If you were with us last month, then you have no trouble recalling my column that emerged from under four inches of snow. That was particularly brutal for a lot of people in this area. Those of you from “back home” go ahead, get the laugh out. I’ll wait.
What we didn’t know then was the fact that it would take nearly a week from all of that mess to be gone, and even then, it was spotty around town. Suffice to say – as I said last month – we can right well do without another situation like that for another five to seven years, thanks.
This time around, I’m looking out the window at Carolina Coffee & Crumbs at Coligny Circle. Temperatures are hovering in the 40s, and the sun is making random appearances. That’s enough to give us hope for the next couple of days – maybe weeks.
The truth is, my mental checkered flag on winter usually waves on Valentine’s Day every year. Sure, we may get some silly cold temps here and there, but the odds of stealing some actual pleasant weather begins to increase as well – which is good news for the March parade of festivals around here.
WingFest judges pose for a photo with Island Rec Center’s Joe Cain at the 2024 event, held in Lowcountry Celebration Park. From left to right: Jeff Laben, Maggie Washo, Patti DiSilvestre, Joe Cain, Mayor Alan Perry, Dana Millen, Dwayne Tornabene, Bryan Miller and Jesse Blanco.
My personal favorite is Hilton Head Wingfest. For 28 years, the Island Rec Center has been putting on this show, the last few at Lowcountry Celebration Park on the south end. I tell anyone who will give me 15 seconds of their time that this is the best chicken wing event of the year for 100 miles in this area. The cost to get in is nominal ($10 this year) but where else will you find 20-25 of the island’s best chicken wing creations in one place?
I’ve been a judge for this event for nearly a decade, and I can tell you the competition is fierce. That means you can find great wings here. FYI, the admission ticket gets you in, but your wings are sold separately. Wingfest is Saturday, March 22, this year. You can find more info at hiltonheadwingfest.com.
The Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival is celebrating 40 years this year with another week-long set of events in a variety of price ranges.
The other major spring festival on the island officially begins the day after Wingfest. The Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival is celebrating 40 years this year with another week-long set of events in a variety of price ranges. Craft beers on the beach, the Sip and Stroll at Sea Pines, and, of course, the main event, if you will, the Public Tasting at Lowcountry Celebration Park on March 29. My personal favorite event this week is the Grand Tasting, held on Friday night, March 28. There will be some good juice at that party – as you might well imagine. You can find out more about the entire week now at hiltonheadwineandfood.com.
Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held this year on Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. along Pope Avenue.
Of course, a conversation about frolic in March around here is not complete without a healthy nod to the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It will be held this year on Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. along Pope Avenue. That route is about as family friendly and fun as you can imagine it would be.
Like the Wine and Food Festival, this parade is also celebrating its 40th event. Now, 40 years pales in comparison to Savannah’s 201st celebration, but it is fun to know that the Hilton Head parade is the longest-running St. Patrick’s parade in South Carolina. The festivities for the weekend get started on Saturday, March 15, with an Irish concert at the Tiki Hut at The Beach House. You can find all you need to know at hiltonheadireland.org.
Sláinte!
