Bluegrass and BBQ: The Harvest Festival is coming to Johns Island

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Long ago, Southern families would gather each fall to give thanks to the season's bountiful harvest and that celebration would include a day of feasting, music, games and fun.

Tthe Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission continues the tradition on Johns Island with the 11th Annual Harvest Festival, coming up on Saturday, November 3.

The family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island.

A new addition to this year's Harvest Festival is a barbeque cook-off by local restaurants. Visitors to the festival will be able to sample portions of each restaurant's barbeque for $1 each (for a 3-ounce sample), and then vote on their favorite. The best barbeque award will be presented to the winning restaurant on site at 4 p.m. Restaurants scheduled to take part in the cook-off include The Barbeque Joint, Bayou Bar B Q Boys, Ted's Butcherblock, and Blind Hog BBQ. The festival will also feature other Southern delights like roasted boiled peanuts, kettle korn, and everyone's favorite festival foods, plus cold beverages available for purchase.

So, get ready for some Southern cooking and come on down to Johns Island! After feasting on great food, festival-goers will enjoy foot-stompin' live bluegrass music from five local bands. The Harvest Festival also has plenty to keep kids and the whole family occupied including hay rides, a stick pony corral, pumpkin decorating, penny diving, lasso demonstrations, crafts and more. Best of all, kids under 12 are free. The festival crafters' market is a great spot to pick up some unique gifts to help with that upcoming holiday shopping!

Own a horse and looking for some adventure? As part of the annual Harvest Festival, Mullet Hall Equestrian Center offers the Harvest Festival Weekend Trail Ride for horse owners Nov. 2–4. Bring your horse, camping gear, and supplies for two nights of camping and trail riding on 20 miles of beautiful, wooded trails at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center. For more information or to register, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com.

Harvest Festival 2012 takes place on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island. Mullet Hall Equestrian Center is located at Johns Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Rd., off River Road. Admission is $5 per person. Kids 12 and under and CCPRC Gold Pass holders are admitted free. Food and barbeque are available for an additional fee. For more information, please call 795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com/harvest. Brought to you by Piggly Wiggly, Palmetto Brewing and your Charleston County Parks.

Music Schedule

  • 12 p.m.: Roger Bellow and the Traveling Troubadours
  • 1 p.m.: Yeehaw Junction
  • 2 p.m.: Blue Plantation
  • 3 p.m.: Southern Flavor Bluegrass
  • 4 p.m.: Blue Stone Ramblers

Visit www.ccprc.com/harvest for updates