Farmers Market Vendors Unite to Protect Angel Oak

Submitted

The Charleston Farmers Market will be awash in images of the iconic Angel Oak on Saturday, September 21 as the city kicks of “Preserve Angel Oak Day” at its popular green market.

Representatives of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust (LOLT) will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise funds and awareness for their Preserve Angel Oak campaign. That effort is focused on raising a total of $1.2 million bySeptember 30 to secure 17 rural acres near the iconic Angel Oak. Prior to LOLT’s involvement, the acreage was zoned for private condo development. If the funds can be raised in time, LOLT can secure the property, keep it rural in perpetuity, and thereby protect the fragile eco-system of the Angel Oak.

Considered to be one of the oldest living things on the East Coast, the Angel Oak is situated on Johns Island, which is also home to dozens of farmers and artisans featured at the market. Community support of the effort has been enthusiastic, with nearly 10,000 individuals donating to preserve the tree since the late July kickoff.

During the market, vendors will wear special tee shirts and inform their customers about the campaign.  A green tent at the north end of the market will house LOLT volunteers, who will display maps, provide information and accept donations. To learn more about the effort, visit: http://www.lolt.org/community-initiatives/angel-oak-preserve.html

Saturday also finds a family-friendly event in the center of Marion Square: the Little Mozart Circus will be presented by Chamber Music Charleston from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also on tap: a live performance from local band Volcanoes in the Kitchen (10:30 to 1:30), whose band logo was inspired by the iconic tree.