ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - Isle of Palms had their annual Front Beach Fest on Saturday.
The popular annual event marks the unofficial start of tourist season.
Ocean Boulevard was alive with music and laughter as a large crowd of locals and visitors gathered for the festival.
Festivalgoers had the chance to enjoy food, shop from local vendors, and listen to live music.
Isle of Palms Recreation Supervisor Kelsey Marsh said the event takes around six months to plan. This year, he said they sifted through more than 200 vendor applications.
“We have 54 vendors. We fit as many local vendors as we can. We like to have restaurants all out here. They don’t have as much business in the offseason, so this is a great way for them to kick off their busy season,” Marsh said.
He said area businesses greatly benefit from the festival, especially during the slower off-season months, and the beach fest acts as a vibrant kickoff to the bustling tourist season.
City Councilman Rusty Streetman said the event festival greatly benefits local businesses and restaurants, especially during the slower off-season months.
He said the fest is like the unofficial kickoff for the busy and vibrant tourist season imminently approaching.
“It’s at a time of the year when we don’t have summer tourists. So, it’s here in our shoulder season so that people that typically would not be at Front Beach this time of the year have an opportunity to come out here and enjoy themselves,” Streetman said.
With a large crowd of attendees, Streetman said both residents and visitors are clearly eager for the upcoming hustle and bustle that the sunshine-filled season brings.
“Being able to be with our neighbors who live on the island, being able to greet people who do not live on the island and also welcome them. Just the whole crowd, the music, the food, the whole vibe is just very positive,” he said.
For others, the festival offers a valuable opportunity to raise awareness for their charity and showcase the pups they’re working hard to find loving homes.
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One organization that had a table set up at the festival is called Rosie Rescue, a Mount Pleasant-based non-profit dedicated to rescuing dogs from euthanasia lists at overcrowded shelters.
“I think a lot of times, some rescue dogs and shelter dogs get a bad rep,” Rose Rescue volunteer Lisa Cates said. “When they’re out mingling among everybody, you really get to see their personality, how friendly they are, how amazing they are. I mean, we’ve got dogs here that are just suckering everybody in. It really just shows their personality that you don’t get to see if you just go to a shelter and are walking through the kennels and everything. It’s really good exposure for them.”
Cates mentioned that there were numerous inquiries about the dogs available for adoption, highlighting the event’s success in connecting people with these lovable pups.
For resident Mark Behan, Front Beach Fest was his first outing since moving to Summerville from New York.
“I feel like I’m on vacation every day, and that’s why I love living here. I feel like I’m not miserable when I wake up and it’s not 10 degrees, and I can wear a T-shirt every day, and it’s great. Vacation vibes,” Behan said.
Front Beach Fest organizers said the event gets bigger and bigger every year.
While many are soaking up the vacation-like atmosphere, restaurant employees are also getting a taste of summer, as the festival signals the return of a busier work season for local staff.
With something for everyone, the festival not only brought the community together but also marked the perfect start to the busy season.
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