Local Information

Taste and see what the local Charlestonians have to offer! There are always local events to sample Charleston, South Carolina’s best local foods and beverages. Here are just a few coming up:

• Sippin’ Saturdays: This weekly event continues through November 2. Each Saturday from 1 to 5 PM, the winery hosts a different music group and local food vendor. Enjoy tastings in the Firefly Vodka distillery and Irvin-House Vineyard winery. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Admission is free, and tastings cost $6 for Firefly and $4 for wine. Located at 6775 Bears Bluff Road on rural Wadmalaw Island.
• Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Market: Every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM you’ll find seasonal produce, food artisans, and giveaways. Farmers include Freeman

The Spoleto Festival starts this Friday in Charleston! Come check out a few of next weekend’s events:

• Children’s Festival presents Reaching for the Stars: On Saturday, May 25 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Enjoy live music and dance performances, hands-on arts and crafts activities, storytellers, performances by the Seed and Seed Marching Abominable band from Georgia, and more. This is free and is part of Piccolo Spoleto. Marion Square is located at the intersection of Calhoun and King Streets in Downtown Charleston.
• Sunset Serenade Showcases West Side Story: On Sunday, May 26 at 8 PM. The dramatic setting turns the city into a stage as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the CSO’s acting Artistic Director, Yuriy Bekker, performs a concert version

Most people who consider moving to Charleston, South Carolina ask about the cost of living in order to compare our city to where they currently live. When you look at other coastal communities who are also thriving, Charleston’s cost of living is very reasonable. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index compares quarterly relative living costs for middle-management households in the United States’ cities and metropolitan areas. The South Carolina state and local tax burden is significantly lower than the national average for property taxes, sales and use taxes, and individual and corporate income taxes.

Living in Charleston, South Carolina overall is less expensive than the average city or metropolitan area in the United States. When using the 2011 U.S. Cities

One of Charleston’s most popular annual events is coming up soon! From May 24 through June 9, the Spoleto Festival will take place at various venues around Charleston. This is a great opportunity to not only see world renowned artists but also to explore some of Charleston’s proudest and most historic settings such as Dock Street Theatre, Charleston Library Society, the College of Charleston’s President’s house, City Hall, Sottile Theater, Grace Episcopal Church, Gibbes Museum of Art (pictured right), and the Cistern Yard at College of Charleston, just to name a few. You’ll find just about all genres of visual arts to choose from such as opera, jazz, Shakespearean theater, and ballet.

Also, keep in mind that Piccolo Spoleto will be running during

Whether you enjoy food, beer, or wine, Charleston has a festival coming up for you!

• Charleston Greek Festival: Celebrate the music, food, and culture of Greece on Friday, May 10 at 11 AM; Saturday, May 11 at 11 AM; and Sunday, May 12 at noon. You’ll find extra parking with continuous shuttle service to the festival grounds from Joe Riley Stadium. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12 and active military. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is located at 30 Race Street in Downtown Charleston
• Winestock Music Festival: On Saturday, May 11, from 12 to 6 PM, you can experience Irvin-House Vineyards’ version of Woodstock. Guests can enjoy live music, wine and Firefly tastings, food, a Best Hippie costume

Home buyers relocating to Charleston, SC often ask us about the climate of our city. Charleston has a mild year-round climate, so it’s no wonder that it’s becoming the destination of choice for young and experienced professionals as well as college students and retirees. Usually people who have spent any time in Charleston have a difficult time leaving because of the miles of beaches and gorgeous marshes, not to mention the local cuisine rivals that of New York and Chicago. Outside magazine says that Charleston is the best place to live on the East Coast and Bizjournals says that Charleston is a job market leader. There is definitely something for everyone in this lovely southern city.

Springtime brings the surfers out, and the festivals are at

This is going to be a great week to get outside and enjoy our gorgeous weather. Next weekend is supposed to be in the low 70’s! Here are a few upcoming events to consider:

• The Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival: Sunday, April 28 from 11:30 AM to 6 PM. The festival is a free event and features a boat parade and ceremonial blessing of the shrimp and fishing fleet, plus seafood samplings from local restaurants, live music, an arts and crafts show, dancing, shrimp-eating contests, and family-friendly activities. Located at the Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park on Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard (you’ll see the Mount Pleasant Pier pictured, which is part of this park that’s located adjacent to the Ravenel Bridge).

Spring is here, so let’s get outside and enjoy our favorite time of year in Charleston!

• Plow to Chow Cooking Demonstrations: On Saturday, April 13 local restaurants and farmers will offer cooking demonstrations during the Charleston Farmers Market. The Charleston Farmers Market is one of our favorite weekly events. It generally runs until late fall and features fresh local produce, flowers, homemade goods, art, jewelry, and food vendors. This particular cooking demonstration will be free, and you’ll find many other free events and entertainment at the farmers market throughout the year. Marion Square is located at the Calhoun and King Street intersection in Downtown Charleston.
• Founders' Day: Also on Saturday, April 13 from 10 AM to 5 PM,

The Bridge Run and the Family Circle Cup are two of the most popular annual events in Charleston! It is a beautiful time of year to participate in these time honored Charleston traditions:

• Cooper River Bridge Run: On Saturday, April 6, a world-class 10K foot race will take place from Mount Pleasant over the Ravenel Bridge into Downtown Charleston. This year the race will feature 21 bands stationed every quarter of a mile. Whether you are a marathon runner or just like a good walk, thousands of people from all over will come to experience running over Charleston’s iconic bridge. There are generally after parties all over downtown and in Mt. Pleasant where folks fuel back up after sweating it out. Registration is $45.
• Family Circle Cup: If you

Celebrate spring with your family by attending one of the many Easter events held in Charleston, South Carolina:

• Easter EGGstravaganza: Saturday, March 30, 11 AM to 1 PM. Participate in the city's largest egg hunt. There will also be pony rides, a climbing wall, games, prizes, music, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The age range for this free event is 12 and under. Located at Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Blvd in Downtown Charleston.
• Middleton Place Easter EGGstravaganza: Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 AM. Hunt for eggs in the plantation gardens, then take the kids to the Stableyards to be dyed. Children can also play colonial games, participate in the Egg Roll and Egg Toss, hear classic stories, and make Easter crafts. $25/adult, $15/student,