Bluffton Village Festival a big hit with thousands

Thousands poured into downtown Bluffton on Saturday for the 38th annual Bluffton Village Festival or the town’s own version of a Mayfest.

There was food, art, live music and more as they came by the busload — transported from a parking area at Red Cedar Elementary — to shop, eat and participate in such activities as the annual pie-eating contest.

In fact, while children outnumbered the adults in the contest, Josh Quinn, a Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, delighted the crowd after he made short work of a chocolate cream pie.

“There was a point there when I didn’t feel like I could get it all down,” Quinn said, after he was crowned victorious as the fastest eater.

Across the jam-packed Calhoun Street inside The Store, owner and longtime Bluffton resident Babbie Guscio was busy greeting customers and visiting with old friends.

Guscio, who founded the event nearly 40 years ago, said she remembered thinking Bluffton would be “the perfect setting” for such a festival.

“I just thought why not bring a little fun and excitement and music to Bluffton,” she said.

Seems that many have agreed. By midday, Calhoun Street was teeming with browsers, like Marc and Sharon Bigley, looking for a unique or interesting “find.”

The Bluffton couple had already filled a shopping tote with items they’d purchased at the festival — a dragonfly yard ornament and a T-shirt bearing the longitude and latitude of Bluffton.

The couple said they try to make it to the festival every year, particularly for the arts and crafts and The Church of the Cross’ famous shrimp salad sandwiches.

“You gotta try the shrimp salad,” said Marc Bigley.

Sharon Bigley agreed, adding that she enjoyed just “walking, browsing and looking at everything.”

“And we always bring cash,” laughed Marc Bigley. “And we always run out.”

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Bluffton Village Festival a big hit with thousands."