Holiday happenings are already coming quickly down the pike, and it's not too early to be thinking about Thanksgiving dinner. Speaking of food, there are a couple high profile events this weekend that promise to be family friendly, fun and delicious. As I mentioned in that last blog, food really does play an important part in any family getaway.
Thanksgiving dinner help if you're staying in one of our Isle of Palms vacation rentals
If you don’t feel like cooking Thanksgiving dinner yourself and you want to experience a true holiday feast, Middleton Place Plantation may be just the ticket. They’ll be hosting a Thanksgiving buffet from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 22nd in the newly renovated Pavilion. Here’s what’s on the menu: Smoked Turkey, Carved Prime Rib, Honey Baked Ham, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Carolina Gold Rice Pilaf, Gravy, Seasonal Salad, Cranberry Sauce and Assorted Rolls. Admission to Middleton is included in your reservation, and you can stroll through the gorgeous gardens before and/or after dinner. For reservations, call (843) 266-7477. You can also get their Thanksgiving dinner to go. Get all the details here. Middleton Place is located at 4300 Ashley River Road, a scenic drive from our beach rentals Charleston. Note: they’ll also be hosting a holiday market on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, with a couple dozen local artisans and vendors. Admission is not required to shop the market.
Then there's Home Team
If you’d like a takeout option on the islands, you’re in luck. Home Team BBQ is offering holiday catering items to help round out your Thanksgiving dinner table. In addition to their great regular menu, they now have special holiday items: smoked ham & turkey (by the pound), potato gratin, rolls, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, Hoppin’ John, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and cornbread stuffing. They will even deliver to your place. Just call them at (843) 225-7427 to order. They ask you do so 72 hours in advance. You can also pick up your food at their Sullivan’s Island location, across Breach Inlet from the Isle of Palms. It’s located at 2209 Middle Street.
Eat Chili, Help Animals
The weather has turned a little toward the cool side (finally), perfect for eating chili. Tomorrow (Saturday, November 17th) is the Charleston Animal Society’s biggest single fundraiser of the year. In fact, it’s the largest nonprofit animal welfare event in the entire state of South Carolina. It’s the Charleston Animal Society's 19th annual Chili Cook-Off and Oyster Roast. Over 100(!) teams will compete for the coveted best chili award. Many include mayors and other local celebrities. This event has grown over the years and now is located at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. They’ll be judging in different categories like Traditional, Unique, and Best in Show. There will also be fresh steamed oysters (a Lowcountry staple), live music, a beer garden, cornhole, kids’ zone, and pets available for adoption. All proceeds go toward Toby’s Fund - the shelter’s medical fund to treat injured or sick animals. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the gate, free for kids under 10, and for dogs. VIP tickets are $75 and include a lot of perks. The fun takes place from noon - 4:00 p.m. tomorrow Here’s a link to the official website, where you can also buy tickets online, or donate toward a certain team.
Grab Some 'cue at Smoke on the Harbor
Don’t worry if you see or smell smoke on Charleston Harbor this weekend. It’s not a fire... it’s the Smoke on the Harbor Barbecue Throwdown, now in its seventh year. SOTH a fully sanctioned national event, under the auspices of the KCBS (Kansas City Barbecue Society). These pit masters are serious, hard-core men and women who have their eyes on the BBQ prize… and you get to be the lucky beneficiary. The competition cranks up tonight with the chicken wing competition, skeet shooting and live music from Tyler Boone going on from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The fun happens at the Lookout Pavilion at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina - 20 Patriot’s Point Road in Mount Pleasant. Then tomorrow (Saturday, November 17th), from 1:00-4:00 p.m., it’s the BBQ competition. Get set for world-class pork, ribs, brisket and chicken, all to sample, along with: There’ll be all sorts of samples as well as:
- Plenty of other food and drink available for purchase;
- Live music;
- Vendor village;
- Bartender mixology competition (the Iron Bartender George Dickel Mixology Competition);
- Kids’ zone:
- Food drive benefiting East Cooper Meals on Wheels.
Tickets are $10 general admission, although if you bring five non-perishable food items to be donated, you’ll get $5 off at the gate. Sampling tickets are two for $1. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. These folks didn’t come to play. Here’s the official website, which includes the final points results from previous years. Teams get pretty creative with their names, like Pig on Fire, Blowin’ Smoke, 99 Problems But a Brisket Ain’t One, Bunch of Dumbies, Cackalacky Que, Tom Tom Bob A Que. Here’s their website with a full schedule of events. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Towne Centre's Lighting Up
Tomorrow night, November 17th, be sure to check out Towne Centre in Mount Pleasant. It’s just over the IOP Connector from your luxury house on Isle of Palms. They’ll be officially launching the holiday season with their Lights Up event, from 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Get set for a holiday laser light show, live performances, special giveways, the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree, and an appearance by Santa himself. The festivities are based in front of Belk’s, located at 1218 Belk Drive in Mount Pleasant. Here’s more. Whew, that’s a lot going on this weekend. So check some of them out. And remember to call EP when you are searching for the best vacation rental in these parts. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger