Tempting your appetite: Landmark Park prepares for 10th Annual Low Country Boil

Good food served from wheelbarrows. Family fun. Fellowship. Entertaining Bluegrass-style music.

Those are the ingredients that will make the 10th Annual Low Country Boil the place to be for Wiregrass families. This fall fund-raiser for Landmark Park will be held Thursday, September 17. It will be held in the Stokes Activity Barn. Tents will also be available for those who enjoy outdoor dining.

Entertainment, provided by Pure and Simple, a local Bluegrass band, will begin at 6 p.m. Food will be served at 7 p.m.

“When we started this event, we were wanting to do something that is fun and would raise money for the park,” said William Holman, executive director of Landmark Park. “At the beginning, it was held in the Cooley Barn.”

That venue was outgrown as the event continued to grow. Recent Low Country Boils have drawn crowds of 600 or more.

“It’s been a great event,” Holman continued. “The large crowds have been a challenge for the cooks to feed that many people.”

Chris Bradshaw of The Blue Plate Restaurant will be the lead cook. Volunteers will assist in the effort.

Bradshaw’s meal will be prepared in a 60-gallon kettle. It will include shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes and onions. Once cooked, those ingredients will be poured into wheelbarrows. Those attending the event will be served from the wheelbarrows.

“The atmosphere of the event is unique,” Holman said. “We will feed our guests from a wheelbarrow. The food is actually dumped on the table.

“It really is a relaxed, informal gathering that is open to families.”

Activities have also been planned just for the children.

“We will have wagon rides for the kids,” Holman said. “We will serve hot dogs for them. In addition, The Barnyard (Landmark Park’s playground) will be open.”

Unlike most of the event’s hosted by Landmark Park, the Low Country Boil requires the purchase of advance tickets.

“We have to order the food in advance,” Holman said. “For that reason, we have to make this an advance ticket only event.”

Holman noted tickets can be purchased from any Landmark Park board member or from the park office.

“We have a limited number of reserved tables that will seat eight,” Holman said. “Those tables are $450 for the general public and $400 for park members. Individual tickets are $60 for the public and $50 for park members.”

In light of the current economic environment, Holman says this event is very important for Landmark Park.

“We’re definitely encouraging people to support us this year because of the economy,” Holman said. “It’s real important for us for this to be a success.”

Holman says the Low Country Boil puts the cap an a successful season at the park.

“It is a great way to end the summer,” Holman said. “We invite the public to come out and enjoy the food, the music and visit with their friends.

“Pure and Simple will provide the entertainment throughout the evening to go along with the good food.”

Dress for the event is casual.

This year’s Low Country Boil is sponsored by Adams Beverage, Ameris Bank, Hamp and Emily Baxley, Dade Paper, Dothan Printing and Litho, William and Carroll Flowers, Merrill Lynch, Nantze Springs, Tom and Ellen Parks, The Blue Plate Restaurant and U.S. Business Products.

For more information or to order tickets for the Low Country Boil, contact the Landmark Park office, 794-3452.