Plus, what to pack in your beach bag.
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Today’s Forecast

57° | Sunny | 7% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:21 a.m. | Sunset 5:27 p.m. | High tide 1:30 p.m. | Low tides 7:39 a.m. + 7:55 p.m.

 

⚓ Anchors away

Guide to the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival

Peep this Shem Creek shrimp boat. | Photo by @flashlightpowder
The 2023 Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival returns this weekend to celebrate the fishing and shrimping industry in Mount Pleasant. We’ll toast to that.

Held at Memorial Waterfront Park on Sunday, April 30 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., this free event will feature a boat parade, live music, a craft show, a shag dance competition, and a shrimp eating contest. The festival also includes a ceremonial blessing of the fleet, aka the shrimp + fishing boats.

Bring your appetite for seafood and other bites from local vendors including Gilligan’s, Not Just Franks Cafe, Mazyck’s Grille, and Graze.

Each year, festival proceeds are donated to local nonprofit organizations. This year’s beneficiaries are Camp Rise Above as well as the Wayne Magwood Memorial Sculpture, which will be placed on the Shem Creek pedestrian bridge.

Let’s dive into the history. In the 1930s, Captain William C. Magwood brought shrimping to Shem Creek. A bridge was built over the creek in 1937, and decades later the first shrimp dock was added. A thriving seafood industry grew around Shem Creek, which helped attract tourism and hospitality to the area.

Enjoy the festival, Charleston. Pro tip: Parking is limited at Memorial Waterfront Park, so take a free shuttle.
Asked

Seafood lovers, which dish floats your boat?


A. Shrimp
B. Oysters
C. Crab
D. Flounder
Pick your favorite
 
Events
Tuesday, April 25
  • Charleston RiverDogs vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 7:05 p.m. | The Joe, 360 Fishburne St., Charleston | $8+ | It’s Dog Day at the Joe — bring your furry friend and enjoy $2 hot dogs and beers while you cheer on the RiverDogs.
Wednesday, April 26
  • Park & Grove Spring Market | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 5-8 p.m. | Park & Grove, 730 Rutledge Ave., Charleston | Free | Shop this pet-friendly local vendor market and enjoy live music and an outdoor bar.
  • April Omakase Dinner | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Blu Oyster Sushi + Seafood, 1804 Crowne Commons Way, Johns Island | $110-$150 | Indulge in five off-menu creations followed by dessert with an optional sake pairing.
Thursday, April 27
  • Gibbes on the Street | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 8 p.m. | Gibbes Museum, 135 Meeting St., Charleston | $200 | Celebrate the power of art under the stars with live music, dancing, an open bar, and food during Art Charleston.
  • Paint and Sip Night: Historical Female Painters | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St., Charleston | $45 | Over a glass of wine and bites, use the techniques of historical woman painters to recreate your own masterpiece.
  • 6-Course Wine and Chocolate Pairing | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | The Wine Shop of Charleston, 3 Lockwood Dr., Ste. 202A, Charleston | $90 | Learn about chocolate and enjoy curated wines at this signature event during Charleston Cocktail Week.
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Giveaway

Good news for locals

CHS-Nextdoor-FeatureImageNoCTA-970x545.png
Get ready to share good news for a chance to win $500 cash | Graphic provided by 6AM City
Did you know you have until next Monday to share good, local news with your neighbors on Nextdoor and be entered for a chance to win $500 in cold hard cash?

The road to possibly winning the cash is simple:
  1. At the top of all of our articles, there are buttons to easily share stories, and we’ve recently added a button to share on Nextdoor.
  2. After clicking the icon, you’ll either log in or create a new Nextdoor account.
  3. Create a post using your favorite CHStoday article with a caption for your community.
  4. Once you are happy with your post, click “POST” and you will be entered to win $500 automatically.
  5. Respond with likes + comments
  6. You can share as many articles as you’d like, just as long as you believe they will benefit your neighborhood!
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 10 in our newsletter and social channels. There’s no limit on the number of entries for the contest. The selected winner will be someone who shares a story that receives a lot of engagement (likes, comments, and shares) on Nextdoor.

Read full eligibility and giveaway terms here.
Get started
News Notes
Civic
  • The SC Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Tourism awarded Charleston County Parks a $200K grant. The funds will go toward a $400K improvement project at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site on James Island including painting and repairs. (WCIV)
Job
  • The City of Charleston is hosting a free job fair tomorrow, April 26 at the Gaillard Center, 12-4 p.m. The city has over 80 full-time and part-time openings + summer internship opportunities. Pro tip: Grab free two-hour parking vouchers at the registration table. Register for the fair.
Cause
  • Charleston Moves has dedicated May as Mobility Month, amplifying the call for a walkable and bikeable community. The nonprofit is holding six events next month to promote safe and equitable roads.
Biz
  • The Walmart on North Main Street in Summerville is slated for updates including a new vision center, new shopping carts with cell phone holders, and new flooring. The store is expected to remain open during renovations, which may be completed by fall. (The Post and Courier)
Award
  • Historic Charleston Foundation has announced this year’s Charter Day award winners, recognized for major contributions to local historic and cultural preservation. Register for the awards ceremony on Thursday, April 27.
Legacy
Ranked
  • Travel + Leisure magazine named Emeline, a boutique downtown hotel, on its 2023 T+L 500 list of the best hotels in the world. The full list is featured in the May 2023 issue the magazine, on shelves now.
Charlestonian
Featured Deal
  • Calling all parents: Did you know Bach to Rock offers birthday party packages for all ages? Pro tip: Use promo code BDAY23 by May 1 to receive 15% off any party scheduled before the end of the year.*
Wellness
  • In a world where prescription meds seem to be the only option, Thesis helps thousands of people improve cognitive functioning and eliminate distractions with natural adaptogens. Take their three-minute quiz to find your personalized blends — then get 15% off your order with code 6amcity.*
Drink
Kids
  • Two words: free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling everyday this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.
Outdoors

What’s in your beach bag?

What should be in every Charlestonian’s beach bag?

CHStoday sunset beach
New color palette unlocked. | Photo via CHStoday team
You know the drill: digging through scratched sunglasses, worn out flip flops, and dusty mints at the bottom of your bag. With readers’ help, we put together a list of CHS beach bag essentials to give your bag the ultimate revamp.

Sunscreen

Preferably not expired — yeah were looking at you old Banana Boat from 2010. We like the selection at McKevlins.

Sunglasses

Make sure to protect your eyes from that South Carolina sun + support local business while you’re at it.

Bug spray

This was one of the biggest suggestions from our readers when asked about Charleston life hacks.
  • “Keep bug spray wipes in your purse for the noseeums.” — Michelle B.
  • Mission Essentials (local co) bug spray on hand at all times.” — Traci E.

Odds and ends

  • Towels: Always keep an eye on your towels. Tides change quickly and we have had one too many get drenched.
  • Baby powder: One of our favorite hacks to get off that pesky, sticky sand.
  • Speaker: No Lowcountry day is complete without Darius Rucker playing.
The Wrap
 
Tatum Jacaruso in a purple shirt

Today’s edition by:
Tate

From the editor
Hey y’all, Saturday’s storm was pretty intense (take a look at this drone footage on Instagram). Pack your rain boots and umbrella in the car because we’ve entered thunderstorm season in the Holy City.
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