Mild weather draws crowd of thousand-plus to Bluffton oyster roast

More than a thousand people were expected to pass through Oyster Factory Park on Saturday for the Bluffton Rotary Club's annual oyster roast.

The club's main fundraising event, the oyster roast had already sold approximately 700 tickets in advance, organizers said, and club members were expecting to sell an additional 300 or more before the last oyster was shucked.

"The event usually sees more than a thousand," said member Bob Ward as he manned the ticket table on Saturday.

As the craft beer flowed and empty shells piled up around the park's grounds, many took advantage of the mild weather to just sit outside and enjoy themselves.

"It's a lot warmer this year," said Pat Kramer, who, along with Cammy Gibson, had set up their chairs overlooking the Oyster Factory's parking lot and the May River.

It was the third year the two had attended the event. Their first, the two said, was almost unbearable.

"It was freezing, and it was windy," said Kramer, who was watching the sun slowly set across the river. "But this is nice."

Back at the ticket table, Ward said the event attracts a lot of people who not only enjoy good food but like coming out to see friends and neighbors every year.

"It's a real social and community event," he said.

In addition to donating to various charities and worthwhile projects, the club has members of all ages and backgrounds -- something Ward, a Sun City resident, said he particularly appreciates.

"We have a lot of young professionals, and that's nice to see," he said.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the organization should consider attending a meeting, he said. The club meets at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at Oscar Frazier Park in Bluffton.

Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Mild weather draws crowd of thousand-plus to Bluffton oyster roast."