Car Accident Attorney inMount Pleasant, SC

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — It was the 36th annual Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood festival in Mount Pleasant Sunday.

The events bring nearly 10,000 seafood lovers together to enjoy local shrimp and fish. The Blessing of the Fleet is how the town of Mount Pleasant sends good wishes to local shrimpers.

Read More: 1 injured after shrimp boat catches fire, sinks on way to 'Blessing of the Fleet' Sunday

“What we’re here for is to ask God’s blessing on their shrimpers and families,” said Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie. "It’s hard work, they’re out there in bad weather and good weather and they bring us the best shrimp in America.”

The windy day didn’t stop the shrimper boat parade in the Cooper River, the different fleets cruised by in less than 30 minutes. Haynie’s favorite part of the event is hearing about the family history and legacies of each shrimp boater.

A windy celebration: The 36th annual 'Blessing of the Fleet' and seafood festival. (WCIV)

Those legacies live on through the events’ popular festivities including crawfish, fun in the sun, and even a people’s choice art show.

DeeDee Conant with the Mt. Pleasant Art Guild said, “we are so happy to be here for the town and community, we have great artist, beautiful artwork.”

Read More: 'Blessing of the Fleet' shirts include tribute to Capt. Wayne Magwood

Several young seafood lovers made their first visit, like Cameron Barbare who was most excited to see the shrimp boat blessing and encouraged everyone to appreciate the effort it takes to bring that shrimp to your table.

Mt. Pleasant allows visitors to watch shrimpers unload seafood at local restaurants.

“Bless them with precision, bless them with safety and bless them by supporting them and buying your seafood from our fishers and shrimpers on Shem Creek,” Mayor Haynie said.

Read More: 36th annual 'Blessing of the Fleet' Festival returns Sunday

The Blessing of the Fleet began in 1988 by former shrimp boat Captain Wayne Magwood and his family.

The proceeds from the event are given to local non-profit organizations.

As the Lowcountry weather turns hot and muggy in late spring and early summer and school lets out, moms and dads will be searching for .activities to do with their kids. The beach and the pool are two obvious ways to beat the heat and enjoy some aquatic adventures, but the traffic and crowds can be a drawback on occasion. If you’re looking for a few alternatives and need a little inspiration, we’ve outlined some potential boredom busters in or near the Mount Pleasant area to consider as you plan your next outing.

Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

Who says learning can’t be fun? The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry has plenty of interactive, interdisciplinary exhibits to entertain and engage your little ones, and it’s a perfect selection to save for a rainy-day occasion. They aim to offer environments and experiences that spark imagination in young children and stimulate curiosity through the power of play. Kids can explore building projects with real tools and materials in the Boeing BrightLab, climb aboard a Lowcountry pirate ship (Argh matey!) or tap into their creative side in the museum’s dedicated art center featuring a Creation Station and a Painting Place. Their Speak Loud Studio! encourages the budding actor in your child as they express themselves and perform their own version of a theater show. Children can also head outdoors to romp in the Kids’ Garden where they can watch butterflies, chase bugs and learn the basics of botany. The Infant & Toddler Playspace, where the littlest visitors can ride down tiny wooden slides or play with tactile and fine motor toys, helps develop motor skills. For more information, visit explorecml.org.

Palmetto Islands County Park

This 943-acre oasis tucked away in the Long Point area of Mount Pleasant provides countless outdoor recreational activities for children of all ages to occupy themselves. During the warmer months kids will delight in the Splash Island Waterpark, a seasonal water attraction featuring a 200-foot body flume, a 16-foot otter slide, sprays, geysers, raindrop waterfalls, a cyclone swirling water ride and an activity pool. Or get moving on Palmetto Island County Park’s 4.4 miles of nature trails and 1.1 miles of paved trails for walking, biking and skating. Survey the lay of the land from the 50-foot observation tower and bring your young children to the adjacent play area. Children can also rollick on the Big Toy playground. Additionally, there are kayak rentals and a kayak launch, as well as bicycle and peddle boat rentals for those who want to experience the park from the water. They also offer tidal creek fishing (requires a saltwater fishing license) and a crabbing dock. With all that exercising your family might work up an appetite, so pack a lunch and relax at one of their picnic sites equipped with tables and grills (they also have a snack bar and vending machines onsite). No need to leave your furry family at home either. Bring the canines along to run free in their off-leash dog park. Learn more at ccprc.com/69/Palmetto-Islands-County-Park.

Memorial Waterfront Park

Nestled under the base of the Ravenel Bridge, Memorial Waterfront Park is the ideal spot for family summer fun with an expansive lawn for picnics, a nautical-themed playground and soft-serve ice cream dispensed at the River Watch Café and Gift Shop. Soak up the beautiful views of Charleston Harbor from the 1,250-foot-long Mount Pleasant Pier, and tote along a fishing rod to cast a few lines. Fun fact: the pier’s foundation was created from pared-down pilings from the Silas N. Pearman Bridge that predated the Ravenel. Sit and lounge a spell in one of the swings or rocking chairs and idle away the afternoon. While there, immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, War Memorial and Visitor Center. The pier also features an 8,100-square-foot covered pavilion that hosts dances and events throughout the year. Visit tompsc.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/35 for hours and contact information.

Sky Zone

‘Jump around, jump around, jump up, jump up and get down.’ Need your kids to work off some of that boundless energy? Tired of them jumping on their beds? Take them to the Sky Zone Trampoline Park where they can jump, flip and bounce to their heart’s content and reach for the sky. Children can engage in a multitude of thrilling activities and one-of-a-kind attractions that mix play and exercise including skyslam, freestyle jump, ultimate dodgeball, foam zone, skyladder, ultimate volleyball, freeclimb (Sky Zone boasts South Carolina’s tallest indoor bouldering wall) and the warped wall. It’s also a great place to celebrate those spring and summer birthday parties. They even offer special programs such as Little Leapers that moms and their toddlers can enjoy together. For more information, visit skyzone.com/Charleston.

By Colin McCandless

Visit Brookgreen Gardens this Summer: A Cultural Hideaway Mex 1 Coastal Cantina is Voted Best of Mount Pleasant, Olé! Shannon Gallo Owner, Oyster Candle Company & Coastal Gifts Children’s Discovery Center One of Mount Pleasant’s Best

From its largest cities to its smallest towns, South Carolina simply oozes with southern charm. So narrowing down any type of South Carolina's "most charming" list is a tall order. Limiting the task to cities helps, of course, and we have compiled a list of some of the most charming cities in the Palmetto State. Charleston, the state's most historic city, is obviously on the list, but so too are some hidden gems that you may not have considered visiting—until now! Check out our list and use it—and our article on charming small towns—to help plan your next trip to South Carolina.

Charleston

Founded in 1670 and home to about 150,000 residents today, the Atlantic port city of Charleston connects with its past more than perhaps any other city in the United States. The tree-lined streets are dotted with hundreds of well-preserved colonial and antebellum-era homes, reflecting the city's economic and cultural power prior to the Civil War. Most of this wealth and power was acquired through the slave trade, and today's Charleston has increasingly confronted this fact in how it presents its history. Facing the reality of slavery is a corrective to the over-romanticization of Charleston, but the city still has an undeniable charm as a lively modern city that remains steeped in history.

Columbia

Columbia, the centrally-located capital of South Carolina, has a population of a little under 140,000. Also home to the state's flagship university, the University of South Carolina, Columbia combines its status as a capital city and college town into a uniquely vibrant atmosphere. The city was burned to the ground during the last months of the Civil War, so it has a more modern feel than Charleston, but it still has several historic buildings and sites to explore. Sitting at the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers, which form the Congaree River, Columbia offers a range of outdoor recreation options. The city is also conveniently located halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Greenville

Located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is conveniently situated less than 150 miles away from both Charlotte and Atlanta. The city has grown rapidly in recent years, adding about 15,000 residents since 2000 to reach a population of roughly 70,000. The downtown area has rebounded nicely from its doldrums in the 1980s and 90s, with a revitalized appearance and an array of boutiques, restaurants, pubs, galleries, and museums. Furman University and Bob Jones University are in the immediate area, while Clemson University is only 30 miles away. Several nearby state parks and nature preserves take advantage of the Upstate region's natural beauty.

Mount Pleasant

At first glance, Mount Pleasant may appear to be nothing more than a suburb of Charleston that has seen explosive growth in recent decades—the population has increased from 6,000 to 90,000 in the past fifty years. Separated from Charleston by the Cooper River, the 2005 opening of the Ravenal Bridge, an architectural wonder, has furthered this growth. That said, Mount Pleasant retains much of its historic nature. One of the earliest English settlements in South Carolina happened in what is now Mount Pleasant, and the oldest historic structure dates back to 1755. The Old Village neighborhood is centered around the Pitt Street Shops, bringing historic charm and modern boutique shopping together.

North Charleston

North Charleston has always been connected to the adjacent city of Charleston—first as the site of slave labor plantations, then as the region's industrial base (including a huge U.S. Navy shipyard from 1901-1996). Since incorporating as its own city in 1972, however, North Charleston has worked to develop its own identity. Now the third largest city in South Carolina, with about 115,000 residents, North Charleston has taken advantage of tourist spillover from Charleston while also emphasizing its own waterfront location and unique history. The city has transformed the closed shipyard into a fantastic waterfront park, including boardwalks, fishing piers, and concert venues. North Charleston is also the biggest retail shopping destination in the state.

Rock Hill

Situated along the northern edge of South Carolina, Rock Hill is part of the Charlotte (NC) metro area, with downtown Charlotte located about 25 miles away. Rock Hill has experienced explosive growth along with the rest of the metro area, growing into the fifth-largest city in South Carolina with nearly 75,000 residents. Surrounded by all this growth, however, the downtown area still retains a core of mid-1800s buildings that house lively retail, restaurant, and arts scenes. As home to many college students and young professionals, the entire city maintains an energetic vibe. Rock Hill also has numerous parks and outdoor recreation options that make use of its location along the picturesque Catawba River.

Summerville

Positioned about 25 miles from downtown Charleston, Summerville has grown quickly along with the rest of the metro area, with its population jumping from 4,000 to 51,000 between 1970 and 2020. Summerville promotes itself as a quintessential Lowcountry South Carolina community, brimming with its distinct brand of southern charm and even as the birthplace of sweet tea! Known for its many gardens and floral displays, Summerville hosts the state's largest annual arts and crafts festival, the Flowertown Festival. The city is also home to a lovely and historic downtown area and is adjacent to the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, which preserves artifacts from the original 1696 English settlement of the area.

9 Best Small Towns To Live In The CarolinasFrom the historic streets of Beaufort to the sunny beaches of Sullivan's Island, each of these towns has its own unique appeal.

South Carolina does not have a large number of cities, nor are the state's cities particularly large in population. But, from Charleston on the coast to Greenville at the edge of the mountains, every city in South Carolina is a charming and lively destination that is well worth a visit. From historic architecture to beautiful gardens to natural wonders and more, South Carolina's cities practically beckon visitors to "come, sit down, and stay a while."

7 Most Underrated Towns In South Carolina

(NEXSTAR) — Your mother brought you into this world, raised you, and worked tirelessly to support your dreams and passions throughout your entire life.

The least you can do is buy her some eggs.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the analysts at Yelp have scoured their national databases in an attempt to determine the 100 best-reviewed brunch restaurants on the platform. This year, restaurants in 34 different states made the list, meaning that (hopefully), you won’t have to drag mom too far for eggs benny or mimosas.

Coming in at No. 1 — with a 4.5-star rating out of over 1,600 reviews — is Café Kacao in Oklahoma City, which specializes in Latin American cuisine alongside classic brunch staples and coffee drinks. The Comfort Café in San Antonio nabbed the No. 2 spot, thanks in part to its homestyle brunch dishes offered on a pay-what-you-can basis in support of the addiction recovery program operated by its parent organization. And at No. 3 is The Wild Chive in Long Beach, California, where the vegan fare garners rave reviews from locals.

Certain states also had especially good showings, specifically California and Florida, which each boasted 10 entries on this year’s ranking — the maximum allowable number of restaurants for any given state. (Yelp instituted a maximum number of businesses from any single state for purposes of “geographic diversity,” according to a Yelp blog post.)

Yelp’s complete ranking of the country’s 100 best brunch spots is listed below.

In compiling this year’s list, Yelp’s team limited its rankings to businesses in its Breakfast & Brunch category, concentrating on restaurants with reviews that frequently mentioned “brunch,” specifically. These eateries were then ranked according to a number of factors, including the volume of their reviews and their Yelp ratings as of April 6, 2023.

“Whether she loves classic eggs benedict at a cozy cafe or buttery pancakes at a white tablecloth restaurant, you’re sure to find the perfect place to take the mom in your life with some help from Yelp,” the company wrote in a blog post.

More information on Yelp’s rankings, including links to each restaurant’s Yelp page, can be found at the platform’s official site.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The cost of lunch and breakfast offered through the Charleston County School District is about to increase for the first time in more than a decade.

On Tuesday, the district’s Nutrition Services Department presented a proposal to the CCSD Audit and Finance Committee to increase lunch to $2.75 and breakfast to $1.50 – an increase of 50 cents and 10 cents, respectively.

However, only students in Mount Pleasant and at Buist Academy, School of the Arts and Academic Magnet will have to pay the new prices. Schools in Charleston, North Charleston and everywhere else in the county will have the same price, but students at those schools will get their meals paid for by the federal government’s Community Eligibility Provision program.

The CEP program allows students in low-income areas to eat for free. This year 22,000 students qualified for the CEP. Now, after a change that allows the state to use Medicaid data to determine low-income areas, more schools have been added. Next year more than 33,000 students will qualify for the CEP.

Walter Campbell, executive director of Nutrition Services, says they were able to apply for the CEP as groups of schools and feeder patterns instead of individual schools that may not have otherwise qualified. However, the schools in Mount Pleasant did not have enough areas with low-income students to meet the threshold to be eligible for CEP.

Campbell says that without the expansion of the CEP, the price increase likely would have needed to be higher to keep up with inflation.

“If you look at the consumer price index since the start of the pandemic in the food area, it has risen 23 percent,” Campbell said. “We don’t see ourselves coming back in the next three years because we are going to put other things in place to strategically keep things balanced.”

The 50-cent increase for lunch would bring the department an additional $437,000 in additional income. Campbell says his staff works hard to cut costs and work as efficiently as possible.

“Nationwide, 16 to 18 meals per labor hour is the norm. We run about 21 meals per labor hour because our folks are efficient. It helps us keep a balanced budget,” Campbell said.

Individual students in Mount Pleasant and the other schools affected by the price increase would still have the opportunity to apply for free and reduced meals. Campbell says his team has an extensive outreach effort every year to help families apply for that program.

The price increase proposal still needs to be approved by the full school board but if it is approved the price change would go into effect next school year.

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