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Are you looking for some family fun this St. Patrick’s Day weekend? You’re in LUCK! Charleston has some awesome options!
Charleston’s St. Patricks Day Parade kicks off with thousands of participants and watchers at 10:00 am sharp at King and Radcliffe Streets. The Parade proceeds down King to Broad with the conclusion at the Cathedral of St. Johns. Celebrate with Metro Charleston’s schools children, step dancers, fiddlers, fire trucks, military units, local pro team mascots and some of the Lowcountry’s most famous Irish residents.
Also Saturday morning, Tiedemann Park Nature Center is hosting “Naturally Green” from 10am-11:30am. All participants will have the opportunity to make a clover potter while learning all about St. Patrick. Some of the nature center’s inhabitants will also make an appearance. Come join the St. Patrick’s Day fun! THIS IS A FREE EVENT!
The Gaillard Education Initiative hosts Good Night Moon and The Runaway Bunny on Saturday at 11am. Whimsical puppetry and evocative original music will bring these much-loved classics to life. Tickets range from $6-$20 and can be purchased at ticketing@gaillardcenter.org.
Wishing your family a fun-filled St. Paddy’s Day!
My husband and I have been together forever. We’ve had the luxury of growing together in Charleston through our 20’s, 30’s and now into our 40’s.
From time to time, we’ll stroll down a cobblestone street, pass by an old-school hangout, or encounter a blast from the past that reminds us of those early days. John Cusatis is one of those reminders.
Back in the late 90’s, we often used to meet our crew of friends for happy hour at one of our favorite spots. On a sunny spring afternoon, we were piled around a table on the patio of Charleston Pizza Kitchen, enjoying our time together and the dollar beers.
John Cusatis set up his equipment nearby, and began to perform for a growing crowd of 20-somethings. As the evening progressed, John pulled out a collection of instruments for the peanut gallery, including washboards, maracas, tambourines, cowbells, kazoos, etc. This girl loves a tambourine and about every song on his playlist. What a fun night!
Fast forward a decade or two… John Cusatis continues to play throughout Charleston and still brings along instruments for audience participation. He is incredibly philanthropic, so often donates his time and talent to serve our community.
You can find John this weekend, strumming at the 9th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic at Hampton Park. Other activities include face painting, seed planting, cookie decorating, crafts and hula hooping. The afternoon wraps up with a teddy bear parade.
Families are invited to bring a picnic lunch, blankets and chairs to enjoy an afternoon in the park. Food will be available for purchase from Dish & Design and King of Pops.
The rain date for the event is Sunday, March 15; information will be available on Facebook/Twitter in the case of inclement weather. For more information, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org.
For me, the highlight of the event will surely be my blast from the past, John Cusatis.
If your family has never experienced the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, make this the year! Throughout this weekend, you’ll find engaging activities and events for those who love wildlife and nature. Here are a few FREE family-friendly events…
Birds of Prey Flight Demonstrations- Marion Square- Saturday @ 10:30 and 1:30; Sunday@ 1:00
Litter Trashes Everyone Puppet Show-Marion Square- Saturday @ 10:30, 1:00, and 4:00
Jack Hannah’s Wildlife Presentationi- Gaillard Auditorium- Saturday @ 12:30 and 3:30
Be sure to visit our calendar of events for more details about SEWE and other weekend events!
Elle and I had a few hours to ourselves today, so we decided to do some exploring on Johns Island. Our first stop was the Johns Island Farmer’s Market, open every Saturday from 10am-2pm, on the campus of Charleston Collegiate.
With $10 to spend, Elle browsed the market before settling on boiled peanuts, local bell peppers, and a scrumptious Valentine’s doughnut.
Just around the corner was the Angel Oak Tree park. With her sketchpad in hand, Elle settled into the shade of the majestic oak. The park is the perfect spot for a picnic and is open Monday-Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 1-5. Admission is free.
Our final stop was one of our Johns Island favorites, the public library. The programming at our local branch is awesome and we lucked into a visit from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. A couple of the percussionists spoke about their instruments and then invited children to visit their “Instrument Petting Zoo.” Elle joined kids of all ages in playing a variety of brass, woodwind, strings, and percussion instruments.
A day out with Elle is a rare occasion, so we made the very most of our time together! Thanks, Johns Island, for the memorable day!
I’m not sure how we’ll be able to choose from all of the awesome events scheduled for this weekend! Here are a few of the options…
Join Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry for their first-ever Valentine’s Pajama Party on Saturday from 9 am-11 am. You’ll enjoy breakfast and hot cocoa in your pajamas and celebrate the holiday by decorating treats! You’ll also find a Valentine’s Card-decorating station in the Art Room for your little one to make hand-made cards for all his/her friends (plus some for children at One80 Place, the local homeless shelter).
Breakfast, hot cocoa and make-your-own Valentine’s cards all included in the price – CML Members: $15; CML Non-Members: $20; under 12-months-old always free. Purchase tickets at exploreCML.org/cml-events/valentine-party
Go back in time at Old Santee Canal Park and see what life was like in colonial times on Saturday from 10 am-4 pm. Participate in crafts such as indigo dyeing, basket weaving, and candle making. Listen to authors and guest speakers spin tales about a time long forgotten. Then watch a colonial musket drill take place before your eyes! There will be something for everyone so don’t miss out. The cost is $5 per person. Schedules will be available at the gate house.
Buzzzz into Tiedemann Park on Saturday from 10 am-11:30 am for a morning of Insect Investigation! Participants will get a chance to be a part of a Human Insect Build Activity and possibly hold a HISSER (also known as a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach). Ages 5-10 welcome. THIS IS A FREE EVENT.
On Saturday from 10 am-11:30 am, meet the S.C. Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center manager, Willow Melamet, as she shares what it’s like to take care of some of the most popular animals at the Aquarium. Recommended for ages 6 and up. $5 per participant. Members only event. Reservations are required. To reserve your spot, call (843) 579-8518.
This week’s service event will certainly be a hit with the kids! Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is hosting their very own Valentine’s Pajama Party where guests will have an opportunity to create hand-made cards for children at One80Place, our local homeless shelter.
Your family will also enjoy breakfast treats, hot cocoa, and other fun CML activities in your pajamas. Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets. CML Member: $15;
CML Non-Member: $20; Under 12-months-old: Always Free
If you’re not able to attend the party, but would still like to engage in serving those at One80Place, make your own Valentine’s card station at home and mail your creations to the shelter at P.O. Box 20038, Charleston, SC 29413. Thanks for sharing the love!
We have BIG CHARLESTON FUN on the calendar for this weekend!
Check out some of these events…
CHESS ANYONE?
Come learn to play chess at St. Julian Devine Community Center every Saturday at 9am! Chess involves all levels of critical thinking: knowledge, comprehension, analysis, and evaluation. Pre-registration is required here . THIS IS A FREE EVENT FOR BOYS AGES 8-17.
STEM FOR ALL
The Charleston STEM Festival is a FREE celebration of science, technology, engineering and math in the Lowcountry. This exciting event will take place on February 3, 2018 from 10am-3pm at Brittlebank Park in Charleston, SC and will feature ~80 exhibitors who will provide hands-on activities, live performances, interactive demonstrations, and family-oriented STEM entertainment.
DISCOVER YOUR HISTORY
Join us and research experts at a genealogy workshop at Old Santee Canal Park on Saturday, February 3rd, from 10am-3pm. Learn more about free family history research resources available from the Berkeley County Library System, DAR, and SAR. While you are there, you can tour the park and visit the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center.
For free admission into the park and to reserve a 20-minute one-on-one session with a research expert, you must register online at berkeleylibrarysc.org/tapping Walk-ins are welcome but will have to pay gate admissions to the park ($3 / person). We will have computers available to use on a first-come, first-served basis but we highly recommend attendees bring their own device.
Free with registration. The day of the event is $3 per person
Pre-Registration: berkeleylibrarysc.org/tapping (but walk-ins welcome)
TAKE A HIKE
Experience Hampton Plantation on the ground level! Join a ranger for a 1.1 mile guided hike through the grounds of the plantation from 1pm-2pm on Saturday, February 3rd. This easy hike will take you through 300 years of plantation history. From the construction of massive rice fields by slaves to Archibald Rutledge’s garden, you will learn how the people of Hampton have interacted with the landscape throughout its history. Admission for the tour is $7.50 for adults, $3.50 for children (6-15), and $3.75 for SC Senior Citizens (65+)
CALLING ALL PUP LOVERS!
Join Charleston AnimalSociety and MPTC as we team up to host Pup Bowl on Saturday, February 3 from noon to 3pm near Old Navy.
Pup Bowl is a pet adoption and family-fun day to benefit Charleston Animal Society. Cheer on as the cutest puppies available for adoption will face off in a friendly “football” game. The event will also feature fund-raising for CAS, a Photo Booth provided by King & Fields Studios, bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, caricatures and more!
SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
Want to start off 2018 doing something great for your environment? Join Charleston Surfrider Foundation and the Charleston Running Club at our first Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of 2018 and help us clean all of the trash along the Ben Sawyer Causeway! We are hitting it at low tide (Saturday, February 3rd, from 2pm-4pm) in order to reach all the trash. Please dress according to the weather, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a reusable water bottle. Meet at the parking lot of the Durst Family Medicine on Sullivan’s Island.
HISTORY LESSONS
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site will begin offering a free ranger-led walking tour of the park on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. The program, Places and Spaces, Plantation Lives, explores Lowcountry plantation life through the archaeological remains and plantation architecture of historic Snee Farm.
You can find all of the details for this weekend and others on our Calendar of Events page!
If you’re in search of meaningful ways to engage your children in serving our community, My Sister’s House is a great first step. This organization offers advocacy, counseling, housing, and support for victims of domestic violence.
Our families can help by providing an evening meal for the clients and children in the shelter. We’re asked to contact Ann Jennings or Damitra Hilton at (843)744-3242 to determine a date and location of delivery, and then prepare a meal at home for up to 36 individuals. Invite over some friends to join in, divide the grocery list between you, and spend an evening serving those in need!
As we near Valentine’s Day, our family is celebrating our love for this great city! This month in Charleston, we have some fascinating events and service opportunities. We’ll also honor Black History Month by exploring the cultural and historical influence of African Americans in Charleston.
If you’re looking for a service opportunity for your family, the Charleston Surfrider Foundation is coordinating an Adopt-a-Highway Saltmarsh Clean-up along the Ben Sawyer Causeway on February 3rd from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Participants should meet in the parking lot of Durst Family Medicine on Sullivan’s Island (306 Station 22 1/2 Street). More information is available here.
Also on February 3rd is the Charleston STEM Festival at Brittlebank Park from 10am-3:00pm. This event has something to offer every member of the family and is FREE. There are rows of interactive booths for kids with all types of science, technology, engineering, and math activities. My little VandeWiels still talk about getting to touch a human brain at the festival a few years ago. (Thanks for that memory, MUSC!)
You must check out Incredible Invertebrate’s Day at Tiedemann Center on February 10th! The city’s naturalists have achieved rockstar status among the VandeWiels. They weave interesting facts throughout their presentations and provide opportunities for kids to touch all kinds of awesome creatures. Best of all, this event is absolutely FREE!
Probably this month’s largest event is Southeastern Wildlife Expo on February 14th-18th. There are several ways to engage your children in this weekend. Our family favorites include the Birds of Prey demonstrations and Jack Hanna presentation. Both are FREE events and you can find more information here.
African American Heritage Day at Hampton Plantation promises to be an extraordinary experience for families. If you’ve never made the trek out to this State Park in Awendaw, here’s an unwrapped gift, just waiting to be opened. The rangers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the history of this beautiful property. The event is scheduled for February 24th from 11am-4pm and the cost is $7.50 for children and $15 for adults. Check here for additional information.
This is, by no means, an exhaustive list of February happenings. There are countless other opportunities for your family to explore. Please be sure to visit our calendar of events for a complete listing of February happenings for your little Charlestonians.