Get into the 'Spirit' at the Education Village
If you want to get a true idea of what the Spirit of South Carolina is, visit the Education Village at this weekend's Charleston Maritime Festival.
There, under the 40-foot-by-80-foot tent in the middle of Ansonborough Field dubbed the Education Village, you'll see on display the 300-plus essays that were submitted to a contest The Post and Courier held earlier this year for fifth- and sixth-graders across the state.
Allison Baker, a Chapin Elementary School fifth-grader, won with her answer to "What is the Spirit of South Carolina?" As part of her prize package, she christened the state's own tall ship, The Spirit of South Carolina, when it was put in the Charleston Harbor on March 4.
In addition to the essays, the Education Village is also the site for hands-on educational activities by 13 local organizations and groups, including Queen Quet and the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Botany Community Conservation Sea Turtle Project, South Carolina Maritime Foundation, South Carolina Aquarium, US Army Corps of Engineers, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium and more.
Surrounding the Education tent, the Children's Village offers kids the chance to learn about local maritime history, build a model sailboat, learn to tie knots and more.
"There will be many things for kids to do," says Meaghan Van Liew of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation.
Other activities include play in an inflatable pirate ship jump castle, sliding down an inflatable dolphin, face painting, tattoos and more.
Youngsters can also compete in a pirate costume contest at 3 p.m. daily.
About 50 pirates will camp in a corner of Ansonborough Field for the weekend. There, they'll roast a pig, fire cannons and, three times a day, run "Learn to Be a Pirate" school. Visitors are welcome to check out the area.
In addition, there will be live music in the nearby Shipyard throughout the festival, Van Liew says.
"Parents can go through the activities on the fields and then grab lunch and sit and listen to the music," she says.
Family-friendly activities, such as boat displays and sailing lessons, also take place at the waterfront.
Entry to the Village and most activities are free. There is a charge for some of the activities, such as the inflatables and face painting.
The Children's Village will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
