The Press and Standard: Edisto Christmas kicks off with boat parade on Friday
by The Press and Standard | December 8, 2016 5:00 pm
Last Updated: December 8, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Edisto Island’s three-day Christmas celebration, set to run from Friday Dec. 9 through Sunday Dec. 11 will feature several holiday traditions, starting with the annual boat parade, which will kick off the celebration on Friday. Viewers can gather at Bay Creek Park at sunset to watch the parade. Local church choirs will perform Christmas music and the Town of Edisto Beach will light its Christmas tree after the boat parade. An oyster roast and ugly sweater contest will be held close by. These events will take place from 5-7 p.m. at 3706 Docksite Road on Edisto Beach.
On Dec. 10, local merchants and gift shops will participate in a Holiday “Poker Walk.” During this event, residents and visitors can do a little Christmas shopping and help support Edisto, all while seeing who can collect the best “poker hand” and win an Edisto prize. Participating merchants and rules of the event will be listed on the Edisto Chamber website and Facebook page prior to the event.
At the center of this three-day celebration will be the 26th annual Edisto Christmas Parade, which will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 10. Sponsored by the Edisto Chamber of Commerce, the parade will start at the 600 block of Palmetto Boulevard along Edisto Beach and end at the Pavilion next to the Edisto Beach State Park. This year’s theme will be “The Coast is Clear for an Edisto Christmas.” Other Saturday events include a poker walk with local merchants, arts and crafts market and a barbecue dinner fundraiser.
Santa Claus will arrive just in time for the parade, but will remain on Edisto Beach long enough to visit with any children who may still need to share their lists with him. After the parade, Santa will welcome children at McConkey’s Jungle Shack from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 10. McConkey’s Jungle Shack is located behind Bi-Lo (at the termination of the parade route) at 108 Jungle Road, Edisto Beach.
At the close of the three-day celebration, the Shem Creek Boogie Band will host a benefit concert for hurricane relief for Edisto. They will perform at Bay Creek Park on Sunday Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. The suggested donation is $10 per person. Proceeds will go to the local Ministerial Alliance for Edisto families in need due to damage from Hurricane Matthew. Bay Creek Park is located at 3706 Docksite Road, Edisto Beach.
More information on this weekend’s activities will be posted on Facebook or at www.edistochamber.com as it becomes available.