Bulls Bay Nature & Heritage Festival

Bulls Bay Community brings the 10th annual Bulls Bay Nature & Heritage Festival to the Lowcountry May 17. Federal and state natural resource agencies, local schools and conservation organizations and outfitters come together for a one-day celebration of nature, culture and community. Engaging outdoor activities and programs that highlight the Bulls Bay unique natural areas and its cultural history occur in the Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site and at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, the central location for the Festival in Awendaw.

The Bulls Bay Festival brings activities and tours for all ages. It’s a day filled with Gullah Geechee heritage stories and programs, photography, sweetgrass basket workshops, fly fishing and bird banding, bird and butterfly walks, edible plant and wildflower walks, historic tours, indigo dyeing demonstrations, kayaking, and pond fishing. Enjoy live birds of prey, red wolf and reptile programs. Especially for the kids are archery, insect and pond explorations, fishing workshops, nature crafts and face painting.

The Wildlife Art Exposition, showcasing artwork created by local students from St James Santee, CREECS, and home schools will be on display at the Sewee Center. Local art, crafts and native plants will be for purchase. The day is filled with musical entertainment and includes Lowcountry Hall of Fame Musicians Danielle Howle and Greg Smith, the Black River Band, Awendaw Community Singers, Lowcountry Gospel Group and Hank and Friends.

Local crafts artisans, conservation exhibitors and food vendors are at the Festival throughout the day. Crafts, art, lunch fare and tasty treats are available for purchase.

The Bulls Bay Nature & Heritage Festival is a free event, made possible by the generous support of sponsors and volunteers.