Isle of Palms Area Calendar of Events

2011 Calendar of Events

Charleston Area Convention and Visitor Bureau calendar of events can be seen at
http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/events_news/events.html

Year Round Events

Hunley Tours - Year Round: 10-5 Sat, 12-5 Sun.

In 1864, the H.L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship. Unfortunately, before she could return to celebrate her victory, the sub disappeared with her nine-man crew off Sullivan's Island, S.C. Her fate was a mystery until she was discovered in 1995 by a diving expedition led by author Clive Cussler. Five years later, the sub was lifted from her resting place and brought to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, S.C. Now, the public can catch a glimpse of this piece of history. For more information about the H.L. Hunley, please call 843-744-2186. To order tickets by phone call 1-877-448-6539. www.hunley.org.

Plantation Days at Middleton Place - Year Round: 9-5 Daily

Craftworkers demonstrate the skills needed to sustain an 18th and 19th century plantation and bring to life the sights and sounds of harvest time. For more information please call 843-556-6020 or www.middletonplace.org.

JANUARY

Lowcountry Oyster Festival: January 31

Imagine.....65,000 pounds of oysters. Two tractor-trailers full of oysters will roll onto the grounds at Boone Hall Plantation to kick off the Lowcountry Oyster Festival. This event has been named in the "top 20 events in the southeast" by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Held by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, the "Oyster Fest" gates open with free parking available. Besides having plenty oysters available, other food will be available. The "Food Court" features food from some of the area's popular restaurants, enough to satisfy every taste. For more information, call Kathy Britzius at (843) 577-4030.

FEBRUARY

Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash: February 5 -16

The Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash¨ is Charleston, South Carolina's annual celebration of authentic blues music. With ten days of performances in multiple venues, the Bash boasts some of the most innovative blues festival programming in North America. You will find The Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash to be a delight. For more information please call 843-762-9125 or www.bluesbash.com.

Southeastern Wildlife Expo: February 12 - 14

Now in its 28th year, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, one that you have to experience first hand to understand and truly appreciate. Held each year, SEWE attracts 35,000+ attendees to beautiful Charleston, SC, to enjoy world-class original art, diverse exhibits, interesting presentations and lectures, not to mention Southern hospitality and lots of fun! For more information call 843.723.1748 or visit www.sewe.com.

MARCH

Charleston Food & Wine Festival: March 3 - 6

The culinary styles of top chefs and culinary experts from around the world will be featured at the Distinctively Charleston Food and Wine Festival. Southern traditions will be intertwined with the art and culinary tastes of top chefs from the West coast, New England, France and Switzerland. Information and tickets can be obtained by visiting www.charlestonwineandfood.com.

Annual Festival of Houses & Gardens: March 17 - April 16

Held during the peak of the historic port city's blooming season, the 63rd Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens offers guests a rare opportunity to visit the private interiors of nearly 150 of the charleston's most magnificent colonial and antebellum houses and gardens. Information and tickets can be obtained by calling 843-722-3405, or visiting www.historiccharleston.org.

APRIL

Cooper River Bridge Run: April 2

Hosted by the Medical University of South Carolina, this 10K (6.2 mile) run and 4.4 mile walk begins in Mt. Pleasant, crosses the Cooper River Bridge, and ends in historic downtown Charleston. Attendance increases each year with more than 40,000 participants last year. Race begins at 8 am and the walk at 8:30 am. Please call (843) 856-1949 for more information and registration, or visit www.bridgerun.com.

Lowcountry Cajun Festival - April 3

Celebrate Louisiana living and Charleston charm during the Lowcountry Cajun Festival at James Island County Park. Enjoy a full day of Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole foods, children's activities and all around ragin' Cajun entertainment! Hours are from Noon-6pm, tickets are $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free. For more information please call 843-795-4386.

Family Circle Cup: April 4 -10

Every spring, the City of Charleston and Daniel Island serves as a backdrop to one of the richest and most traditional events in women's professional tennis. The Family Circle Cup, one of twenty Premier Events on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has a roster of past champions that include some of the biggest names in the history of women's tennis including Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, and Serena Williams. Go to www.familycirclecup.com for tickets and more information.

22nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet: April 17, 11:30-5:00pm

On the scenic shores of Alhambra Hall overlooking the beautiful Charleston, SC harbor, the Town of Mount Pleasant will honor the 22nd anniversary of a unique shrimping festival that attracts thousands of visitors from across the southeast each year. Throughout the day, festival-goers will enjoy family-themed entertainment, including live beach music and lively shrimp-eating and shag dance contests. Guests will delight in trying out seafood and other cuisine offered for sale by local restaurants during the festival. For more information, contact Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department Special Events Coordinator at 843-849-2061 or visit www.townofmountpleasant.com.

MAY - JUNE

Spoleto Festival USA: May 27 - June 12

Historic Charleston hosts the Spoleto Festival USA with an array of artistic performances for everyone! Opera, jazz, theater, orchestral, chamber, contemporary music, literary and visual arts fill the theaters and halls of the area during this very special two weeks. Prices vary for performances. For ticket information please call 843-722-2764 or www.spoletousa.org. Box office: 843-579-3100.

Piccolo Spoleto: May 27 - June 12

Focusing primarily on artists of the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to the international scope of its parent festival and its 700 events in 17 days, transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of performing, literary and visual arts. Piccolo Spoleto's traditional program offerings include visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children's activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts, and film. For Tickets contact Ticketmaster Charleston at (843) 554-6060 or go to www.piccolospoleto.org.

JULY

Fireworks: July 4

On Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island and Patriots Point.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

34th Annual Fall Candlelight Tours of Homes & Gardens: September -October

Take a stroll under the lights of Charleston's doorways during the Preservation Society of Charleston's 34th Annual Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens. The Preservation Society was founded in 1920 by a small group of Charlestonians concerned with the increasing threat to one of America's outstanding collections of 18th, 19th and 20th century architecture. We are proud that the mandate to educate, plan and encourage the preserva- tion of Charleston's architecture, history and culture continues today in our beloved city. Join the Society today and receive a 10% discount on the Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens. For more information please call 843-722-4630 or visit www.preservationsociety.org.

Moja Arts Festival: September 29 - October 9

2010 marks Charleston's 27th annual MOJA Arts Festival: A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts. Selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events for many different years, the 2010 MOJA Arts Festival promises an exciting line-up of events with a rich variety of traditional favorites. Nearly half of MOJA's events are admission-free and the remainder are offered at very modest ticket prices, ranging from $5 to $35. For more information log on to www.mojafestival.com or call (843) 724-7305. For tickets contact your local Ticketmaster agent.

OCTOBER

Isle of Palms Connector Run and Walk: October 1

The 18th Annual IOP Connector Run and Walk for the Children is a 10K Run and Walk event. Proceeds benefit the Local Prevention of Child Abuse and other child-related charities. www.iopconnectorrun.com

Charleston Komen Race for the Cure

More than 4,000 mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands and friends of all ages will participate in the seventh annual Charleston Komen Race for the Cure. The race will raise funds and awareness for the prevention and eradication of breast cancer. There will be a 5K Co- Ed run & walk as well as a 1 Mile family fun. For more information go to www.komenlowcountry.org

NOVEMBER

20th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights: November - January

Over the years the Holiday Festival of Lights has become one of the must-see events for everyone's holiday season in Charleston. This event started in 1990 with only 18 light displays. Twenty years later, with over two million lights and 600 light displays, the Holiday Festival of Lights has become a Lowcountry tradition for many families. We hope that you take the time to experience all this event has to offer. From the train ride to the sand sculpture, the carousel to the enchanted forest, there is something for everyone. For more information visit www.ccprc.com or call 843-762-8089.

DECEMBER

Middleton Place - Family Yuletide

Families can enjoy storytelling around a warm fire, Christmas caroling, ornament and wreath making, candle dipping, a live nativity scene featuring many of the plantation's animals, and craftspeople working in their shops by candlelight. Hot cider and seasonal refreshments are also included. Advance ticket purchase required. $10 per adult, $5 per child ages 7-15 and children 6 & under are free. Call (843) 556-6020.

Parade of Boats Charleston Harbor

The parade begins at approximately 5:30PM near the Mt. Pleasant side and ends in the Ashley River, (after processing down the Charleston side of the Cooper River), at approximately 7:30PM. We say approximately, because of various factors, including wind, current, and the ability of the boats to maintain headway. You may participate in the parade by simply registering with the city (call (843) 724-7305), decorating your boat from stem to stern with lights, and joining us on the water. Thousands of spectators view the parade along the route from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston each year. The mid-point of the parade features a spectacular fireworks display shot from the harbor. For more information: Call Ray Swagerty, Production Manager & Parade of Boats Coordinator (843) 724-7414 or email SwagertyR@ci.charleston.sc.us

Charleston New Year's Eve: December 31

This community celebration offers a non-alcoholic and family-oriented alternative program to celebrate the New Year in Charleston. This city wide, admission-free program has something wonderful for everyone: comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children's activities and so much more. At Marion Square and surrounding areas in Downtown Charleston. Call (843) 724-7305 for more information.