Over the weekend I spent my Saturday at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. I had been there once before during the dead of winter and didn't get the chance to enjoy the beauty around me. At the park, the Oblique Fitness Expo was going on with a 5 hour spinning marathon that benefitted Louie's Kids (www.louieskids.org). As those hard core fitness buffs rolled along, I basked in the sun at one of North Charleston's secret treasure...ok, not so secret, but lets say "less populated". The breeze from the river kept everyone cool and the cutest little older gentleman (who was a park ranger)  rode around on his golf cart making sure everyone was staying safe. I studied the sculptures around the park, from a wire 10 foot tall water bottle to a metal horse that looks as if it was made with car parts...the splash of art added the right amount of funk to differentiate it from the parks around town. This was not the North Charleston I remember as a kid.

North Charleston does get a bad rap but like a bad haircut, eventually it will grow out and look great again. Right now, N. Chuck is in its growing out stage and it's one of the best things that has happened to our community. The Park Circle area is booming, it's charming quaintess and homey feel makes you want to grab a seat at Madra Rua, grab a frosty one and cheers your friends. Starting May 1st, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take over the city. This nine day celebration has something for everyone!Here's some info from the North Charleston website www.northcharleston.org

"Exciting entertainment is provided by over forty national, regional, and local professional performers, ethnic and cultural groups, and community groups. Individual Events begin on Friday, May 1, and continue through Saturday, May 9. Concerts, theater and dance performances, children’s programs, literary events, and multi-cultural block parties are just some of the offerings during the Festival Week. The Performing Arts Center and the Charleston Area Convention Center host the Main Event Weekend, Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. Features include the eighth annual SC Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Exhibition, the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show, music, theater, and dance performances, exhibitions of fine art, photography, and youth art, free children’s art activities and performances, Arts & Craft vendors and a Festival Food Court. The Grand Finale at Riverfront Park will present a variety of concerts and activities, as well as a fantastic fireworks display in celebration of what is sure to be a successful 2009 Arts Festival"

See...I told you it was something for everyone!So hats off to everyone in North Charleston who is making this possible- including  Mayor Summey. Any political official that's willing to crowd surf, compete in a spelling bee and just completely be himself in public is pretty cool in my book. I hope you have the chance to enjoy North Charleston the way I have....and hope to see you at the North Charleston Arts Festival! - Ryan