In 1963, thousands of Church members traveled to Jekyll Island, Georgia, for the first Feast of Tabernacles to be observed on this historic and tranquil island. They were greeted with perhaps the largest tent anyone had seen, pitched by the ocean’s shore. In that tent, God’s Church assembled daily during the Feast of Tabernacles to worship and praise Him. Anyone who kept the Feast in Jekyll Island during those years has fond memories that will never fade.

Now, 54 years later, the Feast of Tabernacles is still being observed on this island. The large tent is gone, replaced by the new and beautiful Jekyll Island Convention Center. Coupled with the continuing serene, millennial setting of the island, now rich with the history of Feast of Tabernacles observance here, this site holds a unique appeal for Feastgoers, ideal for worship and fellowship.

Daily services, Bible studies, youth Bible lessons and other events will be held at the Jekyll Convention Center. Other activities planned to complement the Feast experience will include a senior’s luncheon, family day at Great Dunes Park and Beach Pavilion, a teen activity, and other recreational opportunities that will take advantage of the island’s natural features.

The island offers numerous and varied opportunities for group, family and individual activities. Miles of unspoiled white sand beaches, miles of bike and walking trails, horseback riding, dolphin tours, golf, miniature golf, fishing (requires a license), and just relaxing on the beach are popular activities readily available on the island. The Tidelands Nature Center offers guided kayak and canoe rentals, as well as nature walks and indoor and outdoor exhibits to help you explore island and sea life. For those interested in history, the charm of the Jekyll Historic District, located along the Intracoastal Waterway, can be toured by tram or foot.

A wide variety of festival housing is available on the island in rented homes, hotels and condominiums. There is also a recently built shopping center adjacent to the convention center, which includes a variety of unique shops and restaurants.

For those who enjoy camping, the Jekyll Island Campground offers 18 wooded acres on the island’s north end, with over 200 sites from tent sites to full hook-up, pull-through RV sites with electricity, cable TV, water, and sewage.

Average daytime temperatures in October are in the 70s with nighttime lows in the 60s Fahrenheit, with the possibility of showers. Major airports for arrival and departure are Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, which are both approximately an hour away, and Brunswick, Georgia, which is within 20 miles of the site. A rental car is advised. There is a small toll per vehicle each day one enters the island. Weekly vehicle passes are also available.

Taxes: Local tax is 5%; state tax is 7%, plus $5 a night state of Georgia hotel tax.