By Robin Gibson

Each organization admits to scaling back the scope of events by limiting ticket sales.

Two major festivals responsible for entertaining locals and attracting tourists alike have announced plans to move forward with hosting next year's events despite the challenges of COVID-19. The38th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festivalpresented by the Charleston Restaurant Foundation and theSoutheastern Wildlife Expositioncommonly known as SEWE are proceeding with caution in January and February of 2021, respectively. 

Each organization admits to scaling back the scope of events by limiting ticket sales. Additionally, SEWE is reducing its physical footprint from multiple locations to the Brittlebank Park area, while the Lowcountry Oyster Festival is requiring masks and cashless transactions.

“Even during these times of uncertainty, there is a spirit among SEWE that calls upon us to aim for an event in 2021. For nearly 40 years, SEWE has brought us together on Presidents’ Day Weekend and we are committed to continuing these traditions next year,” said John Powell, Executive Director of SEWE. Working closely with the City of Charleston, the highly regarded wildlife art festival is making safety its top priority.

The Lowcountry Oyster Festival, meanwhile, is entering its 38th year of fundraising for various culinary nonprofits and educational programs, as well as worthy causes such as the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Shriner's Hospital for Children, and the Coastal Conversation Alliance to name a few.  

Both events have been added to the Charleston Grit calendar.Will you make plans to attend?