Charleston tourism, a busy season ahead
Today kicks off a busy Charleston tourism season with the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition SEWE and I'll highlight some of the key events coming up this spring on the tourism calendar.
It's going to be a busy wee in late February through the first weekend in March and I don't know how anybody is going to get a hotel room with three big events. The conference tournaments leading to March Madness begin with the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament SOCON in Charleston beginning Tuesday February 27 and ending on Saturday March 3. The inaugural event of our own Sandlapper Real Estate Group's Sandlapper Classic High School Track and Field Classic will be held on Saturday March 3 at West Ashley High School's fabulous facility and we're expecting many top schools from the local and regional area participating including Bishop England from Daniel Island and Wando High School from Mount Pleasant among others. Last, but certainly not least, March 1 - March 4 will be the Charleston Food + Wine Festival. Charleston is one of the great dining destinations and this event will certainly showcase our wonderful city and our Lowcountry cuisine. Local and national chefs and representatives of top wineries from around the country will be participating.
The end of March brings another busy weekend combining two outstanding local events that draw visitors and participants from across the country and around the world. The Cooper River Bridge Run, a world class 10K event will be held on Saturday March 31 and the Flowertown Festival in Summerville runs from Friday March 30 through Sunday April 1. Historically, spring color is at its peak this weekend with the azaleas in full bloom and you can enjoy lots of activities and find great things to buy from crafters across the country.
Do you like tennis? The Family Circle Cup comes to Daniel Island in the Family Circle Tennis Center and always attracts the top female tennis players in the game (7 of the top 10 in the world have committed as of today). The facility is first class and you can get up close and personal. The event begins April 7 and continues through April 15 (make sure you get your taxes paid too!)
Golf takes center stage in May with back to back events. The Senior PGA Championship tees it up at the famed Ocean Course on Kiawah Island on May 24. It won't be an easy week for the professionals since Golf Digest just named the Ocean Course as America's toughest course. An inaugural LPGA event will be held at the Arnold Palmer designed Rivertowne Country Club in Mount Pleasant the following week. Beginning May 31, the Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika Sorenstam is expected to be the 2nd richest tournament on the LPGA Tour and should bring in a great field.
Wrapping up the busy season is the 30th annual Spoleto Festival USA. Founded by Gian Carlo Menotti in 1977, and who passed away on February 1, tribute to this extraordinary man and his legacy will be made during the 2007 festival.
Over 17 days with over 100 performances by renowned artists and emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music, as well as the visual arts, Spoleto is one of the premier arts festivals in the world. Make plans to be in Charleston from Thursday May 24 through Sunday June 10.
Wow! What a busy spring tourism season with a great variety of events. I encourage everyone to find a reason to come to Charleston this spring. While you're here, fall in love with our wonderful city and local area and let me show you a house or two. Relocation to Charleston might be interesting to you as well.