The World's Largest Oyster Festival? Sunday January 27, 2013 at Boone Hall Plantation

The 30th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival will be held Sunday January 27, 2013 at Boone Hall Plantation. The festival runs from 10:30 am - 5:00 pm and typically sees around 11,000 attendees. The Lowcountry Festival is billed as being the world's largest and after attending I don't have any doubts as to that claim.

The Oyster Festival is a fundraiser put on by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association (GCRA) and all proceeds go to area charities. After 30 years the GCRA has got everything down to a fine art. It impressed me as being one of the largest, well run events I'd ever attended but your mileage may vary. I came at the start, left at the finish and used plenty of sunscreen. It's a great people watching venue.

Tickets run $12 per person in advance and $15 at the gate. No pets.allowed. Oyster buckets (steamed) are $10 for around 3 dozen oysters. Parking is free. There's a children's play area, raw oyster eating and shucking contests and live music. Bring your gloves, oyster knives, chairs or blankets and sun screen. They have gloves and oyster knives available for sale on site if you don't have your own.