O - Things to do in the Spring/Summer

New to Charleston A to Z?  Read this first. 

Oyster roasts – I have read that any month with an “R” in it means oyster season is here, so I guess May – August is out, but September – April is fair game.  My church in West Ashley had an oyster roast in September and we consumed 750 pounds of them.  It was my first Lowcountry oyster experience and it was a lot of fun.  I prefer raw oysters with a squirt of tobasco sauce and a twist of lime, but it’s nice to get down and dirty with your food every now and then.  Standing shoulder to shoulder with a glove on one hand (for a novice like myself), knife in the other and copious amounts of cocktail sauce for dipping makes for a very interactive experience.  An occasional boast can be heard about the size of one’s oyster, and if luck is on your side you’ll find a pearl to show off to your family, friends or whatever strangers may be surrounding you.  The best part about the oyster roast is that by the end of the festivities the people around you will not be strangers.  I am all for things that bring people together and Charleston seems to be pretty good at this.  The oyster roast is a great way to have a good time and build relationships. 

There is no shortage of oyster roasts and festivals to attend throughout the year.  Which are your favorites?  Do you have anything more to add about oyster roasts?  Or maybe you’re allergic to shellfish and have a better “O’ activity to offer.