The irony behind the fact that I sit here writing this piece looking out a window onto a winter wonderland is not lost on me. Winter Storm Enzo just rolled through our region. leaving behind – in most cases – a beautiful blanket of snow to see and enjoy for a day or so.
Most of us made our way outside for a rare winter frolic or slide down a slope. Meanwhile, those of you who thought you had left this behind just had to deal for a couple of days. The good news is, this only happens twice or so per decade, not per month.
Two days of treacherous travel conditions is enough to make a Southern belle cry “Uncle” and beg for a spring thaw. I don’t think they are alone. A couple of days are not only enough, but a decent reminder of some of the reasons why we live here in the first place.
The good news is, we are unlikely to see anything like Winter Storm Enzo again this year. Lord, I hope not, anyway. We can get on with what it is that we do around here in February, and that’s start making our way back outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.
That’s where this discourse intersects with the Hilton Head Seafood Festival, my favorite event of the year on the island, to be held February 17-23. Correct me if I am wrong, but it is also one of the most popular.
Once again, the stage is being set to not only offer attendees some of the best culinary experiences this island offers, but also, importantly, to raise a significant amount of money for area charities. Raising money for the David Carmines Memorial Foundation is the whole reason this event was put together once upon a time in the parking lot at Hudson’s Seafood. The old timers remember.
Saturday’s main event at Honey Horn is one of the island’s finest celebrations of the year, with live music, great food and drink, and a beautiful afternoon. Equally as important, and I stress it every year, is the Friday night Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast. Most years it is the first to sell out – as the locals know. Most of the tickets for that get snapped up in the fall as soon as they are made available. It is one of the most beautiful events of the year, with the Friday night event at Concours d’Elegance giving this one a run for its money. It’s well worth looking into.
Thursday night’s Zero Forks Given in the courtyard at the Omni Beachfront Resort is another favorite. At press time, tickets remain available for that one.
A new event this year is Asado by the Sea, a beachside grill fest being held at the Beach House Resort at Coligny Circle. If we can steal a beautiful evening back from Mother Nature, this will be the most under-the-radar event of the week. It is being held on Wednesday night, February 19.
Beyond that, there are master classes to teach knife skills, and there are small, intimate tasting events, and the annual Sunday morning “Kegs and Eggs” at Lincoln and South Brewery. Very obviously, there is something for everyone that week, in all kinds of price ranges.
If you can’t tell, I look forward to this week every single year. It not only gives me an opportunity to spend the better part of a week on the island, but it has also begun to serve as my “green flag” on the spring season. I cannot wait.
Now if you will excuse me, I’m going back to my window to watch the neighbor trying to shovel snow off of their front steps with a plastic dustpan.
Thanks, Enzo. Be a stranger, why don’t ya.
