There’s a cornucopia of events happening this month in Charleston, and the Sea Islands are no exception:

FRIDAY

ChaChaTequilaBar‘s Sugar Skull Showdown is tonight.

SATURDAY

Heritage Fest is happening at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island starting at 11am, music starts at 12. There’s BBQ and Bluegrass for adults and Harvest Fair, farm-themed fun for kids. This Charleston County Parks event is free for Gold Pass Members, free for kids 12 and under, and just $8 for everybody else.

Day of the Dead festivities are happening at many Mexican, Tex-Mex, or Baja-themed restaurants like West Ashley’s Mex 1 Coastal Cantina and 3 Matadors Tequileria. Bàsico in North Charleston is also having a DotD event.

Every Saturday is Sippin’ Saturday at Wadmalaw’s Irvin House Vineyards.

SUNDAY

There are two major dinner events scheduled on Johns Island:

There is the One Big Gathering Under the Tree: the Angel Oak Fellowship and Potluck Dinner, and the annual Harvest Dinner at Legare Farms benefitting the Legare Farms Education Foundation.

If you attend One Big Gathering, which is 1-5pm, bring a dessert or other dish for sharing. Park at the Haut Gap Middle School across the street. While you are there, be sure to snap lots of photos and share them on social media with the hashtag phrase #PreserveAngelOak. The Lowcountry Open Land Trust is still taking donations to save the second 17 acre parcel needed for the that surround the Angel Oak Preserve project. As you might imagine, a tree that predates our nation’s founding and this large needs its space and unspoiled access to water. Not to mention its the most amazing natural landmark on Johns Island, if not the entire Southeast.

The Harvest Dinner at Legare Farms starts with a reception at 4, and the dinner starts at 5. For just $65, attendees enjoy the talents of 11 area chefs, who represent a must-dine list for this area. That list includes Johns Island’s own Fat Hen and Wild Olive, Kiawah’s The Ocean Room, and West Ashley’s the Glass Onion. See the link for a full list of eateries. Wine is provided by Wadmalaw’s Irvin House Vineyards, Beer is provided by Holy City and Palmetto Breweries. Legare Farms Education Fund supports ‘agri-ed’ programs for area schoolchildren: covering the Lowcountry’s long history of farming, what farms are and how they operate, and where our food really comes from.

Sunnyside Plantation on nearby Edisto Island has an oyster roast starting at 2pm. Bring your glove(s) and your oyster knife; typically you use your writing hand for holding the knife, and the opposite hand is gloved and holds the oyster. I find the prying, if necessary, is easiest in the rear joint of the oyster’s connected shells. Some of the oyster knives you get a grocery stores are way too thick and dull. I would think a strong and thin but not pointed knife works just fine and you are less likely to lacerate yourself. Dull knives mean pushing too hard with your hands, then your blade hand slips and that’s when bad cuts happen to good people. Gloves I like are thick woven sweater types that can handle being damp, with some gripper material on the palm and finger surfaces.

West Ashley’s Pearlz Oyster Bar also has an Oyster Roast 2-5pm. $12 all you can eat and drink specials to match. Bring your glove(s) and your oyster knife.

AND GUESS WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON NEXT WEEKEND….

The 24th annual Holiday Festival of Lights (HFOL) opens on November 9th at James Island County Park. There is a run and walk scheduled on the 6th and 7th. Signage has already been posted on multiple ends of Riverland Drive, and surrounding streets. And the huge snowflakes at the entry gate have awaited their big illumination date for several weeks now. Winter Wonderland, Santa’s village, Marshmallow roasting, hot cocoa, a sand sculpture, and Gingerbread houses from this year’s contest and just some of the fun that awaits.

DRIVING TIPS: If you are driving around Main and Maybank Roads early Saturday (11/2), please be on the lookout for Adopt a Highway volunteers collecting trash on the roadsides. 

Next week once the HFOL starts, you won’t want to be on Riverland Drive unless you are going to the Lights. Camp Road, Folly Road, and Maybank all can expect extra traffic from Nov. 6th-Dec. 31st, and they are already busy  on a daily basis.