This year was my first time attending CoastFest in Brunswick, and I went in expecting a typical local event. What I experienced was something much more intentional, especially for families!
Hosted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, CoastFest is designed to bring awareness to Georgia’s coastal environment, but it does it in a way that actually holds people’s attention. It’s interactive, it’s accessible, and most importantly, it’s built with kids in mind.
There were hands-on exhibits, wildlife education stations, and booths run by conservation groups and local organizations who clearly care about what they’re sharing. Instead of just handing out information, they were engaging directly with kids - answering questions, demonstrating concepts, and giving them something tangible to connect with. You could see the difference in how the kids responded. They weren’t being talked at; they were part of it. The boys all took turns shooting bows just before a musket demonstration, followed by an encounter with a pet chameleon, rock climbing, and, finally, a touch tank!
Watching kids move from activity to activity, completely engaged, asking questions without hesitation, and genuinely curious about what they were learning. It wasn’t forced, and it wasn’t structured in a way that felt like school. It was just a really well-done environment that made learning feel natural.
From a photography standpoint, those are the kinds of moments that matter most to me. Nothing staged, nothing overthought - just real reactions and real interactions. The kind of images that actually reflect what something felt like, not just what it looked like.
There was also a strong sense of community behind the event. You had a wide range of vendors and organizations present, all contributing in their own way, from environmental education to local outreach. It didn’t feel scattered or disorganized. It felt like everyone there understood the purpose and showed up for it.
What makes CoastFest worth attending isn’t just the activities, although there’s plenty to do. It’s the way everything is put together. It’s free, it’s open to the public, and it creates an opportunity for families to spend time together while learning something that actually matters, especially in a coastal area like ours.
If you didn’t make it this year, it’s worth putting on your radar for next year. It’s one of those events that gives kids something to walk away with, even if they don’t realize it in the moment. And as a parent, that’s the kind of experience you want to keep saying yes to.
We can’t wait to go back!
