Blue Crab Festival

**Now that the holidays are over and a long dull winter lies ahead (dull, at least for those unable to take time off over the next couple of months to enjoy a weekend skiing or the comparatively warmer climate at the beach). One way I cope is to start planning our next vacation - perhaps a long weekend in the spring?

Spring and early summer at Sunset Beach provides no end of events and festivals to attend, and the 29th Annual Blue Crab Festival, scheduled this year for May 15th and 16th at nearby Little River, SC, is just one small example. But perhaps "small" is an inappropriate word to use here, since the festival will feature approximately 175 artists and craftsmen stands, a wide array of ethnic and gourmet food vendors, music & other entertainment - plus an extensive children's area.

My family and I went last year, and had a great time. Our 5-year-old was very happy with the various carnival games and bouncy castles set up by several local charity groups (and we were happy with the reasonable ticket prices). And a pony ride was a thrill for her as well.

By lunchtime, there were so many different choices that it was almost overwhelming, and the fragrances emanating from all the different tents was intoxicating. Far more than a mere collection of hamburger and BBQ stands, the food alone was enough of a reason to stay through supper as well. I am sure a lot of folks did. In order to get a good look at all the different displays of artwork, pottery, fabric arts, woodworking, and other fine arts and handcrafted items, a person really needed more than a single morning . . . or at least I did.

This festival is well organized, with bus services to transport attendees between several different parking locations, and clean, plentiful bathroom facilities (porta-potties), which any Mom with a little one knows is a concern when deciding to which outdoor festival to take the kids.

Blue Crab Festival
Starts: 5/15/2010 Ends: 5/16/2010
City: Little River, SC
Produced by: Blue Crab Festival
Phone: 843-385-3180
Email: lfh@airecomm.net
Website: www.bluecrabfestival.org

Sunshine, Warm Sand & Water : Sunset Beach In November

Last weekend, we made a quick trip to Sunset Beach and brought along the cousins. The November weather was surprisingly warm, with temperatures hovering in the mid-70's. We spend every morning on the Island, enjoying the warm breezes, our toes relishing the sun-baked sand. The water was even warm, and I saw a few folks wearing bathings suits (we didn't even think to bring ours), and someone out surfing the waves. Of course, lack of bathing suits wasn't going to keep our girls out of the water.

When we first drove up to the public parking lot right behind the sand dunes (always plenty of parking on a November morning), we spotted a deer (a buck with a full rack!) running across the sand, but he disappeared into the maritime shrubs before I could get my camera to power on. So in addition to water birds, foxes and even bears, there are quite a few deer living on the island as well!

It took our empty stomachs to convince us to leave the beach and go off in search of lunch - otherwise, we might have stayed all day! Who would have thought that bare feet, sunglasses and that languid feeling you get from closing your eyes, and settling back in the sand to listen to the waves would be possible in November (Just one more reason Autumn is my favorite season in NC)? As we shook off the sand, packed our chairs and sand toys back into the car, I noticed that the public parking was pretty much full. Looks like more and more folks are discovering you don't have to wait till Summer to enjoy a lazy day at the beach in North Carolina!