19.19.19

The St. Simons Land Trust has been hosting its annual Oyster Roast since the organization was founded in 2000. This January will mark the 19th year of one of the community’s favorite gatherings on the Georgia Coast. This special night benefiting our island home is made possible by the participation of more than 50 local restaurants and vendors, 17 corporate sponsors, presenting sponsor Parker’s Convenience Stores, and a legion of volunteers. Since this 19th annual event will be held on January 19, in 2019, we’ve come up with – you guessed it -- 19 good reasons why you should attend.

Of course, for many people the oysters are Reason #1 to come out! Nearly 1,500 lbs. of sweet, fresh, plump, juicy oysters will be roasted over hot coals and tossed out by the hundreds for everyone to enjoy. You know that oysters are delicious, but did you know that they’re also good for you? Rich in B-12 vitamins, these crazy-looking mollusks provide more energy than a shot of caffeine. They boost immune systems, and they increase testosterone and sexual health. So, eat up!

And it’s not just the delicious meat of the oyster that makes them a valuable resource, Reason #2 is oyster shells. For generations coastal residents have recycled oyster shells to make tabby, one of the most durable building materials ever created. Made with a combination of burned oyster shells that create lime, the shells are mixed with wood ash, sand, and water. Tabby concrete was used by Spanish explorers who settled the coastal regions of the southeastern United States and was also a major construction material during the plantation era. Most of the ruins from that period, including the former slave quarters at Gascoigne Bluff, are made of tabby.

Today, one of the most important uses of discarded oyster shells is the creation of living shorelines, such as the one at Cannon’s Point Preserve. The reused shells, combined with wetland plants, create breeding and feeding grounds for aquatic life such as shrimp, crabs, and shorebirds. Building up the shores of our waterways with recycled oysters shells also helps to reduce erosion and protect coastal areas from flooding and storm damage.

This year, all oyster shells will be sent to Honey Creek Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center at Dover Bluff to help reconstruct the bluff that was severely damaged during Hurricane Irma. Their dock, environmental education building and chapel need protection from further erosion and your oysters will help do just that.

No matter how many oysters you eat on January 19, you can rest assured that those rough and knobby oyster shells, after being dried for six months, will be used to help keep our shorelines alive and our salt marshes clean, pure, and protected.

The Three B’s are Reason #3. That’s Beer, Barbeque, and Beans. These three things are perfect to accompany the main dish at any oyster roast. When award-winning, world-famous Southern Soul Barbeque provides the Q, you know it’s going to be delicious! And when the brisket is paired with Southern Eagle beer and the baked beans from Porch, you’ve really got something special.

The Low Country Boil provided by Bob Thompson and 1%-for St. Simons partner Creative Printing is Reason #4. Every year, Bob and his friends pull up a motor home at Gascoigne Bluff and fill his seasoned pots with fresh Wild Georgia shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn, to make the best Low Country Boil on the coast. What a feast!

“The Rule of R” is a good Reason #5. Oysters, it is said, should only be eaten during the months that have an “R” in the name: SeptembeR through ApRil. But the very best month for oyster roasting is in JanuaRy, when the weather is cool, briny breezes blow off the marsh and Frederica River, and oysters are at their peak. Don’t forget the date: JanuaRy 19!

You probably think that the Oyster Roast is only about having a good time. But there’s also an adult education component to the evening. Reason #6 for attending is learning how to properly shuck an oyster without slicing your hand. Oyster Roast veterans are happy to share their shucking skills (and maybe an oyster or two) with you.

We all love to act a little childish sometimes. This opportunity is our Reason #7! As an adult, where else is it acceptable to wear a bib amongst your friends? At the Oyster Roast, a bib is not only accepted, it may be required!

The nearly 50 other restaurants and food vendors are Reason #8. Sea Island’s fried chicken, mac and cheese, and chowder. Saint Andre triple cream brie in pastry with sundried tomato jam. From humble to haute cuisine, you can sample it all.

Okay, it’s not just about the food, right? There’s also music and dancing. That’s Reason #9. Jamie Renee & The Walkers will keep you entertained with their jazzy, folksy vibe. Strings, drums, piano, sax, and Jamie’s sweet Southern voice are perfect on a bluesy winter night.

Reason #10 is that it’s the 19th year! The first Oyster Roast in 2000 was intended as a Land Trust celebration for 20 people, and the event at Village Creek Landing drew a crowd of nearly 100. One of the organization’s founders, Frances McCrary, spent much of the night running out to buy more food. Every year since, the event has grown, and grown, with more than 1,000 guests attending in January 2018.

Gascoigne Bluff is not just a slip of land tucked up under the northern side of the Torras Causeway on St. Simons Island’s western edge. There’s history there along the Frederica River, and that’s Reason #11.  As you eat, drink and make merry, you can envision the Native American campground that used to be on the site. Or the Franciscan monastery once called San Buenaventura. The bluff was named for Captain James Gascoigne, a commander of the sloop-of-war, HMS Hawk.

It’s almost impossible to think about that bluff without also thinking of Reason #12, its live oaks. These magnificent, natural works of art contain some of the strongest wood in the world. Timber harvested from 2,000 Gascoigne Bluff live oak trees was used to build the USS Constitution (aka “Old Ironsides”) and five other US Navy frigates.

And then there’s the spectacular sunset over the rivers and Marshes of Glynn. Few sights are more beautiful than Reason #13. Sometimes those sunsets are bright red. Other times they’re orange, purple and pink, or blue. Whatever the hue, the setting sun over the Frederica River from the bluff is breathtaking and a reminder that the Golden Isles are a gift.

Starry Night. Not just a well-known Van Gogh painting, it’s also Reason #14. And even if the stars aren’t out, the Malone Electric twinkly lights hanging from the oaks and mixed among the moss add to the romance of the evening.

Romance brings us to Reason #15: Date Night! You might be calling the sitter, or you might be strolling under the stars with your love of 50 years. No matter your age or how long you’ve been together, there’s no better date night of the year. We’ll provide the food, the drink, the atmosphere, and the entertainment. You just provide each other.

And what a deal! Reason #16 is all about the bang you get for a night on the Bluff. It’s all of the above and more for only $60 (for SSLT Members) or $85 a ticket for nonmembers. And if you REALLY love a deal, but you’re NOT a current member, join the Land Trust by December 15 and take advantage of the NEW Member DISCOUNT of only $50 a ticket. (Special Discount is for $100 memberships or higher and there is a limit of two tickets at this special price with each new membership.) Get your tickets online at sslt.org before they sell out!

Everyone loves a hero, and the Oyster Roast has 100 of them for you! Our volunteers are Reason #17 and you can easily spot them wearing their red aprons. Most will have been working on the Roast for nearly a year. They do everything from cooking and pouring wine, to setting up tables and chairs, to decorating and stringing lights, to selling tickets, directing traffic, shucking oysters, and cleaning up. By the end of the night, you’ll know why “volunteers” is really understating their title.

Sometimes we all have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Attending the Oyster Roast is a perfect cure and that’s Reason #18. Don’t give in to FOMO on January 19. Join the others who wouldn’t miss one of the best-loved community events on the Georgia Coast.

We promised you 19 reasons, but the truth is that we think there are unlimited reasons to attend the Oyster Roast. The last we’ll share and best and most important reason of all is because you love St. Simons Island and you want to help ensure that it’s preserved, protected, and connected forever!