The Hat Ladies of Charleston South Carolina

The Hat Ladies of Charleston South Carolina are a stylish brigade of volunteers who are making a difference in their community and in their own lives. Founded in 2001 by Top Hat, Archie Burkel, a simple love of hats has become a powerful symbol of bringing people together in a spirit of camaraderie and community. The Hat Ladies believe that 'When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you do good'. The Hat Ladies is for you if you love hats of all colors, enjoy making a difference in the community, and want to feel connected to Charleston. For those women who want to wear hats of all colors and do not always have the confidence or occasion to wear them on your own, The Hat Ladies is for you. The Hat Ladies offer women the perfect opportunity to meet Ladies native to Charleston and Ladies who got to Charleston as quickly as they could. With a blend of fashion and compassion, The Hat Ladies are making a very positive impact on the Charleston community.

The Hat Ladies have a strong, positive perspective that permeates their relationships with one another and their reputation. As one hatsister wrote, "Joining The Hat Ladies has been one of the best things that has happened to me. I deeply value our time together and the chance to do goo things". Another said, "I cannot tell you how much I appreciate The Hat Ladies. It's been a monumental lifesaver for me during this first year of relocation & transition from New York to Charleston. Thank you for creating this wonder Hat Ladies Team. How lucky we all are".

The Hat Ladies monthly calendar, know as Hatpenings, includes a Luncheon and a Hatpy Hour. Two volunteer activities are also givens. The first is a hat decorating with the children at the Medical University of South Carolina. The second is a visit to an assisted living facility, where hats and songs are shared with the residents. The rest of the month is spent volunteering for cultural, social, and educational causes. Ladies choose those activities that fit their interest and availability. Of course, their Signature Event is The Hat Ladies Easter Promenade, the Saturday of Easter Weekend. This elegant stroll reflects the charm and grace that is Charleston and resurrects a tradition from the days of yore. Tourists and locals line historic Meeting Street to wave at them, photograph them, and receive 'HaTpy Easter' greetings in return.

The Hat Ladies have taken their love of hats to international levels. Every January they travel to The Romanian Embassy in New York to host The Hats of The World Luncheon for the female ambassadors and officials of The United Nations. With a hat on their head and a smile on their face, the world becomes a better place thanks to the enthusiasm they pull out of a hat.

Wait no longer to toss your hat in their ring! Check out their website www.hatladies.org, and then contact Archie! You will be haTpy you did!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events

Charleston South Carolina April 2012 Events

Charleston, South Carolina is looking forward to a month full of exciting events and unique activities. Whether you are looking for Easter festivities, outdoor recreation, festivals, or theatrical performances, there is an event for you this April 2012 in Charleston, SC. Take a glance at the upcoming events listed below and start making plans today with family and friends! Visiting Charleston from out of town? Take advantage of these special hotel deals so that you can experience all that Charleston, SC has to offer!

Featured Event
Get your tickets today for an evening full of dance entertainment that will support a wonderful cause! The 2012 Oxygen Ball features a gourmet station dinner, live and silent auctions, and the Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars Competition. Save the date for the 2012 Oxygen Ball on April 20, 2012 at 7:00PM. Proceeds will benefit the American Lung Association in South Carolina. 

Easter in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina is always an exciting place to spend the Easter holiday. With egg hunts, egg drops, parades, festivals, and more, there are plenty of activities to choose from that will entertain the entire family. Check out our Easter in Charleston blog entry to see a list of upcoming Easter holiday events.

Performing Arts
Visit the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center to see a spectacular performance of the musical Wicked! Wick is the untold story of the witches of Oz, declared 'Best Musical of the Decade' by Entertainment Weekly. Wicked will be in Charleston from April 19 - 29, 2012, so get your tickets today!

Festivals
Easter weekend is just around the corner and the entire family can celebrate at the Easter Festival at Freshfields Village. Children can enjoy an inflatable slide, jump castle, face painter, and Easter crafts. The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance! The best part? This event is free for all! Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Perhaps you are looking for a festival that allows you to bring your ENTIRE family, including your four-legged, furry friends. How about spending the weekend at the Pet Fest from April 14 - 15, 2012!  Enjoy a full weekend of exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment and more!

Outdoor Recreation
If you like to be outdoors and active, the following events are definitely for you! First up is the 3rd Annual Charleston Bed Race Fundraiser on April 15, 2012. Teams of 5 people will create their own bed and push it on a 100 yard course in Hampton Park against other teams. The following weekend is the Bodhi's Revenge SUP Race scheduled for April 22, 2012 at 8:00AM. This is the Charleston's area first and only SUP surf slalom and Battle of the Paddle style event so register today so that you can be one of the first competitors!

We are looking forward to a month full of exciting Charleston events. Check out our Upcoming Events page for additional events and activities coming up in April 2012. Tell us all about the events that you participate in by posting on our blog and Facebook page. We love to see comments and pictures about these spectacular Charleston events. We look forward to hearing from you!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events

Easter 2012 in Charleston

Let the Easter Celebrations begin! Charleston, South Carolina will be celebrating the Easter holiday all weekend long. The entire family will be entertained by Charleston's 2012 Easter festivities including egg hunts, egg drops, parades, and more. Check out the Easter festivities listed below and let us know how you will be celebrating this special occasion! Visiting from out of town? Stay overnight with one of our hotel partners so that you can enjoy all of these spectacular Easter Events!

Charleston Egg Drop
April 7, 2012 from 10:00AM - 12:00PM
The Charleston Egg Drop is a unique way to celebrate the Easter holiday. Children (ages 2 - 11 years old) will watch from a safe distance as a helicopter releases thousands of candy filled plastic eggs onto a large field already covered with thousands of plastic eggs - over 50,000! Children will then be released to their age appropriate area to gather eggs. Game areas, jump castles, & other activities are provided while waiting for the Egg Drop. The entire event is FREE! Visit the Charleston Egg Drop website for additional information.

Easter Egg Hunt on Isle of Palms
April 7, 2012 at 10:00AM
If Isle of Palms is one of your favorite places to hang out in Charleston, South Carolina, then this Easter celebration is the one for you! Participate in the 2012 Isle of Palms Easter Egg Hunt at the Isle of Palms Recreation Department located at #24 28th Ave, Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Check out the Isle of Palms website for additional information.

Magnolia Plantation Easter Egg Hunt
April 7, 2012 at 11:00AM
Magnolia Plantation will hold a special Easter Egg Hunt on the great lawn of the main house. Children are divided up by ages before the fun begins at 11:00AM. The egg hunt is a free activity with garden admission. Call 843-571-1266 for additional information.

The Hat Ladies Easter Promenade
April 7, 2012 from 11:00AM - 11:30AM
While other cities may hold an Easter parade, Charleston holds an elegant Promenade! Take a curb side seat and wave to The Hat Ladies as they pass by in their Easter Fiery from head to toe, wishing you a HaTpy Easter. This is a FREE Easter event. Don't forget to bring your camera!  Visit their website to learn more about The Hat Ladies.

Easter Brunch
April 8, 2012
Visit some of your favorite Charleston restaurants for a delicious dining experience on Easter Sunday. Participating restaurants include Wild Olive, Slightly North of Broad, High Cotton, and Old Village Post House.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events

Charleston South Carolina 2012 St. Patrick's Day Events

St. Patrick's Day 2012 is just around the corner and so begins the heightened search for four-leafed clovers and a pot of gold! Join us at these exciting St. Patrick's Day events and festivities to celebrate this exciting March holiday. If you are visiting from out of town, take a glance at these special hotel deals from our local hotel partners! We look forward to celebrating with you on March 17, 2012!

Shamrock SUP Race
March 17, 2012 from 8:00AM to Noon
The first annual Folly River Shamrock SUP Race will be held this March 17, 2012 in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Races will include a 10K Elite race, 5K Rec race, and a kids & dog race! The Shamrock SUP Race will benefit Pet Helpers Emerson Rose Heart Foundation. Wear green for your chance to win prizes!

16th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 17, 2012 
Enjoy one of the South's premier St. Patrick's Day celebrations sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the South Carolina Historical Society, and the Knights of Columbus. Following this spectacular parade, visitors are encouraged to sample the food, dancing, and music of the Irish community at many fine Irish themed pubs throughout the area. Click here for additional information.

St. Paddy's Block Party and Parade
March 17, 2012
This 'wee little party' covers three blocks! Enjoy food, music, kids activities and more as we celebrate the 9th annual celebration in Park Circle! East Montague is home to the St. Paddy's Day parade that kicks off at noon. Afterwards, visitors are invited to enjoy the biggest block party in the lowcountry! With two stages of live music, roving performers for the kids, a jump castle, arts and crafts, food vendors, a dunk tank, and more, there is entertainment for the entire family! The party, parade and parking are free! Click here for additional information!

Charleston Restaurants & Pubs
Many of our favorite Charleston pubs and restaurants will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day this year including Tommy Condon's Irish Pub & Seafood Restaurant, O'Brion's pub & Grille, and Madra Rua Irish Pub!

We are looking forward to an exciting St. Patrick's Day celebration on March 17, 2012. Tell us how you will be spending this March holiday! Let us know if we are missing any special St. Patrick's Day events so that we can share them with the local community and visitors from out of town!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events

2012 Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival

'Play Mas' Caribbean Carnival is celebrated with a Carnival Street Parade, often referred to as a 'march'. Many of the Caribbean Islands celebrate Carnival year after year. The largest and most well known celebrations are held in Trinidad, Tobago, New York, and Toronto. In June 2012, you too can participate in this exciting, annual celebration right here in Charleston, South Carolina! Join us for three special days of fun filled festivities during the 2012 Charleston Carifest!

Carifest Symposium
June 14, 2012 from 6:00PM - 9:00PM 
Masquerade Fete 
June 15, 2012 from 7:00PM - Midnight 
Carnival Street Parade
June 16, 2012 at 3:00PM 
Carnival Finale: Caribbean Carnival Celebration in the Park
June 16, 2012 from 2:00PM - 8:30PM 
Carifest After Party at Tropix Bar & Grill
June 16, 2012 from 10:00PM - 2:00AM


The celebration begins on Thursday, June 14, 2012 with the Carifest Symposium at the Avery Institute, College of Charleston. This event is FREE so save the date today. The featured country for the 2012 festival is Jamaica! On Friday, June 15, 2012, the celebration continues with Masquerade Fete, a Mardi Gras party! This dinner & dance fundraiser supports the Carifest Children's Steel Band Project. This event will take place from 7PM - Midnight at the International Longshoreman's Hall which is located at 1142 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC. The price for this event is $40.00 and tickets can be purchased at this website.

Finally, on June 16, 2012, the big event will finally arrive. This day full of fun includes a Carnival Street Parade, a Celebration in the Park, and a Carifest After Party! The parade starts at the Visitor's Center on Ann Street at 3:00PM. Enjoy the splendor of the Caribbean with colourful Revelers in beautiful costumes dancing to the beat of Reggae and Soca music as they make their way through the streets to Brittle Bank Park. If you would like to participate in the parade, you can email info@charlestoncarifest.com. The parade ends at the Carnival Celebration in the Park located at Brittle Bank Park, across from the Charleston Police Station. The Celebration in the Park starts at 2:00PM and ends at 8:30PM. Park Entry is $6.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Children under 12 years old are FREE! Join us at this event to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month. Enjoy cultural festivities including steel bands, Reggae / Soca Music, Caribbean dancers, Indian dancers, Caribbean Food, Drinks, Crafts, and more! As the Celebration in the Park comes to an end, round up your friends and head over to the Carifest After Party at Tropix Bar and Grill. 'Wine down and whine down' with your friends to end this spectacular day of Caribbean festivities. Visit the Charleston Carifest website for additional details about this exciting weekend coming up in June 2012 and get your tickets here.

We hope to see everyone there at this wonderful Charleston event. If you will be visiting us from out of town, we invite you to stay with one of our Charleston SC Events hotel partners. We look forward to your arrival!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events

Charleston South Carolina Valentine's Day Celebrations

Valentine's Day will be here before we know it and we want to make sure that you have something special planned for your loved one. Check out upcoming Valentine's Day events and romantic getaways listed below so that you can begin planning something special for Valentine's Day!

Charleston South Carolina Valentine's Day Events:

Kid's Night Out - No Parents Allowed!
Valentine's Day After Hours Event
February 14, 2012 from 5:00PM - 9:00PM
For the love of parents, bring your kids to CML on Valentine's Day, then treat yourself to a romantic dinner. The Museum will be open on Valentine's Day for fun crafts, activities, games, story time, and dinner in a safe, camp-themed environment. Visit their website for additional details and contact information.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Circa 1886
February 14, 2012
Circa 1886 is a fine dining restaurant located on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion in Charleston, SC. They hold the distinctions of Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond ratings. Join them for Valentine's Day this year and enjoy a six course meal with your loved one. Visit their website for additional details. 

Valentine's Day Beer & Chocolate Pairing at Westbrook Brewing Company
February 14, 2012
Join Westbrook Brewing Company for a beer and chocolate pairing on Valentine's Day. Enjoy Christophe Artisan Chocolates paired with your favorite beers. Cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple. Make your reservation today because spaces are filling up quickly! 843-654-9112


Romantic Getaways near Charleston South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina Romantic Getaway
Visit Riverbanks Zoo, take a stroll along the Congaree River, and enjoy an intimate dinner in the Vista Downtown. Columbia is a spectacular place to spend Valentine's Day with that special someone. After a day full of romantic activities, relax and unwind at the Staybridge Suites. Book their Romantic Getaway Package and enjoy a luxurious hotel suite, chilled champagne, gourmet chocolates, and breakfast for two.

Wilmington, North Carolina Romantic Getaway
Visit this beautiful city along the North Carolina Coast for Valentine's Day. Take a romantic tour of historic downtown and enjoy the beautiful scenery at Wrightsville Beach. At the end of the day, join the Holiday Inn Wilmington and take advantage of their romantic getaway package. Their A Night To Remember package includes a bottle of champagne, a box of chocolates, and breakfast for two in the morning.

Savannah, Georgia Romantic Getaway
Savannah is a beautiful city along the Georgia Coast and is the perfect place to spend Valentine's Day with your loved one. Spend the day on Tybee Island, tour historic downtown, and enjoy dinner for two at one of Savannah's finest restaurants. There are countless romantic activities for you and that special someone to enjoy on this special occasion. Plus, the Best Western Savannah Gateway is offering a special Romantic Getaway Package for only $69.00 per night!

How will you be spending your Valentine's Day this year? If we are missing an upcoming Charleston Valentine's Day event, please send us information so that we can share event details! We hope that you and your loved one have a wonderful time celebrating Valentine's Day 2012!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events

Happy New Year Charleston!

2012 is just beginning and there are already countless exciting events planned for the year ahead in Charleston, South Carolina. We are looking forward to live concerts, sporting events, theatrical performances, holiday festivities, fundraisers, and more that will entertain people of all ages and interests. To find dates, times, details, and more about these upcoming Charleston events, follow along with our blog, website and social media communities. We hope to see you at many of these spectacular events throughout the year!

To kick off 2012, we would like to start by sharing details about the 32nd Annual Charleston Boat Show. This popular Charleston event is scheduled to take place this January at the Charleston Area Convention Center.

32nd Annual Charleston Boat Show
January 27, 2012 from 12:00PM - 6:00PM
January 28, 2012 from 10:00AM - 6:00PM
January 29, 2012 from 11:00AM - 5:00PM
Charleston Area Convention Center
5001 Coliseum Drive
North Charleston, SC 29418

The Charleston Boat Show is the largest boat show and sale in the Lowcountry, featuring hundreds of boats from the area's top retailers. Join us at the Charleston Boat Show to find the latest and best in marine equipment, supplies, and accessories. With demonstrations, coastal cuisine, entertainment, kids' activities, and more, this event will be fun for the entire family!

Special event features include Swamp People, a Wing Eating Contest, a Coastal Fishing Expo, SC DNR's Fishing Simulator, Fish Carvings, Face Painting, and more! Visit the South Carolina Boat Show website for additional details on each of these unique activities and performances.

We hope that you will join us at the 32nd Annual Charleston Boat Show. If you are traveling from out of town for this event, we invite you to take advantage of special discount rates from our local hotel partners! We look forward to seeing you at this Charleston, SC event and at many more to come!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events