8th Annual Follywood Oyster Roast to raise funds for Warrior Surf Foundation
Special To The Current
After a one-year hiatus the Follywood Productions Oyster Roast returns Saturday, Jan. 27 with a full lineup of musicians and art vendors as well as bushels and bushels of oyster being steamed fresh onsite at The Barrel, located at 1859 Folly Road.
“We’re excited to have this annual fundraiser for Warrior Surf Foundation back after a one-year hiatus. And we’re super-pumped to have Lagunitas Brewing Co. on board as this year’s title sponsor,” says Ben Bounds founder/owner of Follywood Productions. This year Follywood Productions and Lagunitas Brewing Co. will be raising funds and awareness for Folly’s own Warrior Surf Foundation (WSF).
Andrew Manzi, Folly Beach resident and co-founder of WSF , received a CNN Hero Award in December for his work helping veterans and their families cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). WSF is a veteran-operated nonprofit organization helping vets with PTSD, physical injuries, survivor’s guilt and social anxiety through surfing therapy, and helps to build bonds beyond the battlefield. The project was started in May 2015 by professional surfers and American combat veterans.
“We started working with WSF in December 2015 when Josh Wilson from Charleston Surf Lessons introduced me to Andy (Manzi) at the Drop In Deli. Follywood was looking for a new nonprofit for the Oyster Roast to benefit, and I knew after hearing Andy’s story that this would be a perfect fit,” says Bounds. “Tyler Crowder from WSF was also instrumental in making it all come together. This one is a big deal for us, it’s ‘Good Times for a Good Cause.’”
Doors will open at noon, with live music from 1-9 p.m. with several local bands paying tribute to some of your favorite artists, including A Jimmy Buffett tribute by Folly Pirates Over Forty (1-2:30 p.m.), a Rolling Stones tribute by Guilt Ridden Troubadour with Campbell Brown & Josh Roberts (3-4:30 p.m.), a Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead tribute by Grateful Brothers (5-7 p.m.), and a Led Zeppelin tribute by Wax Groove Revival (7:30-9 p.m.)
In addition to the stellar lineup of local musicians, Bounds says there will also be a handful of special guest musicians making appearances, but many of them have other ticketed shows that night, so they can’t mention them by name.
Alligator Jack’s food truck will be on hand with more to be announced. More than a dozen local art vendors will be set up inside the venue as well.
“The Barrel is a unique venue with a vibe and atmosphere unlike any other in town,” says Bounds. “It’s equal parts craft brew pub, dog park and music venue.” The fundraiser is family-friendly, and kids 10 and under get in free. Kids activities like jump castles and carnival games will be on site. All pets must be up to date on vaccines, and patrons must have one leash per pet. No aggressive dog breeds allowed.
Admission for the 8th Annual Follywood Oyster Roast is $14 in advance, $15 at the door. Kids 10 and under get in free. Tickets are on sale now through City Paper Tickets.
