chuckography

The Old and the New....

 The 3rd annual Charleston Beer Garden had something for everyone.

Beer, of course, and pretzels and food trucks and live music.

But, out on the Ashley River, something was going on that caught everyone's attention.

A "Jetski-powered FLYBOARD."

Attach one end of a long hose to the output of a Jetski and the other to a modified snowboard with two water jets and away you soar.

I don't know if it was part of the planned event or just some gutsy daredevils in swimsuits.

I saw something like this online in a Fireman's Rodeo where  a first responder tries to "ride" a charged hose.

If you've  ever dropped your garden hose, you know the power in that small tube.

It hops and skips over your yard, spraying everything at random.

Would not want this dervish whirling around like crazy in MY front yard.

This rider seemed in control as he went up, down, almost making a loop and dunking himself a few times.

Watching all that activity made me thirsty so maybe it was part of the organizer's plan.

As I understand it, about two years ago some SUNOCO gas stations began to dispense beer as well as gasoline.

The Craft Beer Exchange is available at convenience store stations in New York state... and here in Charleston.

The Beer Garden outdoor fun day was started to let the local people know about this new "convenience" store.

The map that was handed out Saturday shows 14 stations in this area where you can top off a 64 ozs. growler (glass jug) to truly "fill 'er up."

In addition to this new water activity, an old standby from the 1950s also was artfully displayed - The Hula Hoop.

Used properly, it twirls around your body and a smooth flexing of the hips and torso keeps it spinning.

This young lady was very good at keeping the round hoop in motion.

I learned years ago NOT to attempt doing what she made look so easy.

I wandered around Brittlebank Park, sipping on 3 ozs samples from different brewers.

Checking on different learning centers, I saw sessions aimed at home brewing and other topics.

Gives a new meaning to "home schooling."

It was a beautiful day and the event was well planned.

Entry was computer tracked so the admission ticket I bought weeks ago popped right up and I went on in.

FREE water was dispensed at several sites around the park so all the bases were covered for a mild day in May in the Lowcountry.

Yes there were ample players engaged in Corn Hole, the popular beanbag tossing activity.

A nice "court" was set up and each side took turns tossing and turning.

As the afternoon wore on, it appeared the target was shrinking.

More  and more tosses missed the board completely as the beer flowed.

The admission price included a souvenir plastic pint cup and tickets good for five 3 ozs samples.

I tried a few beers that were new to me and eventually settled on a pint of porter Espresso from Palmetto Brewing Company, the oldest in Charleston.

As the sun sank slowly in the West, the crowd dwindled.

Many probably were heading out for an early dinner but I wanted to hear the complete set by Patrick Blake's Whiskey Diablo.

They finished at exactly 7:59 pm.

Hula Hoop lady was there to the end, doing her thing.

And doing it well.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

Attend Beer Gardens responsibly.

Labels: " corn hole, 3rd annual Charleston Beer Garden, Brittlebank Park, Dirty Bourbon River Show, Earth Fare, food trucks, hula hoop lady, Jetski-powered "Flyboard, Noah Adams

posted by chuckography @ 7:12 PM