Get set for a bunch of big activities rolling quickly down the pike, including the 42nd running of the beloved Cooper River Bridge Run. It seems like this coming weekend is just about the most chockablock full of the year, especially considering it’s not even an official holiday. The trick will be deciding how to manage your time so you can experience as much of the fun as possible. Thankfully, the weather this weekend looks to be mild and pleasant. Temps for Saturday should be in the low 60’s, eventually reaching the mid-70’s with cloudy skies. That’s pretty comfortable conditions for running/walking. More about the Bridge Run in a minute.
Tennis, anyone?
Right now we’re in the midst of the primary week of the Volvo Car Open, formerly known as the Family Circle Cup, going on now through Sunday at the Tennis Center on Daniel Island. It’s one of the biggest women’s only tournaments in the world, and the best players are here duking it out. This is the 47th year of the tournament and it’s 19th here in the Lowcountry. The tourney started in 1973 in Hilton Head. The tournament has a new owner, who is making things even more fun and family-friendly than ever. Special events go on each day this week, then this weekend will be the semis and the finals.
Fun's in Full Bloom at Flowertown
Starting Friday morning at 9:00 and running through Sunday is the 47th annual Flowertown Festival, taking place in historic downtown Summerville. The flowers look to be gorgeous, with azaleas, dogwoods and wisteria in bloom. Organizers center the festivities around Azalea Park and Main Street. There you’ll find all sorts of arts and craft vendors (over 200 jury-selected artists), food vendors, rides and fun at the Kids Fest and Children’s Jubilee. This year offers Food Truck Friday and a special Farmer’s Market on Saturday and Sunday. The Southeast Tourism Society has ranked the Flowertown Festival as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast. Check out the official website for more info.
The Biggie, the Cooper River Bridge Run
This Saturday morning, of course, is the Cooper River Bridge Run. Tens of thousands race or walk across the Cooper River from Mount Pleasant into downtown Charleston. Even if you’re not in the race, it’s fun to cheer them on, watch the crazy costumes and world-class Kenyans flying by. As they’ve done in recent years, organizers will line the course with 20 great original bands entertaining and encouraging the runners all the way to Marion Square, site of the post-race party. Believe it or not, 2,500 bands applied for the coveted spots along the route. It's all pulled together by local nonprofit This is Noteworthy. The Cooper River Bridge Run has a tremendous economic impact on the area. So says a recent study led by Dr. Harry Davakos of The Citadel. In a recent year, the Cooper River Bridge Run had a direct impact of $19.2 million. That includes lodging, restaurants and stores. Total impact is $29.6 million. As I covered in this blog, it’s been named as the top tourism event in the state. CRBR events kick off before the weekend, with the Bridge Run Expo running Thursday (noon – 8:00 p.m.) and Friday (8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) at the North Charleston Convention Center. Friday will be the Kids Run/Wonderfest at Hampton Park as well as the Taste of the Bridge Run. Get all the details on the official Bridge Run website.
Cajun Sunday Funday
Mardi Gras is over, but it’s still time to laissez les bons temps rouler, y’all! This Sunday is the 28th annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival. The party happens from noon till 6 p.m. at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive. There will be plenty of authentic Cajun/Creole food, a crawfish eating contest, crafts market and kids carnival. And there’s some of that superfun toe-tappin’ Zydeco music, performed by Randy McAllister and the Scrappiest Band in the Motherland, the Pine Leaf Boys, and Gerard Delafose & the Zydeco Gators. Read more about it here. So if you’re here this weekend, have a great time, and good luck with that time management thing. And as always, remember to call us when you’re in the mood to stay in the very best Isle of Palms luxury rentals. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger