Planet Follywood’s annual Thanksgiving potluck embodies the spirit of community
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to get together, enjoy some food, and be thankful for what they have. If you live on Folly Beach, then you have quite a bit to be thankful for. Of course, the natural beauty of this place is among them, but we also should give thanks for people who live here. While they may not all be blood relatives, we’re all part of the greater Folly family.
This is never more evident than on Thanksgiving Day at Planet Follywood, where a potluck dinner is held every year on the holiday, beginning at 4 p.m. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, City Councilman DJ Rich, who co-owns the local watering hole along with his grandmother, Folly icon Florence O’Donnell (aka Mama Flo), says that all are welcome — locals and tourists alike. Even if you’ve been banned from the bar in the past, for that day, all is forgiven. “We let everybody in,” says Rich. “Whether we’ve kicked you out before. Whether you’re homeless. It doesn’t matter. Everybody is welcome.”
There’s no charge for the food, which is plentiful and delicious. According to Rich, since people don’t have to plan on making a whole feast, they tend to put all their effort and love into one dish, making for a pretty special feast. “Rarely is there a bad dish,” he says. “We’ll have staples, but you’ll also get some more unique stuff and more local fair, like oyster dressing.”
As far as the main attraction, Follywood prepares a roasted turkey and fills in any gaps if someone hasn’t signed up for an essential dish, like mac and cheese, which is a favorite of his. “One year no one signed up for mac and cheese and I love mac and cheese, so I said ‘OK, I’ll make a big pan of it.’ Then two or three people show up with mac and cheese … that’s just how it goes,” says Rich.
To help avoid too much duplication of dishes, a sign-up sheet will be placed in the bathroom of Planet Follywood as the holiday approaches. Rich laughs at the placement of the signup sheet, but says that it was his grandmother’s idea and seems to be the most visible spot for people. Not that too much mac and cheese is a bad thing … or too much turkey. Last year they had roasted turkey, fried turkey, and a Cajun turkey. As things start winding down, if there’s anything leftover, Rich says they makes plates for the firemen, police officers, paramedics, and anyone else working on Thanksgiving, whether it’s our first responders or the clerk at the gas station. “Gotta take care of the working folks,” he says.
For the last decade, since Rich and O’Donnell have owned Planet Follywood, the Thanksgiving potluck has grown to become a true Folly Tradition, with as many as 70 people showing up to make a plate. But Rich says even before he and his grandmother took ownership of the bar, the tradition already existed. “As long as this has been a neighborhood bar, this has been going on here,” says Rich.
Big Thanksgivings are nothing new for Rich, he recalls his home always full of family, friends, neighbors, and random Folly Beach folks every Thanksgiving before they bought the bar. Rich says the Follywood Thanksgiving potluck is no different. “It’s just like your family, there’s your drunk uncle, there’s your crazy aunt, and your weird cousin with the long hair. It’s great people watching.”
After dinner is over, the bar remains open and the kitchen is even open for folks who have just had enough turkey, dressing, and sweet potato soufflé. And the regular Thursday night karaoke will take place, so after stuffing your face with turkey, you can take the mic and make a turkey out of yourself.
Planet Follywood’s Thanksgiving Potluck will be held Thursday, Nov. 26, beginning at 4 p.m. (Follytime). To sign up to bring a dish, come by Planet Follywood at 32 Center St. For more information, call (843) 588-7380 or visit www.planetfollywood.com.
