South Carolina Oyster Festival

The South Carolina Oyster Festival is Columbia’s largest outdoor oyster roast with more than 10,000 pounds of fresh oysters served steamed and fried. The family-friendly event will feature free children’s activities, live music, food, and drinks. Guests can experience a full day of activities on the historic grounds with oysters by the serving, a variety of foods, soft drinks, beer, and a special wine pavilion. Children can enjoy inflatable amusement rides for a nominal fee and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and strollers. Gloves and oyster shuckers are available for purchase or guests can bring their own.

Entertainment will feature bands on two stages throughout the day. One of Charleston’s favorites, Blue Dogs, will make their third Oyster Festival headlining appearance. The band has been touring and pleasing crowds since the early 90s. Other performances include Woodwork Roadshow, offering a clever presentation of traditional and progressive acoustic music; Tom Hall and the Plowboys, rock with elements of zydeco, folk, and bluegrass with a Cajun flavor; The Blue Iguanas, local Columbia bluegrass traditionalists; Casual Kings, an up and coming rock quartet; and Columbia’s own Danielle Howle, one of the nation’s finest singer/songwriters of our generation. Tickets are available at the Robert Mills House Museum Shop, 1616 Blanding Street; California Chicken Grill, and online at www.etix.com. Advance tickets are $5. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets the day of the show and at the gate are $10. Entry to the festival is located on both ends of Blanding Street bounded by Henderson and Pickens Street, one block from Taylor.