22nd Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival
Bluffton’s connection to the May River, local seafood and the arts will take center stage during the 22nd annual Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival, set for Oct. 9-18.
The 10-day festival will feature art, seafood, live music, history programs, river excursions and family activities at locations throughout Old Town Bluffton. The celebration culminates with the two-day Street Fest on Oct. 17 and 18, featuring a juried fine art show with more than 100 local and regional artists from 10 states.
The festival dates back to 2005, when it began as a one-day event intended to promote community, tourism, local businesses and artists while drawing attention to the May River and Bluffton Oyster Co. It expanded to a weekend in 2006 and became a weeklong celebration in 2007.
This year’s schedule begins Oct. 9 with a Daufuskie Island History & Artisans Tour and the May River Ducks Unlimited Fall Frenzy. The Bluffton State of Mind Supper Soirée follows Oct. 10.
Activities on Oct. 11 include Art in the Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Martin Family Park. The free event will feature original local art displayed at the park and throughout Old Town.
Later that day, the Blessing of the Fleet and boat parade will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. at Wright Family Park, with gospel music by Lavon Stevens. An Oyster Fest follows from 5 to 8 p.m. at Oyster Factory Park, with oysters, a shrimp boil, barbecue and live music by Crosstown Traffic.
Events continue during the week with May River boat tours, oyster farm tours and programs focusing on Bluffton’s waterways and history. An Oct. 12 dinner and educational program at the Waddell Mariculture Center will focus on local waterways. An art exhibit and dinner at Okàn on Oct. 13 will feature Lowcountry artist Amiri Geuka Farris.
“History Alive,” an author program centered on Bluffton’s past, is scheduled for Oct. 14 at the Rotary Community Center. The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra will perform a free Symphony Under the Stars concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Martin Family Park.
The final weekend begins Oct. 17 with the Old Town Oyster Run 5K at Oyster Factory Park. The Street Fest will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the historic district, with artists displaying works that include oils, pastels, acrylics, photography, pottery, ceramics and watercolors. Food vendors will serve seafood and other Lowcountry dishes.
Children can participate in a fishing tournament from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Wright Family Park and art activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DuBois Park. The day concludes with Rockin’ on the Dock from 6 to 9 p.m. at Oyster Factory Park, featuring seafood, roasted local oysters and live music.
Street Fest returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18, with children’s art activities also scheduled at DuBois Park.
Many festival activities are free, while some tours, dinners and other special events require tickets or reservations. A complete schedule, prices and registration information are available at blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org.
