Inaugural Bluffton Buzzard Day, March 5

Leave it to Babbie Guscio, who so rightly is on the Wall of Honor in the Town of Bluffton, to come up with yet another eccentric event. She is one of the most creative people I know and wakes up every morning thinking of unique events for our town. She started the Bluffton Village Festival, or as I like to call it “Mayfest,” and after our beloved Oscar Frazier passed away, she wanted to spearhead the Bluffton BBQ Festival. So, of course, when she called me recently, I knew her head was spinning on something new to do in the town.

Bluffton Buzzard Day will take place on its inaugural date, March 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Martin Family Park. This will be a fun day, totally focused on our young residents and families. Our very own Jevon Daly, a well-known entertainer, took the challenge of writing a buzzard song, which he will perform along with some young Bluffton buzzards. There will be a pin the feathers on the buzzard game, A Bluffton buzzard strut contest, dress like a buzzard contest and a Bluffton buzzard picnic. If your interest isn’t piqued yet, I would suggest you make your way to Historic Bluffton on this day and take a look.

By now you must be wondering why. Here is a little background. In 1985, when George Heyward was mayor of Bluffton, he proclaimed the buzzard as the town bird. He rode in the Christmas parade on top of a garbage truck in a buzzard costume to declare this new honor. The story I have been told regarding the selection of our town bird was that a resident who lived near the Oyster Factory had sued Heyward personally for working with the native business to open and stated that the factory was a nuisance and drew buzzards. To make a point, Heyward then proclaimed the buzzard the town bird and went as far as to get stationery printed to show this.

Mayor Heyward did so much more than be our mayor for eight years, as he was a teacher and has worked with hundreds of young people during his career. He loves Bluffton, and pluff mud is in his veins. So, it is quite appropriate to have residents learn a little about Bluffton’s past before anyone knew much about the town. Google Heyward, and you will find interesting articles on his life and his family—just another reason we live and breathe a state of mind.