Sea Island Southern Grown Festival 2018

It is a well-known fact that Southerners take pride in their culture and heritage. That pride shines extra bright here each year during Sea Island’s Southern Grown Festival. This fabulous foray into all things Southern will return on Friday, August 31 through Sunday, September 2 and anticipation is building already. This fourth annual commemoration of the distinctive culture of the South gives guests ample opportunity to taste, sip, learn about, and experience this region’s unique cuisine, craftsmanship, music, and tradition. Past years’ festival events have brought the very finest musical talent, culinary genius, and unparalleled art and craftsmanship to the grounds of our own storied pillar of Southern hospitality: Sea Island Resort. This year will be no different. Chef Kenny Gilbert and Gena Knox will be dishing up deliciousness and some Southern musical groups who’ve amassed large and loyal followings: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and NEEDTOBREATHE will provide the melodic entertainment over the weekend.

On Friday, the festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. on The Cloister’s Black Banks Terrace with the Garden & Gun Kick-off Dinner and a Show. This evening steeped in Southern tradition will feature the culinary stylings of guest chef Kenny Gilbert, prohibition-styled libations, and the fabulous music of Nashville-based band, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and opening act Hank Compton, with the gorgeous setting of the Black Banks River as the evening’s backdrop.

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Julie Andrew

On Saturday, the Southern Grown Marketplace presented by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will be open between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Artisan vendors celebrate nature and wildlife through fine art, education, and sport. “How to be a Southerner” workshop sessions taking place between 10:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday are an added element of fun this year. These workshops and demonstration sessions could be considered a primer on the finer points of being a Southerner. They touch on the very keystones of Southern culture: bow ties and booze, hounds and hospitality, sporting and Southern cooking. This is your chance to learn Southern heritage and culture from the best.  On Saturday night, Grammy- nominated South Carolina band NEEDTOBREATHE will take center stage on Rainbow Island as headliners for the Southern Grown Concert. Wilder will open for them. You’ll want to come out early to enjoy food truck fare and beverages at the pre-concert shindig. Sunset fun overlooking the marsh and great music under the stars in this gorgeous setting is hard to beat.

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Sunday, the Southern Grown Marketplace presented by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so you can nab those purchases you eyed on Saturday. The perfect weekend send-off will be the Southern Grown Sunday Brunch at The Beach Club. Enjoy an oceanside brunch with all the traditional Southern fare, including Bloody Marys, of course! And there will be live music to blend with the sound of the waves. What an ideal way to close out a fabulous festival.

All access-ticket packages are $425 and include all events and concerts, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the hospitality suite on Friday and Saturday, and a welcome bag. A ticket for Friday’s Garden & Gun Kick-Off Dinner & Show with concert by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors is $160. A ticket for Saturday’s Southern Grown Concert featuring NEEDTO BREATHE is $75. Tickets can be purchased at southerngrown.com, where you can also find detailed information about all events. You won’t want to miss this distinctly Southern celebration!