Come over to beautiful Beaufort, SC to shop, dine, dance, play and socialize.
Life is like a box of chocolates and you never know who you’ll see at Beaufort’s First Friday event!
The historic town of Beaufort is big on tradition and social gathering. This Lowcountry town has dedicated a special day each month for just such occasions. Come over to Beaufort on the First Friday of every month. Bay Street will be closed to traffic in the evening so people can gather and have a good time. The shops are unique, the food is divine and the people are one-of-a-kind! Experience southern hospitality in the heart of the Lowcountry!
Holidays are especially fun at First Friday.
First Friday is a celebration of Downtown shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and community. It’s a fun night for the downtown businesses and for locals! Come explore downtown galleries, shopping, and eateries throughout the evening. Bay Street is closed to vehicle traffic from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy entertainment and live demonstrations too! The event is free and open to all ages.
The downtown stores always stay open late for First Friday!
Downtown shops are always open late for this monthly event.
December’s First Friday kicks off Beaufort’s Holiday Weekend. This fun three-day event includes Night on the Town, a lighted boat parade and Christmas parade. Be sure to add this to your calendar of events.
Dancing on the street is always a big event at Beaufort’s First Friday events!
Beaufort’s First Friday is always a highly anticipated monthly event.
If you are in the vicinity of Bluffton on any given Thursday afternoon, you should find your way to the Bluffton Farmers Market. Located in the heart of Old Town Bluffton, the market has something for everyone. The market is teaming with fresh produce, sweets, prepared foods, fresh pasta, dog treats and much, much more.
Park the car and have lunch at one of the many restaurants that are just steps away. Lunch can also be purchased at the market and taken to the Heyward House where tables are set up around a backyard fire pit.
Don’t miss the opportunity to browse the many unique stores in the area after visiting the market booths. Most shops are housed in restored structures along Calhoun Street and its intersections. Converse with shop owners and view their one-of-a-kind items.
The Bluffton Farmers Market is open every Thursday from, 12-5 p.m. – Year-Round. Farm Fresh Produce to includes strawberries, carrots, onions, spinach, varieties of lettuce, broccoli, mushrooms, beets, potatoes, just to name a few… and honey, eggs, cheese, herbs, plants, flowers, seafood, and anything else in season. Prepared foods include BBQ, crepes, empanadas, gumbo, fried oysters & shrimp, she crab soup, crab cakes, fresh baked pastries & breads, sweets, coffee, kettle corn, chocolates, and much more…
Don’t forget your furry friends. Dogs are welcome at the farmers market and in most of the stores and restaurants in the area. Bring Fido for lunch and if he behaves, stop by the doggie booth and pick up some treats!
Bluffton Farmers Market Martin Family Park 68 Boundary Street at the intersection of Green St. Bluffton, SC 29910 843-415-2447
March is upon us and so are all the festivities that come with it! The Lowcountry is busy with festivals and activities to keep us entertained all month.
Bluffton will be starting off the month’s festivities with the inaugural Bluffton Night Bazaar held under the twinkling lights of the Burnt Church Distillery courtyard. This new monthly event features local artisans, live music, food & drink.
The Beaufort Charities Oyster Roast is just a few days away, on March 5th at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. In its 17th year, the Oyster Roast features all you can eat Beaufort oysters from 1-8 pm. Entertainment will be provided by local bands The Entertainers and Steel Rail Express. The event also includes premium micro-brews, a full day children’s program, live auctions, and local vendors offering varied fairs.
Walterboro is excited to announce the return of the Walterboro History, Arts & Music Festival. This festival celebrates local history along with visual and performing arts added into the mix. Artists, performers, reenactors, storytellers, musicians and more entertain the crowds that come from near and far. The festival will be held in various locations throughout Walterboro, March 7-12.
The Beaufort History Museum will host two Revolutionary War events March 11-12, 2022, as part of its anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the war in 2026. On Friday, March 11, 2:00-3:00 p.m., at the St. Helena Island Public Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Rd., Rita Elliott will discuss the Battle of Purrysburg, S.C., and later archaeological dig discoveries made at the battle site. On Saturday, March 12, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., at the Beaufort History Museum, 713 Craven St., re-enactors from the 5th Company, 4th South Carolina Regiment will conduct a live-fire demonstration with period artillery. The team will be set up in the walled Arsenal Courtyard and provide a unique educational opportunity for visitors of all ages. Live cannon demonstrations are planned at 30-minute intervals throughout the day starting at 10:30 AM. Both events are free and open to the public.
Dust off your green because the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is BACK!! It’s time to turn out for South Carolina’s oldest St Patrick’s Day Parade. Kick off your St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Hilton Head Island during the 27th Annual Pinnacle Bank Hilton Head Shamrock 5K. Hilton Head’s Annual “Running of the Green” will be held on Saturday morning March 12th at 7:30am.
Next on the agenda is the Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Come view the 2nd Annual Boat Parade as it cruises down Broad Creek, followed by an Irish concert at Lowcountry Celebration Park. The parade is the grand finale! It will proudly march down Pope Avenue Sunday, March 13th at 3pm.
Join Beaufort March 12th in historic downtown as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a fun way! The Sham Rocked Sip & Stroll 2022 offers several ticket options from 10am – 2pm. Each attendee receives a Sip & Stroll t-shirt, swag bag, and access to all the goodie stations spread throughout downtown Beaufort. Goodie stations will feature either a cocktail, something yummy or something swag for you to have during your stroll. Downtown merchants will be open for shopping during or after the stroll. Restaurants will be featuring lunch and dinner specials as well! So grab your gal pals, friends, family, or significant other for a fun filled day in downtown Beaufort during the Sip & Stroll!
Soak up some local culture at Hardeeville’s Lowcountry Pow Wow and Cultural Festival March 12-13th. Millstone Landing is the backdrop for this festival that sets out to educate the public about Native Americans. It also creates a gathering place for Native people to celebrate their culture. The event features Aztec dancing, drumming, arts & crafts, native campsites, demonstrations, food and much more.
Beaufort’s Town Center will be the site for their Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival. This outdoor event will showcase a variety of wholesome activities for people of all ages. The 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Beaufort Town Center is a free, family-fun celebration benefiting the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association. The event will take place on Saturday, March 19 from 12-4pm. Area restaurants and food trucks will be selling food and drinks and there will be live entertainment including a bagpipe player, local music, and much more! This family-fun event will have activities for all ages! We will also have festive drinks available for the adults!
The Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival takes place the last week of March. This week-long celebration combines the fruits of global wine partnerships, signature Lowcountry cuisine, grassroots cultural happenings, and the authentic fabric of a unique community. Join us as we celebrate the 36th anniversary of this annual Hilton Head Island rite of passage. Experience for yourself this year’s schedule of events including spectacular celebrity chef showcases, intriguing wine education sessions, live entertainment and of course the famed Grand and Public Tasting events.
Photos found on Beaufort Oyster Festival Facebook page.
A great time was had by all at the 2022 Beaufort Oyster Festival! The weather was a perfect combination of winter chill and sunshine. The city’s waterfront park was the setting and oyster lovers from near and far came out to enjoy great food, live music and activities. Oyster dishes of all kinds were provided by Maggioni Oyster Company, Sea Eagle Market, Lady’s Island Singles and Serg Group. Festival goers had their choice of oyster creations, from fried to steamed and everything in between!
Photos found on Beaufort Oyster Festival Facebook page.
The festival coincided with Beaufort Tides to Tables Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants pulled out all the stops to create mouth-watering menus. The week rounded up with the two-day Oyster Festival. The festival kicked off Friday night with food and music provided by the Country Project and Steel Rail Express.
Photos found on Beaufort Oyster Festival Facebook page.
Runners came downtown bright and early Saturday morning for the Oyster Boogie 5K Run. The Social Oyster Shuck started at 10 am and the Competitive Oyster Shuck commenced at 1 pm. A Cornhole Tournament went on throughout the day. A competition for best oyster dish was held on Saturday. Here’s what the competitors served up for the judges:
Photos by Carmen Pinckney.
The Maggioni family has been harvesting and canning oysters in this part of the world since 1870, when they immigrated from Italy. The oyster company in in its fifth generation of ownership and is one of the largest providers of premium quality wild harvested bushels and single oysters. For this year’s festival Maggioni Oyster Company prepared oysters the old-fashioned way, just like we make in Lowcountry back yards. Three fire pits were placed in the park and oysters were roasted all day long. Head over to the Port Royal Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 am – noon to pick up Maggioni Oysters, or call 912-844-1031 and ask for Jeff.
Photos by Carmen Pinckney and Beaufort Oyster Festival Facebook.
Sea Eagle Market delivers fresh seafood from their boats on St. Helena Island. The family has been in the business since the 1970s. They deliver fresh seafood all over the state. They also have a busy catering business and market at 2149 Boundary Street, Beaufort. Sea Eagle served oysters raw, steamed and fried to perfection. They also dished up oyster fritters (my new favorite)! If you’re looking to purchase local seafood or have an event catered by the team, call 843-521-5090.
Photos by Carmen Pinckney and Beaufort Oyster Festival Facebook.
Lady’s Island Oyster Inc prepared single lady oysters with mignonette. Typically, classic mignonette is made from red wine vinegar, minced shallot, and freshly ground pepper. What did the Lady’s Island Oyster chef use? Who knows what his secret ingredients were? The oysters were delectable! Lady’s Island Oysters are harvested from their very own hatchery in Oysters can be ordered from Lady’s Island Oyster Inc by calling 843-473-5018.
Photos by Carmen Pinckney.
The chef for Serg Group and Skull Creek Boathouse prepared a garlic, parmesan and breaded oyster dish that would melt in your mouth! Skull Creek Boathouse is located on Hilton Head Island. Their restaurant has a wonderful menu that reflects the bounty of the Lowcountry waters. Dine at their waterfront restaurant and enjoy the views as you indulge on delicious menu items. Don’t forget to try their hushpuppies with spiced honey butter! They are famous. You can find Skull Creek Boathouse at 397 Squire Pope Road, 843-681-3663.
Photos by Beaufort Oyster Festival and Carmen Pinckney.
The competition was fierce, and the judges struggled to pick a favorite. After much deliberation and a tiebreaker, Maggioni’s old fashioned oyster roast won.
Photos found on Beaufort Oyster Festival Facebook page.
Just like many festival-goers, I’m looking forward to next year’s Beaufort Oyster Festival. In the meantime, I’m going to try to figure out how to make oyster fritters! That’s a blog for another day. For more information on festivals in the Lowcountry visit SOUTHCAROLINALOWCOUNTRY.COM. You can also find accommodations, attractions and much, much more on our website.
2019 Hampton County Watermelon Festival images by Jeffrey Musgrave and Harry Fanning.
Save the date for June 20-25, 2022! The state’s oldest festival with the longest parade is coming back in a big way! Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Watermelon Festival has taken a two-year break, but officials are anxious to bring the event back to the public! This marks the third time in history that the festival has been interrupted since its inception in 1931. The only events to cancel festival plans have been World War II, the Korean War, and COVID-19.
The six-day event will be held June 20-25th. Most events will be held outdoors, amid the fresh air and Hampton sunshine. Plans mare also underway to televise the parade for those that want to watch from home.
Images by Brandy Harrington and Harry Fanning.
-The festival will kick off with a Youth Parade and Opening Ceremonies on Monday, June 20th. Head over to Varnville to see this spectacular event that stretches from the Varnville Baptist Church to the Varnville Gazebo. The Hampton County youth look forward to this event every year. Golf carts, strollers, wagons are decorated in the festival theme and paraded along the route. Opening ceremonies are celebrated with hot dogs, drinks, and of course – watermelon slices. Stick around to watch the watermelon eating contest.
Photos by Brandy Harrington and Trent Tribe.
-Typically, Tuesday would bring the Taste of Hampton. This year an outdoor Food Truck Event is scheduled. Food trucks from across the county will be serving up their favorite recipes. This is a great night of fantastic food and fellowship. Children’s Day in the Park is two fun-filled hours of entertainment for the younger crowd. Bring the little ones for face painting, sidewalk chalk, games, water slide, and bounce house. Entertainment will be provided by local talent.
-A Fishing Contest will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd at Lake Warren State Park, along with a music event. The fishing contest is the oldest event in the festival’s history. All ages are invited to come out to Lake Warren State Park and compete for one of the many prizes. Bring the whole family for a day of fun!
Pet Show images from Hampton County Watermelon Festival Facebook.
-Thursday, June 23rd is the day for the Pet Show at Varnville Rec. Center, followed by the Battle of the Towns. Wade Hampton football field is the scene for this silly competition. Teams participate in wacky races and competitions for bragging rights and a trophy. Bring the whole family to see the competition and indulge in concessions.
Photos by Brandy Harrington.
-Friday is the day to come out for Arts & Crafts, Food Vendors, T-shirt sales and a free Street Dance. The street dance is the second largest event of the festival and held outdoors on Lee Avenue. The night is filled with music and old-fashioned family fun.Two different bands will play on opposite ends of the street, so there’s something for all tastes.Food vendors and arts & crafts will be available during the night’s festivities.
Parade images by Jeffrey Musgrave.
-And Saturday is the big day, starting with a 5K run, followed by the longest parade in the state. The route is 3.2 miles long, stretching from Varnville to Hampton! Pick your spot early and be ready at 10 am for queens, floats, state and local dignitaries, bands, and horses.
The community is invited to the opening celebration of the traveling exhibit “A War on Two Fronts: African Americans Fight for Victory at Home and Abroad” on February 5, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage.
Dr. Maggi Morehouse from Coastal Carolina University will be on hand to discuss the origins of the project which explores the stories, struggles and accomplishments of African soldiers during World War II. Attendees can view footage of interviews from Orease Brown and Henry Lawton, two of the black WWII veterans from Jasper County. The event will also include guided tours of the exhibition, light refreshments and music from the 1940s era.
More than one million African Americans served during WWII, but their contributions to the war effort are rarely discussed. “A War on Two Fronts” is adapted from an original exhibition and book developed by the Athenaeum Press at the Horry County Museum. The exhibition and book explore how African Americans in the 92nd and 93rd Army infantry divisions fought for racial equality during wartime, and then went on to be active participants in the Civil Rights Movement. It traces the little-known stories of soldiers on the front lines, and how segregation affected their training, service and recognition.
The exhibition draws from the work of Dr. Maggi Morehouse, Burroughs Distinguished Professor of Southern History and Culture at Coastal Carolina University and a daughter of a commanding officer in the 92nd infantry division. Morehouse interviewed more than 40 soldiers and their families on their experiences. Her archive will be housed at the Library of Congress. The exhibit includes historical photographs, interviews with soldiers, film, audio and interactives, to tell the compelling story of the life of a black soldier during WWII.
“We are very pleased to be able to bring ‘A War on Two Fronts’ to our area,” said Tamara Herring, Morris Center Executive Director. “It allows us the opportunity to showcase the contributions and sacrifices of our local veterans, and we hope that it will inspire many to study and talk about this important time of our nation’s history.”
On view at the Morris Center from February 5, 2022, through August 13, 2022, “A War on Two Fronts” was created by the Athenaeum Press, a student publishing lab at Coastal Carolina University that focuses on telling regional stories in innovative ways. To learn more about “A War on Two Fronts” and other Athenaeum Press projects, visit www.ccu.pressor www.warontwofronts.com.
The Morris Center is open to the public Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.morrisheritagecenter.org.
About Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage
Located in the heart of downtown Ridgeland on US 17, Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage is a learning and exhibition center dedicated to preserving and cultivating the history, culture and spirit of Ridgeland and its surrounding counties. Housed in a collection of vintage buildings, with the architecturally distinctive Sinclair Service Station as its focal point, the center features ever-changing exhibitions, interactive and dynamic learning opportunities, cultural offerings, storytelling and other forms of art.
The 2022 Colleton County Rice Festival has been scheduled for April 29-30, 2022. This annual event features arts and crafts, food, fireworks, music, a parade and much more! Competitors can take part in the corn hole tournament and Rice Run.
Images from Colleton County Rice Festival Facebook page.
According to the Rice Festival website, “Since it first arrived in 1685, rice helped create enormous wealth for the Lowcountry, and Colleton County was perfect for growing it. During the annual Rice Festival, we celebrate the heritage of rice in this community and the beauty of the people and land that continue to bless this great country.”
Come enjoy a fun-filled week of family activities in the warm Carolina sun. The Rice Festival has all the elements that make it fun for the entire family. Central to the festival is an arts and crafts area with a wide array of handcrafted items. The queen of the Rice Festival is crowned in a special pageant and she takes her rightful place of honor in the Rice Festival Parade as it meanders through downtown as a kickoff event to the festival. A 5K run, rated one of the top races in South Carolina, is another signature event for the festival. And what Carolina Festival is complete without a food court? Sprinkle in activities such as fireworks, music, and other entertainment, and you’ve got an event sure to please the entire family.
Images from Colleton County rice Festival Facebook page.
Explore the streets of our county seat and experience a full schedule of family activities. Come see why Walterboro is the front porch of the Lowcountry. For more information visit Ricefestival.org or follow them on Facebook.
The Congaree Golf Club is the home of this 2021 PGA Tour event!
The Palmetto Championship, a PGA Tour event, will be held June 7-13 in Ridgeland at the Congaree Golf Club. This one-time event will fill the spot left open when the 2021 RBC Canadian Open was cancelled. This official FedEx Cup event will field 156 golfers.
Photos by Russell Kirk.
Governor Henry McMaster recently announced the event and said, “South Carolina is open for business and we are proud to have the opportunity to take advantage of this unique opportunity. This nationally televised, elite tournament will give people from around the world a chance to see all that South Carolina has to offer and will jumpstart our tremendous tourism industry. We are grateful to the PGA Tour and Congaree’s owner, Dan Friedkin, for this opportunity to highlight our great state.”
Congaree Golf Club Plantation House
Congaree Golf Club Schoolhouse
Photos by Russell Kirk.
The Congaree Golf Club was built on Davant Plantation. The original Greek Revival home on this historic property was burned in 1865 by Sherman’s troops. The circa 1820 that we see today was dismantled and transferred piece-by-piece to this site from a neighboring property that was also owned by the Davant family. This property was also the principal backdrop for scenes in the 1995 movie Something to Talk About. The club launched the Global Golf Initiative to target underprivileged high school students who are passionate about golf and show academic promise. They even built a schoolhouse on the property to prepare students for college admissions. Congaree’s Palmetto Championship joins the list of other 2021 significant tournaments in the state including the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island, the PGA Championship on Kiawah Island and Greenville’s annual BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation.
Congaree Golf Club.
Congaree Golf Course.
Images by Russell Kirk and Golf Digest.
The 2021 Palmetto Championship at Congaree will be broadcast on CBS, Golf Channel and PGA TOUR LIVE, and internationally on GOLFTV powered by the PGA TOUR.
Winter is Oyster Season in the SC Lowcountry. Come to the Beaufort Oyster Festival – Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands every January
The shores of the South Carolina Lowcountry are known for their oyster harvests. What would our winters be without a good, old-fashioned oyster roast? Typically, in our neck of the woods, if the month ends in “R”, we’re eating our fill of this delicious shellfish. The Beaufort Area Hospitality Association is delighted to host the Beaufort Oyster Festival. This multi-day festival will celebrate all aspects of the Lowcountry and the Carolina Sea Islands oystering culture.
The festival will be held alongside the yearly Tides to Tables event. This is Beaufort’s celebration held in conjunction with South Carolina Restaurant Week. The events will culminate in a weekend of mini-festival events held throughout Beaufort County.
Photo courtesy of the SC Lowcountry Tourism Commission.
The festival kicks off with the Oyster Festival 5K. The festival is held downtown Beaufort at the waterfront park.
Come share in this family-friendly event that is held every January. Educate yourself on the life cycle of an oyster. Taste oyster dishes and beverages from local food trucks and enjoy the entertainment. Admission to this event is free, but you must buy tickets to purchase food and other goodies.
Photo courtesy of the SC Lowcountry Tourism Commission.
Lady’s Island Oyster Companywill be on hand to serve single lady oysters. Grab your friends, enjoy the oysters, grab a drink and enjoy the live music. Order Lady’s Island oysters for your next oyster roast. 35 Hutson Drive, Seabrook, (843)473-5018
Photo by Kelly Yandell.
Magionni Oyster Company will celebrate the tradition of oyster roasts the way the locals do it. This talented family will set up a good old fashioned oyster roast in the waterfront park. When in season, oysters can be purchased at the Port Royal Farmers Market every Saturday, or visit 440 Eddings Point Road, Saint Helena Island, (912)844-1031.
Photo by SCETV.
Lady’s Island Oyster Inc will also be serving oyster dishes. Their oysters are harvested from their very own hatchery in the Lowcountry. Oysters can be ordered from Lady’s Island Oyster Inc by calling 843-473-5018.
Beaufort’s Shrimp Festival celebrates the fall shrimp season and highlights the region’s culinary traditions. We invite locals and Southeastern visitors to restaurants, shops, and outdoor venues across the Beaufort region to enjoy the best of Lowcountry food and lifestyle.
Throughout Shrimp Festival season, participating restaurants region-wide feature a specially priced fresh shrimp dishes and local shops feature seafood themed promotions.
Visit our website link below for the latest information and up-to-date list of participating restaurants to sample the bounty of our Lowcountry waters and celebrate the long tradition of the shrimping industry right here in Beaufort!
Participating Restaurants:
Fat Patties – 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort
Fishcamp on 11th Street – 1699 11th St, Port Royal
Madison’s – 925 10th St, Port Royal
Morgan River Grill – 100 Marina Dr, St Helena Island
Mr Seafood – 1281 Ribaut Rd, Beaufort
Old Bull Tavern – 205 West St, Beaufort
Plums – 904 Bay St, Beaufort
Salt Marsh Brewing – 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort
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The Lowcountry & Resort Islands Region of South Carolina includes the four, southern-most counties in the state, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton, which are bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Savannah River and the state of Georgia.
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