Wave of themed weekends hits Sea Island

Sea Island Creativity Conference

Feb. 13-14. The Cloister, 100 Sea Island Drive, Sea Island. Reservations: 1-855-572-4975. Information and schedule of speakers: www.seaisland.com (click on "What's Happening").

You half-expect a freak tidal wave to hit Sea Island later this month and sweep away one particularly unfortunate sunbather:

Lady Edith Crawley.

The long-suffering Lady Edith — actually, actress Laura Carmichael — will be on the Georgia coast Jan. 29-31 for the lush resort’s second annual “Downton Abbey”-inspired weekend. Also scheduled to take part in the events at the famed Cloister hotel: the actors who play Molesley (Kevin Doyle) and Miss Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) on the insanely popular, circa-1924 British manor house drama, now airing its fifth season on PBS, along with “Downton” insider Jessica Fellowes.

"She sources the events for us," Sea Island marketing and sales vice president Parra Vaughan said about Fellowes, the niece of series creator Julian Fellowes and herself the author of several well-received "Downton" companion books. "We work with her and say, 'Who'll have a strong storyline?' Last year, she brought Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson. Allen went back and told the other cast members how fabulous it was, and this year we got three."

They're likely not the only newcomers on Sea Island, a famously clubby residential and getaway spot for more well-to-do types that recently has begun hosting special themed weekends for members and anyone staying at the Cloister or the resort's other properties. Last weekend, it was the "Classic TV" weekend. Two weeks after the "Downton Abbey" crew clears out, in comes the "Sea Island Creativity Conference."

Whew! It sure sounds like she could use a weekend at the beach.

But, um, why Sea Island? After all, the five-star Cloister is located some 4,200 miles from London. And, with rooms starting at $395 a night, it’s pretty much the last place in the world you’d expect to see the swells dressed up like Trekkies — Downies? — for Saturday night’s costume party and elegant dinner.

Don’t be so sure, Vaughan said.

“We had a gentleman dress as Mrs. Patmore last year,” she chuckled. “He carried a stuffed Isis under his arm.”

Even casual “Downton” fans know that “Mrs. P.” is the sharp-tongued, ruddy-faced cook and that Isis is the earl’s beloved dog.

But who knew Sea Island was becoming the go-to place for letting your freak flag (gently) fly?

On the “Classic TV” weekend schedule was a come-dressed-as-your-favorite-TV-character party and a Trivia Night hosted by Bob Eubanks of “The Newlywed Game” fame. Plus the chance to rub elbows with Ed Asner, Jerry “The Beaver” Mathers and — insert your own “three-hour cruise to Sea Island” joke here — Dawn Wells, aka Mary Ann on “Gilligan’s Island.”

The Feb. 13-14 Creativity Conference features an eclectic lineup of "extraordinary thinkers and innovators" like New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, former poet laureate Rita Dove, the brains behind the Roomba — even "the world's foremost pickpocket," Vaughan promised.

Some of his techniques could come in handy. You must be a Sea Island member or property guest to take part in any of these weekends. Additionally, some of the “Downton” events are complimentary, while others, most notably Saturday’s $125-per-person dinner, cost extra. But there’s some good news for us downstairs types: The Inn at Sea Island recently opened, with rooms starting around $185 per night, Vaughan said.

“This is also about having fun,” she concluded, laughing. “If you have a man dressed as Mrs. Patmore, you’re having fun.”