marion square

Charleston Farmers Market Reopens With Limited Vendors

The Charleston Farmers Market reopened on September 26th at Marion Square.

The farmers market looks different than usual, operating only as an “essentials market” with limited vendors. While all of the farmers and growers have been invited to participate in the market, artisans and prepared food vendors are not allowed to participate yet.

In addition to the limited vendors, there is also a limited capacity and social distancing required of all who attend and participate in the market.

Numerous vendors, who have always relied on the income received at the market, have taken a significant hit due to the pandemic and subsequent closing of the market.

Amanda McLenon, a longtime market vendor, created a petition to get the Marion Square market running again and has over 800 signatures.

“For a while, we understood it wasn’t safe to be there, so we sat back and sacrificed our livelihoods to keep people healthy,” Amanda explained. “But if people are in the bars now, we can certainly be safely open providing local produce and handmade goods outside in Marion Square.”

The Charleston Essentials Market will operate on Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. In addition, the West Ashley Essentials Market will operate on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the West Ashley Greenway.

News

Charleston Museum Will Not Accept the Calhoun Statue

After a unanimous vote between The Charleston Museum Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, the John. C. Calhoun statue will not be accepted into the Charleston Museum. This came as an official statement from the museum late last week.

The reasoning behind its refusal lies in the size of the monument. The size and weight would cause problems for the museum, as there isn’t enough space available. As well as space being an issue, the executive committee claims that he was “not a Charleston figure.” The statue could be added to the museum courtyard, but then it would be returning to another public space.

“While we recognize that John C. Calhoun was a man of significant national historical importance, he was not a Charleston figure and as such his biographical history does not fit in with the Museum’s general purpose and mission of interpreting the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the Lowcountry.,” officials explained.

In late June, Mayor John Tecklenburg announced the figures’ official removal from Marion Square. Several protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement were the push that sparked the relocation of the statue.

It seems the search for a new space to move the monument continues.

Featured

The Can’t Miss SEWE Events This Year

Featured Photo: Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Facebook

Who’s heading out to the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) this weekend in downtown Charleston? Check out these can’t miss events and exhibits.

DockDogs

The top must go to SEWE event every year is the annual DockDogs competition. Dogs of all breeds compete in various water jumping exercises. The three main events are Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. Competitions take place in Brittlebank Park all three days of the expo with the finals taking place Sunday afternoon.

Birds of a Feather Ladies Brunch Benefit

Presented by Norton & Hodges, the inaugural Birds of a Feather Ladies Brunch Benefit will be held at the Francis Marion Hotel on Saturday. The benefit will include a silent auction, unique raffle items, live painting by artist Peggy Watkins and appearances by “feathered friends.” Proceeds benefit the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance.

Lowcountry Social

Dust off your boots for the second annual Lowcountry Social. Enjoy BBQ from world-renowned pit masters, bluegrass music by the fire with the Bluestone Ramblers and an open bar. The event takes place on the water at Brittlebank Park. Invite your friends and celebrate the best of the South. Purchase tickets here.

Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast

Because you can’t have a good Southern event without oysters and a good time. On Friday night head out to the Charleston Visitors Center Bus Shed for the annual Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast. Enjoy oysters, a Lowcountry cookout, open bar, music and live and silent auctions. Purchase tickets here.

Birds of Prey Flight Demos

Presented by BP America, check out one of the most educational and entertaining shows during SEWE. Attendees can see amazing flight demos up-close by a variety of raptors including falcons, eagles, owls, and hawks and learn about the important role they play in our eco-system. Demos happen in Marion Square throughout every day of the festival.

For more information on the festival and events visit, www.sewe.com.

Guest Columns

Right Now Is The Best Time To Check Out Charleston’s Farmers’ Markets

Featured Image Credit: Charleston Farmers Market

As summer comes to an end, so do all the outdoor festivities, except for one: farmers markets! You can find a farmers market throughout the fall downtown, in West Ashley, and on John’s Island. We think this is the BEST time for Charleston Farmers’ Markets. The air is a little cooler, all the kids are back in school and a table that was once full of watermelon and strawberries is now piled high with pumpkins and squash.

These farmers markets include products from farmers & growers, food vendors, and artisans & crafters. While beach days might come and go now until November, you can count on a Saturday morning in Marion Square or Wednesday afternoon in Ackerman Park to enjoy the local market.

Marion Square holds their farmers market every Saturday from 8am-2pm. They also extend it a few days as the months get colder, check out the website for details. The West Ashley Famers Market is held every Wednesday from 3-7pm and a few Sundays throughout the months of October and November. For more information, click here. The John’s Island Farmer’s Market is open year-round on Saturdays from 9am-1pm at 2024 Academy Road, Johns Island.

Charleston farmers markets are always a good time to shop around. Food trucks and stands are usually incorporated throughout to make it a pleasant time to spend the afternoon. There are always local fresh fruits and vegetables with local food to eat while shopping.

A few of the fan favorite purchases include fresh fruit & veggies, jam, pasta, jewelry, and meat. It is a good environment to spend with the family or feel free to set out alone! You can find local art and jewelry to buy to wear or gift while eating your favorite southern dishes. The Charleston farmers market is not something to miss out on whether it is to shop for fresh products, spend the day enjoying some good food, or appreciating some fine arts & crafts.