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The Great Shrimp Boil
Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: June 2023
The Low Country Shrimp Boil, set for July 15 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, is a delicious boost to the park's future.
Situated in the center of Highlands, Kelsey-Hutchinson Founder’s Park is a serene refuge from the hustle-bustle of nearby Main Street. Sixteen years in the making, and once the locale of the town post office, the downtown park is now the center of the city’s social life. Thanks to the persistence of a local committee and planning and fundraising by more than 300 contributors, the land was transformed into what is now a verdant oasis and has become one of the town’s most popular attractions. Since its opening in 2016, the park has served as an important nucleus for fund-raising events and music concerts and a venue for gatherings from winter ice skating to arts and crafts fairs, and seasonal farmers markets.
And every summer, Kelsey Hutchison sets the stage for one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated activities – the Lowcountry Shrimp Boil. Hosted by Friends of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park and regarded by many locals as one of the great communal eating experiences of the Highlands summer, the Low Country Shrimp Boil returns to Friends of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on July 15.
For those who appreciate the unique amalgamation of culinary tradition, the camaraderie of friends, and communing with nature, there can be no more enjoyable way to spend an evening. And of course, there’s the food – prepared by Highlands chef Marty Rosenfield. In the pantheon of great American seafood boilers, there is no one more devoted to the task than Rosenfield, who has a passion for sourcing the best ingredients and making them sing. He is well known for the artfulness he brings to the preparation of the Lowcountry Boil – a combination of zesty shrimp, sweet corn on the cob, smoked sausages, and creamy potatoes, simmered in a spicy broth. It is spectacularly delicious.
Though the park welcomes and accepts donations year-round, the “Boil” is the park’s only fundraiser. Bill Edwards, Event Coordinator, said, “The funds raised by the Shrimp Boil finance park projects, and all proceeds are used for beautification of the park, and every net dollar is used for that purpose.”
The ticket includes the Shrimp Boil, grilled vegetables, dessert, tea, and two tickets for beer or wine. The event is tented and will be held rain or shine. “Doors” open at 5:00, and dinner is at 6:00. Tickets are available at The Dry Sink and the Founders Park website foundersparkhighlands.org.
