FOCUS: Two local harvest festivals set for coming weeks

Photo courtesy of the City of North Charleston.

Staff reports | You know that Halloween is around the corner with the approach of local harvest festivals.  Two are on the way — North Charleston’s on Oct. 20, followed by a similar event Nov. 3 by Charleston County Parks at the Johns Island County Park.

North Charleston event set for Oct. 20

North Charleston’s 6th annual Harvest Festival will feature live musical performances, an artist market, costume contests, trick-or-treat on the street, a pop-up pumpkin patch, children’s activities, and more.  The fall festivities will take place in the Olde Village of North Charleston, located on East Montague Avenue near Park Circle, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 20. Admission and parking are free. East Montague Avenue will close to vehicular traffic from Jenkins Avenue to Virginia Avenue at 2 p.m.  and remain closed for the duration of the event.

The celebration includes live music by ultimate 80s rock band The Spazmatics and singer-songwriter Lindsay Holler. The Kid’s Zone offers a craft activity led by the City’s artist-in-residence Quintin Chaplin, carnival games, face painting, drumming with RBM African Drum and Dance, interactive bubble and hula hoop play with Good Clean Fun, and a variety of inflatables. An artist market featuring local artists, crafters, and makers will line two blocks of East Montague Avenue, along with a few festive treat vendors. In addition, many of the restaurants in the Olde Village will offer food and drink specials.

Other highlights include trick-or-treating on the street with free treat bags for kids age 12 and under; a pop-up pumpkin patch with on-site decorating stations; a mechanical bull, a fall-themed photo op, and costume contests with prizes for children, adults and pets. For information on additional programs and events, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website at www.northcharleston.org.

County’s Nov. 3 event offers bluegrass and barbecue

Charleston County Parks will host a traditional Southern fall shindig with its 17th annual Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Johns Island County Park.

The Harvest Festival is perhaps known best for its foot-stompin’ showcase of Charleston’s own bluegrass talent. Performing throughout the day will be five bluegrass bands. This year’s lineup will feature entertainment from local performers Roger Bellow and the Drifting Troubadours, Marshgrass Mamas, Gravel Road, Yee Haw Junction and River Boy.

No Harvest Festival is complete without a feast! Plenty of food will be available for purchase, including Southern barbecue, roasted and boiled peanuts, kettle korn and traditional favorite festival fare, plus cold beverages. After feasting and dancing, festival-goers are invited to stop by the festival crafters’ market to get a jump on holiday shopping.

Families will find plenty to keep the kids occupied including hay rides, a stick pony corral, pumpkin decorating, penny diving and more. This year’s Harvest Festival will also feature a youth Archery Turkey Day Shoot! Turkeys will not be harmed in this competition, but the winning archer will take home a frozen turkey. The showdown is open to ages 8-17, and turkeys will be awarded to the male and female competitor with the highest score. Interested competitors can sign up at the event. Or, ages 8-17 can also just try out archery between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the event without competing. All activities are free with the festival admission fee.

Admission is $8 per person. Kids 12 and under and Gold Pass holders are admitted free. Food and beverages available for additional fees. For more information, call 843-795-4386, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.

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