Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Charleston Farmers Market Opens on April 3, 2010

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On April 3rd, 2010, Charleston Farmers Market will again open at Marion Square in the downtown area. The Farmers Market offers fresh locally grown produce as well as other foods, and arts and crafts. The market will continue during the season until December 19, 2010.

The 2010 Poster
The special 2010 poster, Peter Piper’s Peppers by Ginny Versteegen,  will be unveiled at 10:30 am by Charleston City Councilman Kathleen Wilson and Ellen Dressler Moryl, Director City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs.  The South Carolina Broadcasters, a local bluegrass band, will perform until 1:30 p.m.

Green Market
This year, the Charleston Farmers Market will organize a planning process to transition into a “Green Market.” Only a few farmers markets in the U.S. are officially recognized as “Green Markets.” This transition includes recycling and/or re-using all of the materials that are produced by the market as well as educating vendors and the public on the value of being green, including using recycled products, re-using products and composting.

New Additions
New farmers and vendors in the 2010 market include:

• Messy Apron will offer fresh hot and cold soups made with local produce for eat-in or take-out.
• Meat House, owned and operated by Jason Houser, will offer charcuterie products, including sausage, bacon and pâté.
• BJ’s Brats is a local food vendor from Seabrook Island that will offer locally made bratwurst and Italian sausage.
• Family Trees owned and operated by Kara Viacrusis, will sale jade house plants which are offspring of her grandmother’s 30-year-old jade tree.

Popular Vendors
Among the vendors who are returning to the market for another season and offering additional products are: Captain Hatt’s, a full-service fish market will also offer pickled shrimp and crab and shrimp dips; Chucktown Chicken has lemon grass as well as farm-raised chickens, River Run Farms will offer its grass-fed beef as well as kiwi fruit and other kiwi products and luffa sponges and compost products. Nelly’s Farm is expanding their organic produce selection by offering mixed greens, cucumbers, basil as well as arugula and flowers. Burden Creek Dairy will also supply goat milk as well as plain and flavored chèvre.

“Not only is the weekly Charleston Farmers Market a testimony to the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in here in Charleston, but Charleston farmers are becoming an integral part of the community, offering produce to many of the local restaurants and as a result are significant contributors to a thriving, sustainable local economy. We are so thrilled to welcome the market back to our Saturday routine April 3rd,” says Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

About Charleston Farmers Market

Founded by Mayor Joe Riley in 1989, the Charleston Farmers Market is produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, in cooperation with the City of Charleston Parks Department. Over the years, the Charleston Farmers Market has received numerous awards: In 2005, the Charleston Farmers Market, newly revitalized and relocated back in the renovated Marion Square, received the Three Sisters Award from the Charleston Save the City Committee. In 2008, the Market was ranked by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the top 10 best Farmers Markets in the nation. In the Charleston City Paper reader’s poll, “Best Of,” the Charleston Farmers Market was named 2009 Best Outdoor Event. Now permanently located in Marion Square, in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, S.C., the Farmers Market is open each Saturday, from April 3 to Dec., 19, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Farmers Market is dedicated to the support and advocacy of Lowcountry farmers and growers and offers a variety of local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers as well as breakfast and lunch vendors, live entertainment and an assortment of juried arts and crafts from local artisans. The Charleston Farmers Market attracts citizens and visitors alike. It is the community connection every Saturday morning from April through December, bringing together people from all parts of the Lowcountry and beyond.

Spring Winefest at Middleton Place – Charleston, SC

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There is no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring but with a trip to the beautiful gardens of Middleton Place. There is a special Spring Wine Tasting at Middleton Place, where you get to sip wine while enjoying the beautiful view of thousand of azaleas, dogwood and wisteria. The colors of the blooming flowers are reflecting in the water of the Rice Mill Pond. The tasting takes place from 5:30 – 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 31 and April 7. Reservations are required. Cost is $20 per person. For reservations, call 843-556-6020.

Movies in the Park at Treaty Oak in Jacksonville, Fl

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Movies in the Park at Treaty Oak on the Southbank in downtown Jacksonville returns for the spring. Come to downtown and bring the whole family to watch movies under the stars. Bring your own chairs, or blankets – and pack a picnic. Vendors will also sell concessions on site. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Admission to the screening is free. The movies begin at dusk, around 8 p.m.

  • Friday, April 16: Shrek
  • Friday, April 23: Sixteen Candles
  • Friday, April 30: Back To The Future
  • Friday, May 7: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

PARKING:
Free parking available in the Suddath garage on Flagler Street across from the Hampton Inn. Garage.  Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and stay open until 12:00 a.m.

For more information visit downtownjacksonville.org or
call (904) 630-4100.

Treaty Oak Park, 1123 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, Fl

Lowcountry Cajun Fest in Charleston, SC

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Zydeco Music Heats up Lowcountry Cajun Fest coming to James Island Country Park outside Charleston, South Carolina.

The 19th annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival is bringing spice and heat to Charleston on Sunday,  March 28, 2010. Experience a little bit of  Louisiana right here on the coast. The Lowcountry Cajun Fest is a fun filled day packed with live music, entertainment, food, children’s activities and more!

Lowcountry cajun festival james island county park charleston south carolinaCome hungry, and take the opportunity to enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole fare prepared by local and regional chefs. There’s even a crawfish eating contest at 2:30 p.m.

Delicious food is not the only attraction, there’ s also a lot of live music  from renowned Zydeco bands.  Taking the stage at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. will be one of the hottest bands on the Zydeco scene, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners. Promising to deliver hits that will get folks dancing, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners have toured the world specializing in traditional Louisiana Zydeco music. Leroy is a throwback to first-generation Zydeco, and has an encyclopedic repertoire of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, R&B and Country music.

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas

Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas will perform at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m. For over 20 years, Nathan and his hard-working band have toured the world bringing their unique brand of authentic Zydeco music to fans around the globe. Uplifting and connected to its place in history, the music of Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Chas is the expression of a remarkable South Louisiana family.

Other festivities include a crafter market and mechanical, inflatable and carnival games for kids. Check www.ccprc.com/cajun for a current entertainment schedule.

Admission is $10. This event is free for ages 12 and under with paying adult.  Call 795-4FUN (4386) or visit website!

lowcountry cajun festival james island county park, charleston, south carolina

Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens 2010

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The city of Savannah is known for its beautiful squares, remarkable architecture and hidden gardens.  Put on your comfortable walking shoes, get out your water bottle, and get ready for Savannah’s Tour of Homes and Gardens. This is one of the absolute best ways to experience some of Savannah’s finest homes and most beautiful gardens. The 75th Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens takes place in Savannah, Georgia, March 25 – 28, 2010.

The self-guided house tours featured a different historic neighborhood each of the four days. Tour participants receive a guide book with a color coded map. Volunteers are at hand to assist you at each tour site. You do this tour at your own pace.

Savannah has the largest urban landmark historic district in the U. S.  In this 2.5 square mile area, there is an astonishingly preserving the  beauty, architecture and history of the old South.  The city of Savannah was founded back in 1733 by General James Edward Oglethorpe whose grid design influenced the city.   To this day there is twenty-one oak-canopied squares giving Savannah its unique character.

Walking Tour tickets will be priced at $40 per person, per day with six to nine sites on Tour each day. Click here to buy tickets.

Please call 912-234-8054 with questions.

Download the brochure for the event here!