Taste of Folly returns Jan. 13 & 14 with new flavors and classic tastes
by Lorne Chambers | editor
We often hear the term “Keep Folly Funky” but nowhere is that funkiness more present than in the local food scene. Folly Beach is unlike any other beach town in the state and maybe in the entire country in that in addition to the requisite seafood and burger joints that every beach town has to have, we also have restaurants that offer Mexican, Italian, Irish, Caribbean, and Asian-influenced cuisine. Even our dive bars offer interesting twists on traditional fare. Charleston has become a world class culinary city in recent years and since Folly Beach is Charleston’s favorite beach for fun and food, it’s no surprise that the annual Taste of Folly festival is one of the more popular events of the year.
“What makes Taste of Folly so special is highlighting our bars and restaurants,” says Kelly Travers, owner of Events on the Edge and special events coordinator for the Folly Association of Business (FAB), who put on the event. “Folly’s eclectic food scene is what makes Taste of Folly magical. Guests shouldn’t expect just fried seafood and bar fare, as Folly has an elevated food scene with lots of amazing, tasty specialty items to try! Some of our restaurants have received national notoriety. So, we encourage folks to come out and try all of our restaurants’ signature dishes and cocktails!”
Taste of Folly officially kicks off the festival season on the island on Friday, Jan. 13 with a Cocktail Competition, where Folly bartenders, representing their bar or restaurant, compete for the title of Best Cocktail 2023. Sponsored by Larceny Bourbon this year, the competition is usually fierce, and the winner receives prizes, a plaque to display in their establishment, and bragging rights that last the whole year. Tickets for that event are $25 in advance and $30 the day off. This event usually sells out.
Then on Saturday, Jan. 14 Center Street will close at 7 a.m. and the festival is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance [and $15 at the door] but is free for Folly residents (must show a valid driver’s license), and kids 12 and under are free.
In addition to all the local restaurants who will be serving food, there will be more than 60 vendors and three stages of live music. Travers says she is excited to welcome “Big Stoner Creek” as the headliner this year. While they are local to Folly, the band has been playing sold out shows across the state for years. For the kiddos there will be a Beagle Jump Castle, in honor of Pet Helpers (the designated charity for the event), an obstacle course, pots and pans percussion, stilt walking chefs, pasta making, and more.
In addition to fan favorites like the Hot Dog Eating Contest (sponsored by Bert’ Market) and the Oyster Shucking Contest (sponsored by The Washout), this year’s event has a few new twists in addition to the classics. This year, instead of the popular annual “Chili Cook-off,” which features a competition between non-restaurant professionals, there will be an even bigger, “One Pot Showdown” where participants battle for the best one pot recipe.
“Take one part chili cookoff, one part stew stampede, one part gumbo gauntlet, and ten parts culinary competition; heat to a rolling boil, stir occasionally and there you have the One Pot Showdown,” says Travers. “Restaurants are not part of this competition! We know there are a lot of really great home chefs out there!”
To register for the One Pot Showdown or to purchase tickets for either the cocktail competition and/or street festival, go to www.visitfolly.com/taste-of-folly.
