School starts around the middle of August and brings with it the return of students, faculty, and classes. August in Savannah is still quite warm and it is possible to swim at the beach on Tybee Island (until early October).
One enjoyable fall activity is the annual AASU day, a celebration on campus (usually a Friday) of our students, faculty, and staff. Almost every department on campus (and most clubs) set up a booth with food, activities, and prizes.
October through December are pleasant months for any outdoor activity. The leaves begin to turn in October but the peak for our area is usually late October or early November. Oftentimes, many trees still have some leaves in November. There are many evergreens (the Live Oak, palm trees, the Savannah Holly tree) in the Savannah area providing wonderful color throughout the winter months.
Runners will find the October YMCA race to be one of the city's most enjoyable races. We start downtown at City Market and run through the historic city squares to Forsythe park and back.
The mens and womens basketball team start their season in November each year. They provide enjoyable indoor entertainment throughout the cooler months of the year. Mens Basketball Womens Basketball
In December and January we begin to see the addition of flowering colors to our winter scenery. The Camellias will usually begin blooming in December or January. Here on campus we have some that are white, pink, and red. They can be found in the middle of the quad, near the water fountain.
The winter months often find runners in preparation for the February races at Tybee Island (usually the 1st weekend in February). The Savannah Striders Track club sponsors a 5K, 1/2 Marathon, and full marathon on this weekend. Link to Tybee Marathon/Half Marathon and 5K
During late February we often see the Azalea's begin to bloom. This will usually last through March. I've learned that it all depends on how much sunlight they are getting as to when they will bloom. Sometime in February the "tulip trees" (i.e., Japanese Magnolia) and the Redbud trees also bloom.
These are followed by the Dogwood trees just a few weeks later. Having grown up in Michigan I am always amazed at the plant life here in Savannah. It truly seems that from January through July a different plant is blooming with color every week or two.
March is big in Savannah; the annual St. Patrick s day parade brings in an estimated 200,000-300,000 visitors to our city. The University takes its annual spring semester break during St. Patricks week. The entire month leading up to the parade is filled with activities. The Irish Festival is usually held in late February and is a very family oriented celebration with bands, food, a dance, children's story telling, and other activities. Savannah Visitors Bureau
The nations sports eyes turn their attention to our part of the country too at this time. The PGA Tour winds its way up from South Florida to visit Jacksonville, FL (about 2 hours south of Savannah) for the PGA Tour's Players Championship, then on to Atlanta (4 hrs away) to the Honda Classic, then the famed Masters Golf Tournament in August, GA (2.5 hours away), and then to Hilton Head Island, SC (45 minutes away) for the "Heritage of Golf Tournament." The very next week the Mens Senior Golf Tour (The Champions Tour) comes to Savannah to conduct its "Legends Golf Tournament." This will be the third year that they have come to Savannah the week after the PGA Tour visits Hilton Head.
The University celebrates its annual Armstrong Fest in March or April each year. This is a week long series of events with lectures, a 5K run, concerts, and other events that celebrate Armstrong Atlantic State University. This year, 2005, we are celebrating Armstrong's 80th birthday. Armstrong Fest
In the spring of 2005, our Mens Golf team will host the Peach Belt Conference golf tournament at Southbridge Golf Club. Peach Belt Golf Tournament We will also host the NCAA Divison II Mens Golf Tournament at Savannah Harbor, the same course that the Seniors on the Champions Tour will play in April. NCAA Divison II Golf Championship
The spring and summer months are filled with outdoor activities. The university sponsors successful athletic teams in Mens Tennis, and Womens Tennis, as well as Baseball, and Softball . Outdoors it seems that every week or two a different plant is blooming - I just can't remember all of their names.
The spring semester ends in May and we transition into summer activities. Aside from summer school many of us go to see games played by our local minor league baseball team - the Savannah SandGnats - a Class A team in the South Atlantic League affiliated with the Washington Nationals. Savannah SandGnats Link
Well thats the year and quick peek at some of the many things to see and do. I've left out so much more though, boating, fishing, museums, River Street, historical sights like Fort Pulaski, Fort McAllister, theaters, and special events in the civic center like ice skating through all of December, Disney on Ice, etc.
Stephen Jodis
Assistant Dean, School of Computing
Professor, Computer Science
Armstrong Atlantic State University