Terrific Happenings In and Around Summerville, SC!

One of the things that I love about living in Summerville is that there is so much to do here. Our climate is such that much of the year we can spend time outdoors. And with gas prices the way they are, it's nice to know there are so many options so close to home. With the kids back in school and the summer heat soon to wane (hopefully!), the Fall season gears up with all kinds of activities. I couldn't possibly list them all here, but a few of my favorites follow...

On recent Saturday morning, my sister-in-law and I grabbed a cup of coffee-to-go and headed off to the Summerville Farmer's Market which continues every Saturday morning through November 22nd. As we strolled along Doty Avenue, we checked out a variety of booths including a local photographer, a vendor selling children's books as well as several others with different wares. And of course there were the local farmers with lots of fresh produce. The baked goods, jams and jellies were hard to resist too! After that we made our way to window shop along Main Street and Short Central. It made for a nice, relaxing morning away from the kids!

Scarecrows made by local groups and school kids will be on display at Hutchinson Square throughout the month of October and the Harvest Moon Hayride and Ghost Walk is scheduled for October 25th. This great family event is sure to get everyone in the Halloween spirit!

But one of my most favorite Fall events is the Coastal Carolina Fair which begins this year on October 30th at the Fairgrounds in Ladson. It's really a great event for everyone and for lots of reasons...first it has appeal, not just to young kids, but it's great for a date, just hanging out with friends, or for families of all ages and stages. There are baking contests, a flower show, equestrian events, farm animals, rides, games, and of course, the huge ferris wheel that every fair must have. There's too much for me to list. But it's proceeds also benefit a variety of charities which just makes it all the better.

The other great thing about living in Summerville is it's location..it's.a short drive from Charleston where there is much to do as well. As most people probably are already aware, the history and architecture alone are good reason to visit. There's the South Carolina Aquarium, the Market, Ft. Sumter, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, the beautiful Battery and on and on. Summerville is also only about an hour and a half from Columbia and the Riverbank's Zoo. Fall is a terrific time to visit since it's not unbearable (no pun intended) to be outside visiting with your favorite animals!

Another thing that is definitely worth mentioning is the "Be a Tourist in Your Own Town" promotion sponsored by the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Last year's cost was just $20.00 for a single pass or $50.00 for a family pass. These passes give you access to over 35 local attractions and discounts at area restaurants. The pass is good for the entire month of January. Sorry! This one is for locals only...any resident of Berkeley, Dorchester or Charleston Counties can purchase passes. Passes go on sale November 1st. Check out www.beatourist.net for a list of last years venues and restaurants to get an idea of what a great opportunity this is! It's like a mini vacation without leaving home.

There are plenty of other things to do in Summerville on a more ongoing basis...you can join the YMCA and get a good workout, take a swim in winter, or sign the kids up for a team. There are an number of parks to enjoy and public tennis courts as well. Don't forget all the great shopping and fantastic restaurants...whether you want an inexpensive family meal or a quiet, romantic dinner for two there's a restaurant to suit you.

Truly, I could go on and on, but instead let me provide a few more links that might be useful in finding out about the happenings in and around Summerville...

The Greater Summerville Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce: www.gsdcchamber.org

Also visit:

www.SummervilleDREAM.org

www.SummervilleRealEstateOnline.com

But let's not forget the simple things in life...one of my favorite spots is my front porch swing where I can sit and watch my kids draw with chalk on the driveway and ride their bikes back and forth. I also think Fall is really the best time to have a backyard cookout with your family and friends since you can actually enjoy being outside without sweating to death!

So whether in you live in Summerville or just want to visit, I'm sure you'll be able to find something to entertain you! I hope to touch on a few of these in more detail in future blogs as well as some others I didn't even list this time. But meanwhile, what's your favorite thing to do here in the Lowcountry? I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments!

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