Feast for the Senses

by

Have you heard it? The buzz about the St. Simons Land Trust’s 2024 Oyster Roast begins making its way through the Golden Isles in the early fall every year, and by the time tickets go on sale in December, the buzz becomes a clamor. In less than a month, more than 1,000 tickets will have been purchased, and the Oyster Roast will once again be a sold-out event. **UPDATE: Tickets fully sold out within approximately 36 hours.**

But why? What is it about this annual fundraiser that makes it the most beloved community event in the Golden Isles?  Let us try to paint the picture…

It’s nearly 4:30 PM on January 20, 2024, and you’ve arrived at Gascoigne Bluff Park on St. Simons Island. As they always do, those moss-draped live oaks and views of the Frederica River take your breath away. The beat of the music from a live band and the smells of roasted meat, fresh seafood, and steaming chowders set the mood for a night of festivities.

You’re checked-in by friendly volunteers, receive a wrist band indicating you can enjoy adult beverages, and immediately walk under a large banner that reads, “St. Simons Land Trust – Preserving the Natural and Scenic Character of Our Island.” If it hadn’t hit you before, it hits you now. The fun you’ll experience over these next few hours is about far more than just the food, drinks, and music. It’s about giving back to the island community you love and supporting an organization working hard to preserve its wilderness areas, green spaces, culture, and history. Now, that’s a good feeling!

Once “inside” the event, you get a quick lay of the land. You take note of the two bar locations: one near the entrance and one towards the back of the event space. Then, you spot the oyster tables to your right, which are already piled high with oysters ready for the taking. For those who love steamed or fire-roasted oysters, this section is a must-do. You may even find yourself lingering there longer than expected because the oysters just don’t stop coming, with volunteers pouring bucket after bucket on the long tables!

Moving on, you look to your left and see a multitude of booths displaying the familiar names of the area’s most popular local restaurants. You recognize Halyards, The King and Prince, Sea Island, Southern Soul Barbeque, The Westin, Jekyll Island Club, Ember, Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, and more. Their offerings include all your favorite foods: shrimp and grits, low country boil, crab cakes, seafood chowder, barbeque, fried chicken, breads, and desserts. At this point, your stomach starts to rumble…loudly. Thankfully, it can’t be heard by those around you because the live music is energizing the crowd.

Over the next three hours, you’re participating in a night to remember as you gather with friends and family, eat, drink, laugh, and dance. You stay warm by the Sea Island Forge fire kettles and stay full because of the generosity of all those restaurants offering a bounty of delicious coastal fare. This unforgettable experience that engages all your senses is what makes the Land Trust’s Oyster Roast one of the most-anticipated events in the Golden Isles every year. This annual fundraiser gathers the community together in the name of coastal conservation and helps raise money to preserve the natural and scenic character of St. Simons.

“The Land Trust’s Oyster Roast is a top priority for us every year,” says Greer Brown, the Land Trust’s board chair. “It’s a homegrown event that is the perfect culmination of location, food, music, and people all supporting and celebrating an organization dedicated to preserving the attributes that make St. Simons Island such a special place to both residents and visitors.”

The first SSLT Oyster Roast was held at Village Creek Landing in 2000 (the same year the organization was founded) with 70 guests in attendance. But 70 people was far more than had been expected. The oysters were soon gone and had to be supplemented with hotdogs and other quickly purchased food. As the event grew, so did the venue (and the amount of food!) that was required. The Oyster Roast soon moved to Fort Frederica and included a lovely array of buffet items such as fried chicken and low country boil. Finally, after reaching ticket sales of more than 600, it relocated permanently to Gascoigne Bluff Park where 1,000 tickets are sold every year, and the area’s best local restaurants provide delicious coastal cuisine for its attendees.

The Land Trust’s staff is quick to say that they wouldn’t be able to host the event without the help of the many local businesses that support the organization. “It absolutely would not be possible without the many restaurants and businesses who give so generously,” says Emily Ellison, the Land Trust’s Executive Director. “These partners provide us with special menu items, with staff time, and with financial support. We couldn’t make this happen without community leaders like Charlie Williams of Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grill and Fiddlers, and Steve and Sandy Schoettle of Sea Island Forge, steaming and roasting the oysters every year, or Bob Thompson spending the night on the grounds, or Chef Dave Carrier cooking hundreds of pounds of low country boil. If we didn’t have a happy band of dedicated, hard-working volunteers, there is no way we could pull off such an event.”

This year, participating restaurants will be included in the inaugural SSLT Oyster Roast Coastal Cuisine Contest. The competition will give attendees the chance to vote for their favorite dish of the evening. Be sure to try a dish at each restaurant booth so that the favorite dish of the night will give the winning restaurant bragging rights all year long.

The Land Trust staff also knows the Oyster Roast would not be possible without its nearly 150 event volunteers. These dedicated supporters begin helping months before the event, lead efforts to set up the day of, assist with parking, check-in all 1,000+ attendees, serve food and drinks, ensure trash and recycling are handled properly, and break down the event afterwards. On January 20, they will be there once again in their red volunteer aprons. And with the growing number of guests and food booths at the event, their help will be needed more than ever.

The 2024 Oyster Roast promises to be unforgettable! With award-winning performers Elli Perry and Andrew Sovine providing live music all evening long, it might be hard for you to leave. Elli is a Georgia native who has worked as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer since she was a teen. She has released multiple albums of original material, designed and co-directed award-winning music videos, and written charting songs for other artists. Her music seems to defy genres, shifting from Southern Gothic blues and folk to experimental alternative rock and roll. Andrew Sovine is a multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and composer. His work has garnered multiple Grammy nominations. In addition to his touring and recording work, he also owns and operates The Back Room Record Studio in Savannah, Georgia.

×

1 of 2

Andrew Sovine

Andrew Sovine

×

2 of 2

Elli Perry

Elli Perry

So, be sure to mark your calendars for January 20, 2024, and join the Land Trust for another memorable evening under the twinkling lights at Gascoigne Bluff Park. Let’s get ready to have some FUN while helping to preserve what we love most about St. Simons. See you in January!

The 2024 Annual St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast:

Date & Time:  Saturday, January 20, 2024, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Location:  Gascoigne Bluff Park, St. Simons Island

Fare:  Oysters - Low Country Boil - BBQ – Fried Chicken – Desserts -- Other Southern fare from local restaurants - Beer - Wine - Live Music – Raffle

New This Year: Coastal Cuisine Contest – vote for your favorite dish!

Tickets: $125 Order online at sslt.org beginning December 4, 2023. **NOW SOLD OUT**

Current Land Trust members receive a special discounted rate of $95, with early access to ticket purchases, beginning December 3, 2023. Note: Discounted member price is limited to four (4) $95 tickets per household.

Learn More: sslt.org