Oyster Festival Draws Thousands To Old Santee Canal Park

Shells were put into a container for a DNR recycling program.

Krista Driggers, pictured with a group of girlfriends, calls the oyster festival a “tradition” she enjoys with family and friends.

Four-year-old Sullivan Driggers loves police officers and Officer Bailey takes a moment to pose with him.

Crowds brought out tailgate gear to enjoy the event and weather.

Simmons Seafood Catering provided 250 bushels of local and gulf singles oysters.

Couples shag to music by Custom 4 and Friends band.

Hundreds of people line up to shuck oysters.

A father and son grab a bucket of oysters to share.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Great weather, great friends, great food, and 250 bushels of oysters! More than 2,000 people gathered with oyster shuckers, tailgate chairs, and more for the 17th annual Shuckin’ in the Park Oyster Roast at the Old Santee Canal Park.

“It’s one of the biggest events we have here at the park. It’s always a great turnout,” Brad Sale, Education Coordinator of Old Santee Canal Park, said.

People set up tailgate tents, chairs, and tables to enjoy the sunny weather. There was a little something for everyone. The crowds enjoyed live entertainment from the band Custom 4 and Friends, who played beach, oldies style pop music. Children played on the park playground and two inflatable jump castles and slides that had been set up.

“We’ve been coming to this event for four years now,” said attendee Wendi Conyers as she held her baby six month old Ivey Mae. “It’s a wonderful event for families with free entertainment for my kids.”

Her husband Billy Conyers sat nearby working on his second bucket of oysters. “The oysters are amazing,” he says. “and juicy! They are like the steak of the sea,” he said with a laugh.

Randall and Susie Simmons and Harvey Goldman, all of Goose Creek, enjoy the oysters.

Hundreds of people lined up along oyster shucking tables in the middle of the park. Local caterer Simmons Seafood of Mount Pleasant provided a mix of local and gulf oysters for attendees to enjoy.

Visitors also got the chance to explore some of the park’s nature trails and see the backwaters of Biggin Creek. Krista and Darren Driggers walked along the trail with their young explorer Sullivan. “I love it. It’s laid back, family friendly, has a small town, peaceful feel,” Krista said about the event.

Year-round the park provides educational programs for students and summer campers.

“Proceeds from Shuckin’ in the Park will benefit the educational programs we have. It’s a time for students to get out of the classroom and learn hands on both the history and nature we have here in South Carolina,” Sale said.

Moncks Corner Mayor Michael Lockliear pictured with Police Chief Rick Ollic at the festival.

He says turnout was big this year and that organizers expected proceeds to be in the thousands of dollars, from an event enjoyed by thousands of people.

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Nicole Johnson Shealy

Nicole Johnson Shealy is a freelance journalist in the tri-county area. She began her journalism career in the TV news industry in 2005 and has worked at stations in Columbia, SC, Albany, GA, and in Charleston, SC. Additionally, her work has been published across multiple platforms including newspaper, magazine, and online.

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