The Isle of Palms Recreation Department will host its annual Front Beach Fest on Saturday, March 2 from noon to 4 p.m. at Front Beach. This free admission event will feature live music, craft vendors, children’s activities, local restaurants and food trucks. There is no cost to enjoy the entertainment, and artists and food vendors will have items available for purchase.
The rec department organizes and coordinates the event, which is funded through the City of Isle Palms’ accommodations tax. It is designed to bring people together down at Front Beach and serves as the official kick off to the event season, according to IOP Rec Department director Karrie Ferrell.
Recreation supervisor Kelsey Marsh said Front Beach Fest is a really great way to get the community out to see live music, enjoy some family-friendly activities and support local businesses. “It’s the first big event of the year,” noted Marsh. “It gets people out after the winter months.”
Kids’ activities abound and will include face painting, rides provided by Charleston Jump Castles, ax throwing and a rock climbing wall. Other whimsical amusements provided through Good Clean Fun entail a bubble play area with giant wands to blow bubbles, bicycle-powered spin art, a juggling stilt walker and mermaids.
Additionally, there will be further interactive arts and craft opportunities, such as creating decorative sand art with Seaside Island Art. Local groups and civic organizations like IOP Exchange Club and the Island Turtle Team will be setting up booths as well. Marsh said they will be limiting food trucks so that the primary focus will be on showcasing island restaurants.
The live music lineup features two Charleston-based bands, The Coppertones and The Yacht Club. The Coppertones, who describe themselves as “the South’s premier party band,” will be taking the stage at noon to start the festivities. This veteran group of talented musicians has been performing shows throughout the Carolinas and Georgia for more than 20 years. Their versatile repertoire includes everything from Motown, beach/shag music, wedding band standards, ‘70s funk, disco and ‘80s dance favorites to newer party favorites.
They will be followed by The Yacht Club, South Carolina’s smoothest rock band. The band plays up-tempo versions of ‘70s and ‘80s classics, while keeping the melodies intact. Melding sounds of smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, funk and disco, fans will have a blast joining in and grooving along.
“It’s a great day. It’s a lot of fun,” said Ferrell.
By Colin McCandless
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