Toadfish Conservation Coalition’s annual oyster celebration returns to Bowens Island on Sunday, Dec. 8
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
One of the premier oyster events in the southeast is returning to Bowens Island on Sunday, Dec. 8. Appropriately named Shellabration 2024, the third annual event is a celebration of all things oysters. It also offers an immersive experience that aims to protect, restore, and sustain our coastal ecosystems. Shellabration is hosted by the Toadfish Conservation Coalition, the charity and activist arm of local company Toadfish that specializes in eco-conscious products that complement the coastal lifestyle, like oyster knives, shrimp cleaners, crab mallets, and much more. Toadfish founder Casey Davidson has always made conservation a major part of his business model, pledging to rebuild new oyster reefs with every product that is sold.
Davidson, who was raised in the Lowcountry and is a College of Charleston graduate, started selling his products at local farmer markets in 2016. Since then, Toadfish has exploded into a nationally-recognized brand. But despite the company’s success, Davidson has continued to contribute to the restoration of oyster beds.
“We’ve always given a portion of our proceeds to oyster restoration. But Shellabration is our biggest revenue driver of the year,” he says, adding that 100 percent of the proceeds from the event will go to oyster restoration in South Carolina. Last year, they were able to restore a one-acre oyster reef near the Pitt Street Bridge in Mt. Pleasant. This year, Davidson says he’d like to purchase a barge for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which will help them relocate compacted oyster beds to new locations.
He’s hoping that the money raised at this year’s Shellabration will help pay for a large chunk of that barge. It’s also a reason to get together with all their friends and partners they work with in the area.
“It’s a chance to get all of our friends together, which is all the oyster farmers and have a big party, says Davidson. “There will be great food, great wine, and a great silent auction.”
V.I.P. tickets for the event sold out just hours after going live, but general admission tickets are still available for $100. Shellabration will feature oysters from farms located across the Carolinas, a curated menu from some of Charleston’s most prestigious chefs, wine, beer, live music from the Old Soul Band, and a chance to win amazing items from a silent auction featuring golf carts, duck hunting trips, fishing charters, rare and vintage bourbon, and much more.
“It’s the best event in the southeast if you love oysters,” says Davidson. “It showcases oysters in so many ways and varieties and so many flavors.”
Participating vendors will include Darling Oyster, Calabria’s Fine Foods, Rappahannock Oyster Bar, Normandy Farm Bakery, Cuda Co., Raw Lab, Bearcat, Low Country Oyster Company, Barrier Island Oyster Company, Charleston Oyster Farm, and of course, Bowen’s Island, and more.
Shellabration 2024 will be held Sunday, Dec. 8, Location: Bowen’s Island Restaurant, located at 1870 Bowens Island Road, VIP Happy Hour will be held from 1:30-3 p.m., and general admission is 3-7 p.m. For more information, visit www.toadfish.com/products/shellabration-2024.
