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Good morning, {{first_name | Palmetto Parent}}!
FLOWERTOWN FESTIVAL IS HERE!
We love the Flowertown Festival and are so excited to support the local vendors (looking at you, pineapple whip truck) this year. The festival kicks off today, April 4th, and is open from 9am-6pm. Tomorrow’s hours are 9am-6pm and Sunday’s are 9am-4pm.
If you’re new to Summerville, The Flowertown Festival is Summerville’s biggest annual event, celebrating spring with hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, local food, and family-friendly fun under the blooming azaleas. It’s held throughout Azalea Park and stretches all the way through downtown Summerville. Catch the youth festival with lots of kid’s rides and fun at the intersection of E 6th and Main. The Summerville Farmers Market also kicks off on Saturday as a part of the festival. You can find the farmer’s market vendors in the First Citizens Band parking lot between 8am-6pm.
You can see more updates and information about vendors on the Flowertown Festival Facebook page. For all the other boring but necessary details like where the bathrooms are located, where to park, and the map, click here.
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March Madness: The Ultimate Summerville Showdown!
We have our March Madness crowned champions! After your nominations and multiple weeks of voting to complete our “brackets,” Ashley River Park won as the best park in Summerville and Page’s Okra Grill won as the best family-friendly restaurant. Thank you so much for participating in the fun and congrats to our six randomly drawn participants who won one of the six gift cards to Page’s! Our winners have been notified by email. 🙂
TO DO
Strawberry Picking at Westbury Farms
One of my favorite spring traditions is heading over to Westbury Farms for some good old-fashioned strawberry picking—right in the heart of Summerville. There’s just something magical about being on a quiet little farm, filling a basket with sun-warmed strawberries, and then popping over to Aldi five minutes later to finish my grocery list. Even though it’s nestled between Main Street and Berlin G. Myers Parkway, Westbury truly feels like a hidden gem—a peaceful, quaint farm tucked right into town.
This past Monday started off dreary and tired, but a spontaneous trip to Westbury totally turned things around. As I was making my grocery list and adding the usual fruits my boys plow through, I remembered we could pick our own strawberries for $22/gallon. Obviously, that sounded like the better option—and way more fun. My son wasn’t as interested in filling the basket this year, but he had the time of his life digging in the massive sand pile with his cousin. There were toy trucks, shovels, yard games, and hula hoops, and it quickly turned into a full-on playdate.
I may have done most of the picking (50+ squats with a 20-pound baby strapped to me should count as a workout, right?), but I didn’t mind—it was peaceful and rewarding. And if you’d rather skip the bending altogether, the adorable farm market offers freshly pre-picked strawberries and lots of local goods to browse through. My son left with a stick of rock candy that made our post-pick Aldi run much more enjoyable.
What to Know Before You Go
📍 Location: 1005 North Gum Street, Summerville
🕒 Hours: Open daily from 10am-5pm, but always check their Facebook page for updates—weather can affect picking conditions, and occasionally the fields need a rest day to replenish the berries. They also sometimes need to close early due to all the berries being picked.
🍓 Price: $22/gallon for U-pick | Pre-picked strawberries available in the market
The strawberry season typically runs through the end of May, so there’s still time to make this a part of your spring. Whether you’re filling a basket, letting the kids play in the sand, or just swinging by for some fresh fruit, Westbury Farms is one of those Summerville spots that reminds you how sweet and simple life can be.
Want to switch it up? Here are some other strawberry picking locations in the Charleston area:
Hickory Bluff Berry Farm — Holly Hill, ~30 minutes from Summerville
Boone Hall Farms — Mount Pleasant, ~40 minutes from Summerville
Ambrose Family Farm — Wadmalaw Island, ~50 minutes from Summerville
Wabi Sabi Farms — Cordesville, ~45 minutes from Summerville
Bugby Plantation — Wadmalaw Island, ~45 minutes from Summerville
Click each name for the hours, address, and more details. Please note that berry availability and operating hours can vary due to weather and crop conditions. We recommend contacting the farms directly or checking their official websites or social media pages for the most current information before planning your visit.
LOCAL EVENT
Berlin Bunny Bike + Walk
We’ve all been watching the progress of the new Berlin G. Myers Parkway Bridge, bit by bit, over the past several months—steel rising, pavement being laid, anticipation building. Now, Summerville families have the rare opportunity to be a part of history before the first cars drive across it!
Join Summerville Parks & Recreation and the Summerville Parks Foundation for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk, run, or bike the bridge before its grand opening. Whether you're a runner, a cyclist, or just want to stroll with your little ones and soak in the view, this car-free celebration is for you.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, April 12
📍 Starting Line: Off Luden Dr. on the new Berlin G. Myers Parkway
🚗 Parking: Available at Newington Elementary and Flowertown Elementary Schools
Schedule:
🕗 8-9am: Registration + festivities (meet the Easter Bunny, take photos, enjoy food trucks, and look out for golden eggs!)
🚴♂️ 9:00am: Bikers start
🏃♀️ 9:15am: Walkers & runners start
This family-friendly event welcomes all ages, and kids under 5 attend free! Every adult registrant will also receive a special commemorative gift to remember this unique day.
We’ve loved watching the bridge come to life—and this is your chance to do more than just drive over it. Come walk, bike, or run it before anyone else. Take in the view, snap a photo, and say, "I was there when it opened." 🏅
Register here:
Don’t miss this historic community celebration—we’ll see you out there!
SPONSORED BY
The Dream Maker Agent
The Secret To Selling? Using an Agent To Get Your House Noticed
In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked sellers what they want most from a real estate agent. The number one answer was to help market their house.
It makes sense. The way your agent markets your house can be the difference between whether or not it stands out and gets attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert local agent that knows what they're doing.
According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes, and how you benefit when your agent uses them effectively:
Listing on the MLS – Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. And that’s great for you because having your house on the MLS helps it get more visibility from other agents and buyers. And the more people who see it, the more likely it is to sell.
Using a Yard Sign – A yard sign may seem simple, but it’s one of the best ways to catch the attention of people driving or walking by. And when it does, they’ll help spread the word to friends and family who are looking to buy that there’s a house for sale in the area. It also puts your agent’s contact information on display, making it easy for interested buyers to get in touch.
Having an Open House – An open house is a great way to create a sense of competition and urgency among buyers – and that can lead to stronger offers. And since you’ll only need to leave once for many buyers to visit, it makes the process easier for you, too. Plus, an open house helps your agent get real-time feedback about what buyers love and what they're not as sold on.
Showcasing on Your Agent’s Website – Having your house on your agent’s website presents it in a professional way to buyers. And odds are, people visiting your agent’s website are serious and ready to make a move, so this is a smart way to get in front of motivated buyers.
Social Networking – Posting your house on social helps get your house in front of buyers who may not have seen it with traditional marketing. It also makes it easy for people to share your listing with friends and loved ones.
Providing Virtual Tours – For buyers who are relocating from out of town, virtual tours allow them to check out your house anytime from wherever they are. This helps reach more potential buyers who may not be able to come to see your house in person.
Using Video – Video is an excellent way for your agent to show off some of the top features of your house like your kitchen, large closets, outdoor entertainment areas, and other key details that could attract buyers.
Sending Emails – Sending out information about your house to your agent’s expansive database is another way they’ll get it in front of even more people. Great agents may even send emails teasing that your house is coming to the market as a way to boost interest and excitement before it officially has an open house.
Here’s what it comes down to. Most good agents will write a description of your house for the listing and pair it with high-quality photos. But a great agent will do so much more than that. They’ll not only lean on their expertise, they’ll put in the time and effort to make sure your house makes an impression on buyers, and ultimately, sells.
Bottom Line
As a seller, working with a creative local real estate agent is a smart way to ensure your house grabs the attention of the right buyers. If you’re ready to sell and want to talk about strategies we can use to get your house sold, let’s chat.
-Ernest, [email protected]
RESTAURANT
DonutMakes
If you’re on the hunt for delicious donuts, DonutMakes is the spot locals are raving about. Tucked away just off Berlin Myers, this cozy little shop might be easy to miss—but trust us, you don’t want to skip it.
Their donuts are made fresh daily and come in an incredible variety of flavors—from classics like glazed, chocolate iced, and jelly-filled to creative picks like maple bacon, Fruity Pebbles, and cookies & cream. Whether you’re into bold or traditional, there’s something here to satisfy every craving.
But it’s not just about donuts. DonutMakes also serves up fresh breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and delicious coffee drinks—including iced lattes, hot espresso, and flavored options that pair perfectly with their sweet treats. It’s a one-stop shop for breakfast (or dessert... or both).
What People Are Saying:
“These are the best donuts we've ever had in my life. All other donuts are dead to us!”
“Love, love, love their donuts! The best for sure!”
“Everyone in our office loves them...we buy them frequently. They have the best coffee as well.”
Location & Hours:
📍 Location: 205 Grandview Dr. Unit H, Summerville
🕒 Hours: Monday & Wednesday-Friday 5:30am-1pm, Saturday & Sunday 6am-1pm, closed Tuesdays
Whether you're grabbing a dozen for the office, surprising your kids with a sweet morning treat, or just fueling up with coffee and a breakfast sandwich, Donut Makes is one of Summerville’s tastiest hidden gems. Go early—they sell out fast!
PALMETTO PIECE
How Lucky I Am
We’re keeping it simple today with a poem I came across from Poems of Parenting—because sometimes a few heartfelt lines say it best. The challenges of parenting are so real, but as one of my favorite bands from my middle/high school years, Relient K, once said, “Perspective is a lovely hand to hold.” Let’s carry that reminder with us this week—and take a moment to reflect on just how lucky we are.
Love,
The Berks 👨👩👦👦