Lowcountry Boil

By Alyson Murphy

The dog days of August have just arrived and I am sure sitting on the beach, let alone next to a fire, is the last thing on your mind. It was only weeks ago we were skipping out early from work to claim a parking spot on Sullivan’s Island, yet now the thought of leaving the house anytime between noon and 6 p.m. seems arbitrary.

Fall will soon bring that refreshing crisp chill in the air. Our wardrobes and weekends will take simultaneous shifts as we retire the lily dresses and carefree beach trips until next year and welcome boots and more structured itineraries (aka football).

As much as we appreciate our hair finally looking half decent now that the humidity has subsided, it’s not uncommon to find yourself wishing to be back on the beach with a warm breeze just one more time before winter graces us with her unpredictable presence. Last year my friends and I decided we would make this wish come true by celebrating a couple of friend’s birthday parties back on the beach with a bonfire and music.

It only takes a minimum of 24 hours to get a permit for this, however, with social calendars already booking up for the fall, I figured I would give you a head start on how you can organize a bonfire for your own group of friends and family. Go to the Sullivan’s Island website and fill out the fire permit paperwork. Then submit $250 check deposit for residents/$500 cash deposit for non-residents. For 50+ people, you must submit additional paperwork to the fire department. Next, convince your buddy who plays guitar to bring the entertainment. Finally, clean up all trash and put fire out by 11 p.m. It’s that easy!