Credit: Marit Elizabeth Photography
The Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Shucked & Sauced fundraiser on Feb. 2 brought together the community for an unforgettable afternoon of oysters, barbecue, and philanthropy. Held at the Rose Pavilion at Hampton Park, the sold-out event raised $40,000 to support the Conservancy’s efforts to enhance and care for Charleston’s public parks while providing free community programs and events.
With 90% of funding coming from private donations and corporate partnerships and 10% from the City of Charleston, the Conservancy depends on fundraising events like Shucked & Sauced to keep Charleston’s green spaces beautiful, sustainable, and thriving. Proceeds from the event directly support the horticultural care of local parks while expanding educational and recreational opportunities for the community.
“These funds not only sustain and enhance Charleston’s parks but also enable us to expand our community programming,” said Darlene Heater, CEO and executive director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. “It was incredible to see so many people enjoying Hampton Park for a great cause, and we are deeply grateful for the generosity of our supporters who make this work possible.”
The Conservancy remains committed to eco-friendly practices, not only in maintaining Charleston’s parks but also in hosting sustainable events. At Shucked & Sauced, 93% of waste was diverted from landfills, meeting the requirements to be considered a “Zero Waste” event by Keep Charleston Beautiful. This effort equates to 680 pounds of waste successfully diverted for recycling and composting.
The fundraiser showcased Charleston’s top talent, featuring award-winning chefs, pitmasters, and renowned restaurants, including:
- 167 Raw
- Bird Island Oyster Co.
- Coastal Catch
- Delaney Oyster House
- Graft Wine Shop
- Holy City Brewing
- Leon’s Oyster Shop
- Lewis Barbecue
- Marbled & Fin
- Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
- Poggio Costa Prosecco
- Rodney Scott’s BBQ
- Sorelle
- Steamboat Creek Oyster Farm
- Tempest Charleston
- The Darling
- The Obstinate Daughter
- The Ordinary
- The Smoking Pot
The Conservancy was proud to partner with Bird Island Oyster Co. and Steamboat Creek Oyster Farm, two of Charleston’s premier oyster farms, to provide the freshest local oysters while raising awareness about sustainable seafood and waterway conservation.
The success of Shucked & Sauced would not have been possible without the generosity of its sponsors - Happy Homes Property Manager sponsored the stage for the second year, bringing live music from Dallas Baker and Friends to the event. The Conservancy thanks event sponsors Blackbird, First National Bank, Maynard Nexton, PURE Insurance, QTrak, South State Bank, Anderson Insurance Associates, Liollio Architecture, and Smithey Ironware Co.
Sponsorship opportunities for next year’s Shucked & Sauced, February 1, 2026, are now available, starting at $1,000 with customizable packages. To learn how your support can impact Charleston’s parks, contact Emily Topham, Director of Development and Marketing at etopham@
