2024 Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival

The highlight of the festival is Street Fest. The 2024 Street Fest will be held on Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th.

It includes a juried fine art show featuring over 100 artists from ten different states displaying and selling art, delicious food provided by the area’s premier culinary spots, along with great music and entertainment.

2024 Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival EVENT SCHEDULE

Bluffton State of Mind Supper Soirée
October 12th, 2024, 6:00 pm
Calhoun Street Historic Downtown Bluffton
Cost: $150.

Eat in the street for a 4-Course Dinner with music and wine, all served in the center of Historic Calhoun Street by local chefs. Enjoy a night under the stars!
$150 per person; limited to 120 attendees.
Tickets will be available starting September 1, 2024, at 9:00 am

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Art In The Park- A Celebration of all Things Local
October 13th, 2024, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Martin Family Park
Cost: Free

Stroll Old Town Bluffton and see our state-designated cultural district come alive! POP UP ART on gallery lawns, on gallery porches, and in Martin Family Park – temporary art displays join the many galleries to highlight the artistic and cultural side of Bluffton. A celebration of exceptional handmade, original local art, including oil and acrylic paintings, pottery, and much, much more. Art Exhibits, Music by Pete Carroll, and more in Old Town Bluffton.

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Blessing Of The Fleet, Boat Parade
October 13th, 2024, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wright Family Park 
Cost: Free

GOSPEL MUSIC Wright Family Park 4:00 PM
Bring your lawn chair, view the Boat Parade and enjoy Gospel music by Lavon Stevens on the bluff in Wright Family Park or join the parade in your own boat. Make plans to gather at the sandbar before 3:00 PM and process to the Public Dock (end of Calhoun Street) in Wright Family Park following our Admiral of the Fleet, Linda Toomer.

Lavon Stevens is known for his soulful jazz, contemporary and blues music. A native of Savannah, Ga. Lavon began singing and playing piano at the age of 7. He began performing in local groups across the Southeast at thirteen. His first instrument was the violin. He later studied voice and piano at Dekalb College in Atlanta, Ga., from 1979 to 1983.
He has traveled and performed all over the country including Aspen, Co., Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla. The resort vacation destination of Hilton Head Island, SC has been his home since 1981. He is one of the premier entertainers in Hilton Head Island, SC. Lavon is affiliated with BMI as a Publisher/Songwriter.

He serves on the board as a member of The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and is one of the music producers for The Native Island Gullah Festival. He is very active with The Junior Jazz Foundation at The Jazz Corner and he is also a member of the Circle of Songs organization. His CD “I See Love” was released in 1996 and features all original compositions. He is producing a variety of shows and recording projects including other R&B, Jazz, and Gospel artists.

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Oyster Fest
October 13th, 2024, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oyster Factory Park

First Oyster Roast of the Season ($20 for a bucket of oysters), Shrimp Boil & BBQ, Live Music by Crosstown Traffic.

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May River Boat Tour Starting Monday and running through Sunday
October 14th – October 20th, 2024, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Calhoun Street Dock
Cost: $35.00

Monday, October 14th, 2024 through Sunday October 20th, 2024
Join Capt. Chris and his crew for a one-hour guided “Skiff” cruise on the May River, searching for local wildlife, discussing history, and soaking up the tidal estuary air. $35/ per person (subject to availability). All trips leave on the hour every hour from the public dock at the end of Calhoun Street in Wright Park. Please call Capt. Chris, for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878

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Dinner & Learn Cherish our Waterways
October 14th, 2024, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Waddell Mariculture Center
Cost: $45/Per person

TOUR OF WADDELL MARICULTURE CENTER
Tours are available at 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 6:00 PM,
21 Sawmill Creek Road, Bluffton. Only closed-toe shoes.

Reservations required. $45/per person. Proceeds to Waddell Mariculture Center. To make your reservation: blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org

Tour the Waddell Mariculture Center, view the updated facilities, and learn from Director Erin Levesque how important this research facility is to our area and our resources. The tours will be given at four times, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm followed by dinner at Toomers Bluffton Seafood Restaurant, 27 Mellichamp Drive, Historic Downtown Bluffton. The dinner buffet includes Gumbo 2 Ways (chicken and seafood), Caesar salad, cornbread, cookies and tea. Beer, wine and cocktails will be available for purchase. During dinner a presentation will be given concerning preservation of our natural resources by Al Stokes, former director of Waddell Mariculture Center and Kim Jones, TOB.

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May River Oyster Farm Tour with May River Excursions- Tuesday
October 15th, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Calhoun Street Dock

Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.

Enjoy a rare opportunity for an up-close-and-personal experience with May River Oyster Company’s pioneering oyster farm in collaboration with the Bluffton Seafood Festival and May River Excursions. This 2 hour in-depth tour brings you out to a working oyster farm where the farmers demonstrate the techniques and methods used to produce some of the best oysters in the world. Afterward, enjoy lunch at Bluffton Seafood House in Historic Downtown Bluffton. Limited availability. $115.00 per person (includes lunch at Toomers Family Seafood Restaurant).
Call 843-304-2878 to reserve or online here.

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Author Night
October 16th, 2024, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park
Cost: $15

5:30 pm hors d’oeuvres, 6:00 pm showtime
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by Southern Spice Catering and Events; 6:00 PM Showtime with Dr. Carolyn Grant, Thomas Barnwell, and Emory Shaw Campbell, the Co-Authors of Gullah Days: Hilton Head Islanders Before the Bridge 1861-1956, at the Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park (11 Recreation Court Bluffton SC 29910). Cost: $15.00; additional donations accepted; proceeds to the Waddell Mariculture Center.
Reservations required: blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org
Tickets are only available online, with no onsite ticket sales. Purchase your tickets here.

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Outdoor Pops in the Park
October 17th, 2024, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Rain or Shine)
Martin Family Park
Cost: Free

Enjoy the sweet sounds of your own Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. This Outdoor Pops concert “under the stars” is FREE for one and all. Bring a blanket or folding chair, a picnic dinner and enjoy your HHSO al fresco. General lawn seating with free admission.

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Red Apron Sips & Seafood Prelude Party at Hewitt Oaks
October 18th, 2024, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hewitt Oaks

Presented and hosted by Hewitt Oaks
Join us for a grand culinary celebration under the stars on the beautiful grounds of Hewitt Oaks. The evening will include sensational Lowcountry dining, savory cocktails, along with contagious excitement with live and silent auctions as we raise money to support our Bluffton neighbors in need. Limited tickets and sponsorships are available and can be purchased online at sipsandseafood.com. All proceeds benefit Bluffton Self Help.
Visit the Bluffton Self Help website here for tickets and more information.

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Old Town Oyster Race & Run
10K Road Race, 5K Run Options
October 19th, 2024  8:00 am – 10:30 am
Bluffton Oyster Factory Park

Join us for a run through Old Town Bluffton with scenic river and marsh views. Compete in a fast-paced 10K or complete the 5K with the entire family! Both events will be professionally timed. Awards presentation and After-Party immediately follows. Music, Mimosas, Cold Beer, Oysters and much, much more!
Late registration packet pick-up on Thursday, 10/17, 4:00-7:00 pm, Wright Family Park, Friday, 10/18, 3:00 pm -5:00 pm, Palmetto Running Company.
Packet pick-up only on Saturday, 10/19, 6:45 – 7:30 am, Oyster Factory Park
Register here.

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Street Fest – Saturday
October 19th, 2024, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Historic Downtown Bluffton 
Cost: Free

Enjoy our juried art show featuring over 100 local and regional artists from 10 different states, displaying an array of fine art: oils, pastels, acrylics, photography, pottery, ceramics, water color and much, much more. Local seafood and low country cuisine served by area restaurants.

Enjoy the delicious seafood and view the outstanding art on the street. Take a break at the Tailgate area and catch up on your favorite team’s game while enjoying craft beer, premium wine, and music.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Favorite bands will entertain on two stages throughout the day.

There will be no parking in downtown Bluffton on Saturday except for the Old Town Oyster Race & Run!

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Rockin’ on the Dock
October 19th, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Oyster Factory Park

Seafood Extravaganza Tasting
Live Music with the Jupiter Coyote
Fireworks at dusk
End the full day with a grand finale
Eat great local seafood and watch the fireworks for a night to remember!

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Street Fest – Sunday
October 20th, 2024, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Historic Downtown Bluffton
Cost: Free

Enjoy our juried art show featuring over 100 local and regional artists from 10 different states, displaying an array of fine art: oils, pastels, acrylics, photography, pottery, ceramics, water color and much, much more. Local seafood and low country cuisine served by area restaurants.

Enjoy the delicious seafood and view the outstanding art on the street. Take a break at the Tailgate area and catch up on your favorite team’s game while enjoying craft beer, premium wine, and music.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Favorite bands will entertain on two stages throughout the day.

There will be no parking in downtown Bluffton on Saturday except for the Old Town Oyster Race & Run!