George King (right), pit master of Can’t Quit Smokin’ BBQ, and his partner, Gary Freeman, will be serving up the goods at this weekend’s benefit.
RIDGEWAY — A special event combining the casual style of jeans, the sound of bluegrass music and the taste of barbecue will help supply some vital needs in the Fairfield Memorial Hospital ER. The BBQ, Bluegrass and Bluejeans Benefit will be held at The Farm at Ridgeway (north of Blythewood), on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 6-9 p.m.
Dawn Catalano, Executive Director of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, said the event is being held for the second year at The Farm, an elegant barn designed as a working stable, but renovated by Larry and Eileen Sharpe of Blythewood who purchased it with an event venue in mind.
“It’s the perfect venue for us,” said Catalano. “Larry and Eileen have renovated it beautifully. It’s spacious and comfortable. We’ll have tables both inside and on the veranda at the back side of the barn which has a beautiful view of the paddocks, woods and pond. The feel is both casual and elegant at the same time. The event was so successful here last year that we wanted to come back.”
The barbecue will be provided by the official S.C. State Barbecue Champion for the past two years, the “Can’t Quit Smokin” team of George King and Gary Freeman of Ridgeway. Live music for the event will be provided by “Total Denial,” a homegrown S.C. bluegrass band. And there will be ample room on the newly bricked stable floor for dancing, Catalano promises.
Additional entertainment for the night will be live and silent auctions. Dr. Mack Hughes will emcee the live auction, assisted by WIS-TV anchor Dawndy Mercer Plank , that will include signed footballs from Clemson & USC, hotel and Bed & Breakfast stays, an Edisto Beach condo weekend, a new BMW for a weekend, many art objects, jewelry, restaurant certificates, golf rounds and baked goods. There is even a miniature horse for auction. It will be stabled outside during the evening.
Proceeds from ticket sales and the auction will fill a number of important needs in the hospital’s emergency room, such as a portable vital-signs monitor. Tickets are $30 each or $50 per couple (kids under 10, $10; kids under 6, free). Tickets may be purchased at First Citizen branches in Winnsboro, Ridgeway, Blythewood and the Village at Sandhills, Summer Day Gifts in Winnsboro, Blythewood Visitor’s Center, and the hospital lobby. Or mail a check for tickets to FMH Foundation, PO Box 1156, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180. Tickets will also be available at the barn door on the evening of the event.
So buy a ticket, pull on your jeans and add a little bling for a great evening of bluegrass music, dancing on the barn floor and some of the best barbecue you’ve ever eaten . . . and you’ll be helping others at the same time.
For additional information, contact Catalano at 803-608-5510. The Farm is located just north of Blythewood at 3248 US Highway 21 South in Ridgeway.
