October 2011

7th Annual Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival Takes Place in Bluffton, SC, in October

The Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival is back for the seventh year – and growing. What started as a one-day event in 2005, has quickly become a week of festivities in historic Bluffton showcasing the arts and locally harvested seafood.

Festival events are scheduled Sunday, Oct. 16 – Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011. The response to the event has grown over the years. “Festivals are like magnets, they attract the young and old, rich and poor, locals and visitors, all to celebrate their community,” said Dan Wood, Festival Founder.

The traditional opening ceremony, the Blessing of the Fleet and Boat Parade on the May River, will again kick off the week of festivities on Sunday, Oct. 16. On Monday evening at 5:30pm an Oyster Roast and Tour of the Waddell Mariculture Center (reservations required) will take place with Al Stokes on the bluff of the Colleton River. Friday night is Family Night at the Promenade Park offering environmental activities, story telling and movies for children and the young at heart.

Other favorite returning events include daily gallery happenings, kayak tours, author night, the 5K Run, Saturday morning children’s fishing tournament, boat tours, and culminates with the Saturday and Sunday Street Fest. This Street Fest includes live music, “Iron Chef” competition & Chefs’ Auction and of course the juried Artist Showcase on Calhoun Street. Over 90 artists from 10 different states including 15 from our very own Beaufort County will be showcasing and displaying their fine art; local restaurants and caterers will be serving up delicious seafood dishes and Low Country Cuisine; and area environmentalists will be highlighting our natural resources and the necessary conservation practices to ensure their continuance.

One of the highlights of this week-long event is the juried Artist Showcase which takes place along Calhoun Street in Historic Bluffton on Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23. Festival goers will enjoy seeing a variety of fine art in media such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and mixed media. The paintings vary from realistic to abstract to folk art. The wide range of photography, plus an eclectic assortment of fine crafts from metal, blown glass, handmade musical instruments, wildlife woodcarvings, carved gourds, pottery to sweet grass baskets, round out the artistic offerings to be viewed. Come out and enjoy the fine art while supping on delicious food as you are entertained with great music to complete a wonderful time in the heart of Old Town Bluffton.

The Festival was created in response to the citizens of Bluffton who have expressed a great passion for protecting and maintaining the pristine quality of the May River and the historic Bluffton Oyster Company. “As Bluffton continues to grow it is paramount that we continue to introduce our citizens, old and new, to these precious Bluffton gems,” Wood said.

Support for the event from the community has been strong. Bluffton Today, Hargray, 104.9 The Surf, Rotary Club of Bluffton, and The Island Packet have all committed to major sponsorships.

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Festival at 843/757-2583 or visit (www.blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.com).

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