Once again, Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company brings you the Friday Five. Get out and enjoy the mild fall weather by choosing an activity from these five events happening around the Lowcountry. This weekend, light up the night, help raise funds for four-legged friends, or enjoy a night at the disco. Have a safe and happy weekend!

It’s that time of year when oyster roasts abound, and this weekend is a good one for oyster shuckers! The 13th Annual Palmetto Society Oyster Roast takes place Friday, November 17th, at the Visitor’s Center Bus Shed downtown. Tickets include oysters, beer, and wine, but there will also be food trucks on site, raffle prizes, and merchandise tables.

Also on Friday, The Alley (a favorite local spot for bowling, arcade games, delicious food and beverages and more) will celebrate their fifth anniversary with their annual ’70s-style blowout Studio 300. The theme for this year’s event is Candy Land, which means the whole place will look like a Wonka-style wonderland! Don your best disco-inspired outfit and dance to disco-infused tunes. Tickets include open bowling, an open bar, and much more. Proceeds from the party benefit local nonprofit Be A Mentor.

Visit Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre on Saturday, November 18th, for Lights Up, which includes a laser light show and the lighting of the shopping center’s 40-foot Christmas tree. There will be a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick himself, live music, giveaways, a jump castle, face painting, and more! Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Charleston Animal Society hosts its biggest fundraiser of the year on Saturday: the 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Oyster Roast. Over 100 teams will compete in the chili cook-off with traditional recipes plus vegan and vegetarian options. And don’t forget the oysters! Entertainment will include a mechanical shark, bounce house, bubble soccer, and more. Lots of furry friends will be there as well, eagerly awaiting adoption.

This weekend is the first of Buy Local Month, Lowcountry Local First’s “strategic initiative to encourage our citizens to buy local and keep holiday dollars flowing within our community.” As a local small business, buying local and investing in the community is extremely important to us. Get started on that Christmas shopping by checking out LLF’s Buy Local Market Calendar at the link above. We’ll be doing our part during this month-long initiative to buy local as much as possible!