I can hardly wait for this year’s Southern Grown Festival hosted by Sea Island and presented by Garden and Gun! I’ve attended this weekend celebration of food, drink and music for two years now and it’s been such a great tradition! This year, I’m really excited to announce that I’ve been asked by Garden and Gun to be a tastemaker. I’ll be sharing my tips and tricks on how to curate the perfect Southern home bar! I’m so honored and grateful to be a part of this special event. So mark you calendars for August 31st to September 2nd!

On Friday night, Garden & Gun kicks off the weekend with dinner and a show — featuring Nashville-based Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. The event will be filled with prohibition-style drinks and incredible food by guest chef Kenny Gilbert all on the Black Banks Terrace. The next day is filled with workshops, demos and a marketplace for all things southern. That night, you’re invited to Rainbow Island to hear the GRAMMY-nominated band NeedToBreathe from South Carolina. Come early for food truck fare and beverages. And before you depart for the weekend, enjoy a traditional Sunday brunch at the Beach Club, complete with all of the Southern staples, live music and of course — Bloody Mary’s.

I hope to see you there! You can find out more about the festival and purchase your tickets at http://www.southerngrown.com/festival.  Also, check out my past blog posts on last year’s festival, A Southerner’s Cookbook Luncheon and A Dinner and A Show.

Photography by Tamara Gibson