Harvest Fest Offers Autumn Fun to Charleston, South Carolina Families

Families of Johns Island and the surrounding Charleston, SC metro can enjoy a day of food, games, music, dancing, and crafts at the Lowcountry Harvest Fest this Saturday, November 1 at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center within Johns Island County Park. Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission hosts the Harvest Festival, whose roots lie in the deep agricultural tradition of Johns Island.

Mullet Hall Equestrian Center at Johns Island County Park is tucked within 738-acres and serves as host site for horse shows, festivals, events, exhibitions, and trail riding. The site also boasts approximately 20 miles of trails winding through southern pines and moss draped oaks, alongside open meadows and farm fields.

Johns Island's well-known fresh produce, Lowcountry barbeque, and kettle corn represent just a few of the traditional country fare available for purchase along with ice-cold beverages.

Children will enjoy fall activities like pumpkin decorating, scarecrow-making. The winner of the pumpkin contest receives a family gold pass from the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission which provides a wealth of benefits including fee admission to local parks and special events. Stick pony corral and lassoing demonstrations are a sample of the fun country games for children to play.

A multitude of the Lowcountry's finest artists will have crafts on display for viewing enjoyment or sale. Though Johns Island is the 4th largest island on the East Coast and less than 10 minutes from downtown Charleston, it is relatively secluded. The natural beauty on Johns Island attracted many artists to live on the island and use it as inspiration across a variety of artistic mediums.

A new addition to Harvest Fest is a weekend-long trail ride for Equestrians. Ride Mullet Hall's 20 miles of trails, camp overnight with your horses and enjoy Saturday's Harvest Festival activities.

"This is a great event, I've been the last two years.  It is family-friendly, safe, offers a sense of community, all of what living on Johns' Island represents, said Shane Duffy of MovetoJohnsIsland.com, the local Johns Island community and real estate resource.

Five bluegrass bands will provide entertainment for the day's events.

12pm: The Plantation Allstars
1pm: Southern Flavor Bluegrass Band
2pm: Hungry Monk Music
3pm: Yee Haw Junction
4pm: Bluestone Ramblers

Harvest Festival 2008 is on Saturday, November 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center within Johns Island County Park. Admission is $5 per person (Kids 12 and under and Annual Gold Pass holders are free). For more information about the Harvest Festival, please call 795-4FUN, visit www.ccprc.com. For maps of Johns Island and additional community events, please visit www.movetojohnsisland.com/events.aspx.