Folly Local Nominated as CNN Hero of the Year!

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/

Have You Seen This Ghost?

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

5 Things That Make The Edge of America So Special

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!

Come Visit the Historic Seashore Farmers’ Lodge

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

Historic Mosquito Beach

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

Fun on Folly For a Great Cause!

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/

McLeod Plantation to Begin Cultivation of the Once Extinct Sea Island Cotton

Bye-Bye Folly Boat

If you want to understand the creative, free spirited, come-as-you-are soul of Folly Beach search no further than the “Folly Boat”. The Folly Boat is a small but iconic vessel that washed up on the shores of Folly Beach during Hurricane Hugo almost 28 years ago. Marooned and waiting for a passerby to see the boat as exactly was it was – an empty canvas.

For almost three decades, people have been stopping by along their journeys to and from Folly to paint feelings of life, love, celebrations, best wishes, and uplifting thoughts. The Folly Boat has sat and collected the joy of all who participate in the painting as well as those just passing by.

Recently as Hurricane Irma approached the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, a thoughtful Folly goer stopped and painted their best wishes along the side of the boat, “God Speed Florida” and “This Too Shall Pass”.

Little did those individuals know that Irma would glide up the coast and wash the Folly Boat down the shore a half a mile into Folly native, Chris John’s Dock. John has said that he takes to claim to this boat and wants to return it to where it has resided up the road for the past 28 years. The City of Charleston is aware of the situation of the quintessential Folly Beach Boat and at this time has not yet returned it to its original post. Though it is unclear where it is headed, the funky and laid back feel of the boat still lives on in the spirit of Folly Beach!

For more stories on the Folly Beach boat, visit
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/folly-boat-s-voyage-back-to-folly-road-expected-to/article_61d165f0-9a16-11e7-bb35-d7fab9154d96.html

http://www.thestate.com/news/state/article172676851.html

http://www.follycurrent.com/dont-rock-the-boat/

https://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/how-to-paint-the-folly-boat/Content?oid=3670464

The Public Has Spoken!

We are so excited to announce that Folly Beach has won the Charleston Choice Award for Best Hangout Beach and Best Destination Beach, along with being a finalist for Best Fishing Spot for the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. We want to give a shout out to everyone who voted and thank you for your support and love for The Edge of America.