Folly Beach was recently featured in TripAdvisor’s “8 Top Honeymoon Spots In America You Never Knew Were So Romantic”
“The relaxing pace of life, ocean-fresh air, and soothing coastal views of Folly Island make this a top choice for a couples’ getaway. Folly Beach encompasses 12 square miles of barrier island scenery, which you can explore on a gentle eco tour—or on a surfboard, if you prefer.”
To read the full article, click here
With the relatively colder weather fast approaching our coast, most people count out the beach when thinking of ways to spend their free time. When visiting Folly Beach, winter time is seriously underrated. Don’t mistake that for a lack of love for summer but instead more of an equal love of winter. To a local beach town resident, winter at the beach may even beat summer at the beach and here is our list of reasons why:
1. Peaceful Privacy
With the summer season gone, this quiet time of year on Folly gives you more room to enjoy all that the beach has to offer. One can bundle up and enjoying a good book in privacy with the soundtrack of waves crashing in the background. This means more privacy, enjoy a romantic walk or have the perfect backdrop for photos without any unwanted photo bombers.
2. Christmas Parade
The majority of the summer and spring seasons are spent tending to crowds and enjoying the warm sun, but winter brings in a different kind of happiness. Folly Beach’s events in the holiday season bring out the spirit the holidays in wacky ways. Each year the Christmas parade that marches up and down main street is decked out with the funkiest of parade features alongside some of the classics. Street stores and vendors open up their shops selling gifts that would fit the just about the largest range of people possible.
3. New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Folly Beach’s take on New Year’s is just as outlandish as one would expect from the free spirited town. Main Street does its own version of Time Square’s famous Ball Drop. As the clock strikes midnight and the New Year is ushered in Folly does a “Flip-Flip Drop” and it’s just as it sounds. A giant pair of lit up flip-flops descends upon main street at midnight to mark the New Year! It might be a tradition for people everywhere to take a polar-plunge into ice cold winter water on the first day of the New Year, but Folly does it differently. With Bill Murray as one of our proud locals, Folly Beach hosts a “Bill Murray Look-alike Polar Plunge”. Participants dress as their favorite Bill Murray character and dive into the deep blue!
4. Cold Sand
Okay, so this sounds strange, but hear us out! There is nothing that quite beats the feeling of the cold sand beneath your toes and the ocean breeze on your cheeks when you’re all bundled up. It’s a peaceful sensation that should be experienced as often as possible. Not to mention it’s a break from the scalding sensation that comes accompanied with sand in the summer months. The sunshine and warm waters smell of summer, but don’t knock the coastal winter weather at Folly until you try it for yourself!
5. Empty Waters
If you are brave enough bear the cold water, throw on a wet suit and paddle out into the waves at the Washout. It’s nearly guaranteed that the waves will be less crowded with a more peaceful experience on the water.
6. Beautiful Sunsets
Sunsets in winter are better. That might be a subjective statement, but until you experience a sunset that’s brought in after a cold winter rain storm you’ll just have to take our word for it.
7. Dogs Allowed!
If you are familiar with Folly you know that dogs are allowed year round. In the busy seasons from May – September dogs are only allowed specific hours in the morning and the evening. In the winter, dogs are always allowed during beach hours! All through the off seasons feel free to bring your furry friend to the beach at any time of day (as long as they are on a leash)! Nothing is better than your pup enjoying the beach as much you!
Whether you’re just visiting Folly Beach or happen to be a local, we’ve come up with the perfect Folly Beach Holiday Shopping Guide to help you cross everyone off your shopping list this year! The best part of shopping local is avoiding crazy malls and mainstream retailers. Not to mention, if you haven’t already heard of the shops on Folly, this is the perfect opportunity to get familiar with the local businesses and to support retailers from right here on Folly!
Folly Girlz – We all have that girly girl in our life! This clothing store is full of colors, dresses and other trendy pieces. It’s perfect for the girls that love warm weather fashion and beach themed accessories.
McKelvin’s Surf Shop – Having a hard time finding the perfect gift for your husband or teenage son? This surf shop has t-shirts, hats and surfing items for for anyone who loves to surf and stay active!
Bert’s Market – This is for that foodie in your life! Bert’s has local delicious food items and was voted “Best Corner Market in Charleston”! Not to mention they have free coffee all day to keep you caffeinated while you shop. Pick up some organic goodies to top off a stocking or bring to a holiday party.
Sugartime – For anyone with a sweet tooth! This candy shop is perfect for the kids or candy lover’s stocking stuffers!
Urban Izzy – For the artsy people in your life! This unique boutique is run on wheels and features a collection of items from local artisans and designers. Find lots of one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures here.
Treasure Island – This is for the beach goer! Find an entire wall of boogie boards, beach chairs and more! If you’re spending the holiday season somewhere tropical or know someone who loves the beach this is a must stop shop.
There are many things that make Folly Beach special and the Warrior Surf Foundation is one of them. Founded in May of 2015, WSF helps Veterans address and work through post service challenges such as Post Traumatic Stress, Moral Injury, Survivor’s Guilt and TBI by teaching them how to surf. The Warrior Surf Foundation uses outdoor therapy, peer support and assessments from the staff therapist to track the improvements of the Veterans and Active Duty Service Members who go through the free Surf Camps.
Andrew Manzi, the President and Executive Director of Warrior Surf Foundation has been nominated for CNN’s Hero of the Year. Andrew himself enlisted in the US Marine Corps Infantry in 2003 and after multiple tours in Iran, he was honorably discharged in 2007. He found surfing to be the best form of therapy following a rough couple of years after enlistment. You can vote for Andrew as CNN’s Hero of the Year now through December 17th.
Voting is open until December 17th and you can vote for Andrew at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/vote/
To learn more about Andrew and the Warrior Surf Foundation, visit http://www.warriorsurf.org/
A “proper” Irish pub was always the vision of Irish owner John Teevan, when he laid eyes on the two story 4,500 square foot West Ashley Avenue space before opening St. James Gate Irish Pub in the Summer of 2015. St. James Gate is a place where you can not only get a “proper” Guinness, but as Folly slows down this time of year, their Fall/Winter menu shines. Featuring a Guinness lamb stew, smoked chicken pot pie and Irish spring rolls, the cooler weather is the perfect backdrop for the rich, hearty Irish favorites. An espresso machine was recently added, and will be used to make Folly’s famous espresso martinis. As the nights fall cooler, the fire in the garden is blazing and it’s the perfect place to congregate with friends while sipping a hot Irish coffee, enjoying a pre-game pint, or a nightcap. The upstairs event space The Green Room is available to rent for holiday parties and other events. Credit for their success over the last two years goes to their hardworking staff, fellow Folly business owners, and Folly locals.
Folly Beach’s long and infamously haunted history would not be the same if it weren’t for Blackbeard, Folly’s token ghost pirate.
During the eighteenth century, pirates controlled the coastlines and water around Folly Beach and made a point to wreak havoc on innocent ships. Edward Teach/Thatch, a young seaman would soon become Blackbeard and more importantly, one of the most dreaded pirates known to man. He terrorized the sea from his ship called The Queen Anne’s Revenge, and with his loyal crew, commanded the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans. Blackbeard’s name and a terrifying image came from his practice of weaving matches and hemp into his beard and lighting them on fire.
He would soon meet his demise by two Navy ships and a fight that would leave him with twenty sward stabbings, five bullet wounds and the soldiers cutting off his head as proof of his death and for the collection of a large bounty. It is said that his body swam around the ship three times before sinking into the water. His extensive treasure was never recovered.
Blackbeard continues to haunt the island of Folly Beach, his favorite hideout and most likely where he kept his hidden treasure.
Sources:
http://historygoesbump.blogspot.com/2016/04/hgb-ep-119-folly-beach.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pirates/bbeard.html
There’s something for everyone at Folly Beach, one of Charleston, South Carolina’s unique treasures. No matter what age or interest, you’ll want to add exploring Charleston’s #1 beach town to your to-do list. Here are some reasons why Folly Beach is so special.
1. The terrain: The flat sand on Folly Beach makes exercising entertaining and refreshing from your usual routine. You will find people playing football, running and riding bikes right along the shore.
2. The different parts of the beach: Folly Beach has many different parts of the actual island itself. Explore the edge of the island and you’ll find the surfers at the Washout, catching some of South Carolina’s best waves. Hang your hammock under the pier in the heart of Folly and enjoy the action of people playing beach volleyball and enjoying the water. Take a stroll to the Morris Island Lighthouse and explore all of the history that Folly Beach has to offer.
3. The food: With countless restaurants on the island, there is something for everyone’s pallet. If seafood isn’t your thing, that’s no problem! You’ll find American, Mexican, Chinese and even an Irish Pub along with the freshest seafood in town!
4. The events: Folly knows how to have a good time! We proudly host events like Folly Gras, Follypalooza, the Sea and Sand Festival, Taste of Folly, a Christmas Parade and not to mention we’re a fabulous wedding destination.
5. The location: Not many places can say they’re a short drive away from a beautiful historic city such as Charleston, and we know you’ll love the southern charm just as much as we do. Beach by day, downtown by night!
The Seashore Farmers’ Lodge, located in the Sol Legare community on James Island has recently been restored as a cultural museum that is also open to the public. Built in 1915, The Lodge was established for a fraternal organization and mutual aid society known as the Sol Legare Seashore Farmers’ Lodge No. 767. Its importance to the Lowcountry African American community was compelling, as it provided health and life insurance to it’s members. Organizations like these were very popular in the early 20th century and provided a close community and support system for its members.
Over the past few decades, The Lodge became increasingly unstable and was deemed unusable after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Since then, restoration efforts have tried to help restore The Lodge but it wasn’t until it was featured on the reality show Flip This House that it was finally able to reopen as a cultural museum.
A trip to The Seashore Farmers’ Lodge will provide a captivating look into the decades of community ties that were built in the Sol Legare community during the early 20th century as it its walls truly encompass the heart and soul of the South.
Source: https://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/charleston-county/seashore-farmers-lodge.html
Mosquito Beach is a historic beach located in the Sol Legare community of James Island. In the peak of segregation in the 1950’s, African-Americans weren’t allowed to enjoy the local beaches such as Folly Beach, which meant they had to travel further to enjoy the waterfront. Mosquito Beach, which got its name from the insects that populate the area, became the local beach for African-Americans in the ’50s.
It soon became a popular area with businesses, restaurants and dance halls opening up all along the strip. Even after desegregation, it was still an area of interest for many until it became invaded with violence. Two murders occurred within three years in the 1950’s and after that, the violence only continued. For decades, the community has been taking steps to eliminate the violence in order to maintain the historical significance of the area. The landowners have also agreed to preserve the history and culture by not allowing property owners and outside businesses to take over. They hope to create a peaceful and relaxing environment like it was in its prime and continue to reminisce on its important history that collectively makes Charleston so significant.
Source: https://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/charleston-county/mosquito-beach.html
Join us for a family friendly event with fun for all ages! On Saturday, October 21st from 10am-5pm., stop by this year’s Follypalooza Cancer Benefit on Folly Beach.
Follypalooza is an annual event that continues to help those in need and has successfully raised over $50,000 for over 35 Folly locals with cancer and other medial ailments.
Follypaloooza will feature live music by Dallas Baker & Friends, Dave Landeo, Plane Jane and more. The event will also offer free kids games and activities, jump castles, face painting, as well as arts and crafts and food vendors.
Local restaurants will set up food stands & food trucks along Center Street throughout the day. Feeling lucky? Take your chance at the 50/50 raffle that will be available at the event!
The streets are pedestrian only for this event as they will be closed off from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and patrons are permitted to roam freely with adult beverages with purchase of admission.
A community fundraiser with fun-filled & family-friendly activities, Follypalooza is a great way to support a good cause & remains one of the longest running cancer benefits in the state of South Carolina.
Advance tickets are available now for $5, $10 at the door and kids 12 and younger are always free! (Sorry, no dogs or coolers permitted). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/follypalooza/
