This Labor Day weekend, I enjoyed the Southern Grown Festival at Sea Island with my friends. If you’re not familiar with the Southern Grown Festival, it’s a weekend celebration filled with food, drink and music and is hosted by Sea Island and Garden & Gun! In addition to the weekend festival, Sea Island presents a concert series at Rainbow Island throughout the year as part of Southern Grown.

On Friday night, Garden & Gun kicked off the weekend with dinner and a show — featuring the GRAMMY Award-winning band, Steep Canyon Rangers from Asheville, North Carolina. They’re best known for their work with actor Steve Martin. I absolutely LOVED this bluegrass band and hope to see them again soon in concert. The dinner was delicious, but I especially enjoyed my favorite Chocolate Chess Pie from Southern Baked Pie Company (which started in Gainesville, Georgia.)

On Saturday, there was a gorgeous oceanside dinner with entertainment from Beau + Luci. Later that night, Drive-By Truckers (from Athens, Georgia) put on a show under the full moon at Rainbow Island. The weather was absolutely perfect — mid-70s with clear skies. I sipped Richland Rum (local artisan rum from Richland, Georgia) and enjoyed Southern Soul BBQ, while listening to the band throughout the night.

On Sunday, we gathered for a traditional Southern Brunch that included biscuits and gravy, as well as homemade donuts from Certified Burgers and Beverage. Afterwards, I headed to the Southern Grown Marketplace–presented by the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE). There were dozens of unique Southern artists and purveyors showcasing fine art, education and the sporting side of all things nature and wildlife. There were even falconry and bird bog demos and gardening tips from the Broadfield Garden Manager, Sean Rakoczy. It was the perfect way to finish a Labor Day weekend filled with great food, wonderful music and memorable events!

All Photography Courtesy of Eliot VanOtteren of Sea Island