FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Susan Hancock or Kara Ford
Abshire Public Relations
912.844.9549 / 912.656.2126
abshirepr@att.net
Tybee Island Serves As the Perfect Place to Stay, Celebrate,
See Ships Sail During the Savannah Tall Ships Challenge® May 3-7
TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (April 20, 2012) – Tybee Island, an island paradise located just 20
minutes east of historic Savannah, serves as the perfect place to stay during the 2012 Savannah
Tall Ships Challenge® on May 3-7, 2012, to celebrate and to see the ships’ dramatic exit as they
leave River Street and sail past Tybee Island’s North Beach on May 7 on the way to their next
port of call.
Tybee Island Historical Society’s Tall Ship Salute will be held on Monday, May 7 at noon at the
Tybee Lite Shrine Club, located at 1 Meddin Ave. Salute the tall ships as they sail past Tybee,
enjoy lunch catered by The Crab Shack and savor the best view of the ships from the top of the
Tybee Lite Shrine Club. Tickets are $25 and will benefit the fund to repaint the Tybee
Lighthouse. Tickets are available by calling 912-786-5801.
This casual Southern beach town’s miles of sandy beaches, exceptional seafood and nautical
history make it the ideal location for Tall Ships Challenge visitors to spend a long weekend. In
addition to endless ocean breezes and a laid-back island vibe, Tybee Island also offers an array
of outdoor activities for active travelers, from kayaking to kiteboarding.
Discover quaint beach cottages, historic lighthouses and palm trees on this family-friendly
barrier island haven. Watch pelicans soaring overhead and dolphins swimming just off shore.
Savor wild Georgia shrimp, brought in fresh from local shrimp boats along Lazaretto Creek, and
sip a frosty beverage as the sun sets over the marsh.
“May is the perfect time to visit Tybee Island, with great deals for travelers interested in
enjoying beach time, outdoor activities and family fun in addition to participating in the
Savannah Tall Ships Challenge,” said Lindsay Fruchtl, marketing director for the Tybee Island
Tourism Council. “Visitors can ride bikes beneath a canopy of live oaks, stroll along our
beaches, kayak to Little Tybee Island for the day or tour Georgia’s most historic lighthouse.
Whether you’re planning a romantic escape or a family vacation, Tybee offers the ultimate
Southern beach getaway.”
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Tall Ships Challenge
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The Tall Ships Challenge® is an annual event organized by the Tall Ships America
alternating in a three year cycle between the Great Lakes, the Pacific and the
Atlantic coasts of North America. The event draws hundreds of thousands of people to witness
majestic Tall Ships and provides a unique opportunity for the participants to interact with the
crews of different vessels in friendly rivalry as they race from port to port.
This year, the Tybee Island Tourism Council is proudly co-sponsoring the HMS Bounty, one of
the most popular tall ships to be featured at this year’s event. The ship has appeared in major
films including Mutiny on the Bounty, Treasure Island, Yellowbeard and Pirates of the
Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest.
For more information about Tybee Island, visit www.tybeevisit.com online or check out
Tybee Island, Georgia on Facebook.
ABOUT TYBEE ISLAND:
Tybee Island, Georgia, an island paradise located just 20 minutes east of historic downtown
Savannah, is an ideal year-round coastal destination for couples, families, meetings and more.
Steeped in tradition and history, Tybee Island is home to several notable forts, informative
museums, a historic lighthouse complex and miles of pristine beaches. Rich in relaxed style,
Tybee Island also features a blend of eclectic art galleries, charming shops and exceptional
restaurants. For more information about Tybee Island, please visit www.TybeeVisit.com online
or call 912.786.5444.
Tybee Island's Most Recent Accolades:
 “Best Beaches for Families” – Parents Magazine
 Top 10 Vacation Rental Hotspots for 2010 - TripAdvisor
 Top 10 City Beaches in America - AOL
 #1 Healthiest Beach in America - Health Magazine
 “Readers' Choice Best Beach” - Georgia Magazine
 “Best One Tank Trip” - Atlanta Journal Constitution
 “Best Beach Retreat” - Creative Loafing Atlanta
 Bicycle Friendly Community – League of American Bicyclists
 Best Day Trip and Most Fun Place to Take the Kids – Savannah Magazine
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