Taste of Folly returns this month with a weekend of eating and drinking the best the island has to offer
from Staff Reports
Locals and visitors are all invited to eat and drink their way through Folly Beach’s unique culinary scene at the annual Taste of Folly festival this month.
The festivities officially kick off on Friday, Jan. 19 with the annual Taste of Folly Cocktail Competition in the Pavilion Ballroom at the Tides Hotel from from 6-9 p.m. The best mixologists on Folly Beach will showcase their skills, creating a variety of fun and tasty craft cocktails. Ticketholders will enjoy appetizers while sampling custom drinks from Folly Beach restaurants and bars. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door and include all cocktails in the competition and appetizers. You must be 21 or older to enter. Tickets for this event are limited and likely to sell out, so grab your spot now at www.VisitFolly.com.
Then, the main event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 with live music, street vendors, competitions, and much more. Savory Saturday will officially be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. but because this is a street closure event, Center Street will be closed to auto traffic from from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and taken over by Folly restaurants who will be serving up their best dishes and showing off their skills through live demonstrations.
As always, there will be a competitive element to the festival. You can participate (or just watch) the Hot Dog Eating Contest, the Oyster-shucking Contest, and then root on your favorite bartender at the Battle of the Mixologists. There will also be the much-loved One-Pot Showdown, the Taste of Folly version of a chili cook-off. Plus, live music, 80-plus art, craft, and fashion vendors, and a robust kids’ area. Tickets for Savory Saturday are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. Free admission is available for Folly Beach residents with a valid Folly driver’s license and for kids 12 and under.
For more information about the Taste of Folly festival and cocktail competition and to purchase your tickets now, please go to VisitFolly.com or find it on Facebook or visit www.Visit Folly.
Festival Rules: NO GLASS ON CENTER STREET! No Animals, Coolers, Bikes, Skateboards, Scooters, or Backpacks (except diaper bags). Any bags brought may be searched at the discretion of security—no outside beverages. Reusable cups are permitted but must be empty upon entering and exiting the event. Rain or shine event. Service animals are allowed.
