When the Clinton Main Street Committee pulled out all the stops back in May for the first-ever Dinner on Main event, we thought it could not be topped. After all, it was a perfect night, with bright blue skies, delicious food and a magical camaraderie forged from a love of community and a shared meal around a communal table.
Yet less than three months later Tyler Wise, Debbie Roberts, Kay Raynor, Bill Scott, Meredith Horne, Wendy Dorman and the rest of the downtown committee did it again.
A little hotter, a little more casual but under the same beautiful blue skies, Sunday’s Low Country Boil brought Vance Street to life much in the same way as its sister event had done.
This time, just over 200 guests dined along the back side of Sampson’s courthouse, the majestic building a backdrop to Vance Street’s table-lined thoroughfare. White tablecloths were replaced by brown paper ones, necessary for the seafood boil that filled bowls to their brims. The sidewalk became a suk of sorts, with an open-air market feel complete with paper boats piled high with bright red crawfish, local fare of boiled peanuts, a tin boat laden with oysters on the half shell fighting for space in between bright yellow lemon peels, and, just around the corner, cool watermelon shooter mocktails, speciality margareedys and cold beer, courtesy of The Reedy Mark, the Tipsy Nurse and R&R Brewing.
And, all the while, the talents of Chad Thompson and the DJ inspired music of Ross Kimbro wafted along the street, settling into the rhythmic taps of dozens of feet.
Laughter hung in the air and hugs were as readily available as the smiles of people glad to see one another or happy to have made a new acquaintance.
It was, just as in May, a magical evening, one that will be talked about for days, weeks and even months to come. And why shouldn’t it be? Any time an event can bring community leaders, newcomers, out-of-towners, and long-time residents together around one table to break bread together, it deserves to be touted, shared and remembered for the one-of-a-kind event it truly was.
Just as we noted in an editorial after Dinner on Main, the Low Country Boil highlighted a camaraderie that we continue to believe is uniquely ours here in Sampson County. It’s the friendships born out of a love for this community that makes Clinton and Sampson County so special, and that love was once again on full display Sunday night.
Also on full display was the hard work of the dozens of people it takes to pull off such a magical night with such great aplomb.
Our hats are off to them all, starting with the wait staff, cooks and chefs from Killin’ Time Grillin’, Earl & Jerrys, Ribeyes, the Oasis Oyster Bar & Grill, Tyndall’s Seafood and Bianca Johnson, all who made the evening a palatable parade of tastes fit for any king or queen. Then we turn to Dorman, who offered her talents, providing the ambiance that gave Vance Street a coastal feel.
All put blood, sweet, tears and much time into making this event the huge success that it was, and we offer them our thanks and our gratitude for a job more than well done.
We offer a great deal of praise to Roberts, Wise and the entire Main Street team as well, a true team of individuals armed with a love for our community, big dreams and a determination to turn them into realities.
Roberts is, as always, the dream weaver. Her visions become our realities every time she sinks her teeth into a new project, and what realities they are.
When each person stepped onto Vance Street Sunday night, they entered Roberts’ latest dream, and they lived it for a couple hours, dazzled by the brilliance of a street turned into a communal table where differences were set aside for the things that bring us together: food, fellowship and community.
Like Dinner on Main, the Low Country Boil highlighted the beauty of our city, celebrated the best things within us all, raised money for revitalization efforts and shed a brilliant light on a community made stronger by “the bonds forged, the bonds reinforced and the ties that bind it all together.”
There’s really no better way to spend an afternoon or evening.