; prices vary by ride and are $1.25 per ticket or 22 tickets for $25. In general rides will require 3-4 tickets per ride without purchase of a wristband.
*The Nemesis 360 will require two tickets, plus a wristband to ride or six tickets.
Parking
There is no on-site park parking; however, look for the “event parking” signs for designated festival parking lots. Complimentary shuttle buses will pick-up in each of the designated festival parking lots and shuttles begin 30 minutes prior to the opening of each day and will run throughout festival hours.
Please do not park in non-festival designated lots during festival hours. We don’t want your vehicle to be towed!
Some businesses/organizations do charge for parking and those prices vary – these are not monitored or sanctioned by the GOSF.
The Festival encompasses the entire Park and the only way to get around inside the park is by walking. Due to insurance liability, the Festival Committee may not provide transportation to festival goers via golf carts.
Handicap Parking: If you have a government issued handicapped sticker/tag, police officers will direct you to handicap parking area. Handicap parking is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis and fills-up quickly so plan accordingly.
Where to Park:
Richmond Hill Pre-K Campus 120 Constitution Way
Richmond Hill Primary School 471 Frances Meeks Way
Richmond Hill Elementary School 473 Frances Meeks Way
Goodwill/Goody’s 9701 Ford Avenue
Richmond Hill First Baptist Church 9184 Ford Avenue
What not to bring: Pets (certified service animals allowed), skateboards/scooters/bikes, yard games, coolers, alcohol. No video recording allowed.