Tree Servicein Sullivan's Island, SC

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – It’s a popular tradition that many participate in right here along the South Carolina coast – braving the cold ocean temperatures for a quick dip (and we mean quick) to welcome the new year.

One of the first polar bear plunges dates back to the early 1900s when the L Street Brownies in Boston took the plunge into the icy cold Dorchester Bay in 1904. The club has been celebrating the new year with a plunge ever since, according to NationalToday.com.

While many take the dip for fun, some plunge into freezing waters to raise funds for charities. It’s also believed the dips boost the immune system, activate endorphins, and reduce stress.

Dunleavy’s Pub on Sullivan’s Island organizes its polar bear plunge each year in support of Special Olympics of South Carolina. The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in myriad Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Plungers will gather on the beach for the pub’s 29^th annual polar plunge at 2:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Dunleavy’s Pub is located at 2213 Middle Street on Sullivans Island.

Over on Seabrook Island, plungers will gather for the town’s polar bear plunge at North Beach near Boardwalk 1 at 10:30 a.m. Attendees can then warm up near a bonfire while sipping on some hot chocolate.

Finally, Folly Beach will host its 10th annual Bill Murray Look-a-like Polar Plunge on the beach New Year’s Day. Hundreds of people attend the Polar Plunge each year, many of whom come dressed as their favorite Bill Murray characters.

There is a costume contest that starts at 12:30 p.m., and the plunge takes place at 1:30 p.m. beachside at the Tides Hotel.

Ocean temperatures are currently at about 56 degrees in Charleston Harbor. The temperature along the beaches is expected to be around 58 degrees under a mostly sunny sky on Jan. 1

Giant swaths of sand were washed away on Charleston-area beaches as a result of this week’s nor’easter, officials reported. Folly Beach, the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Kiawah Island — sites expected to be filled with tourists this summer — were especially hard hit.

Folly Beach’s sand dunes were pushed back as much as 20 feet. Kiawah Island reported up to 50 feet of erosion, with the highest erosion rates occurring around delicate Captain Sam’s Spit.

The Isle of Palms recorded beach erosion without providing specific measurements.

“We had a little bit of a buffer going into this thing that there’s really not much buffer left anywhere,” said Eric Lutz, director of public works on Folly Beach in discussing the tons of sand lost there.

He added that without the sand dunes that were there, damage on the island would have been worse.

Dunes offer protection from flooding and are meant to be “sacrificial,” he said.

“They’re doing what they’re supposed to do, but it is pretty catastrophic to the naked eye when you walk on the beach and see it,” Lutz added.

‘Greater than anticipated’

On Sullivan’s Island, a nearly 10-foot tide and churning waves battered the dunes and covered Thompson Park, the historic site of a Revolutionary War battle, washing away sand. Officials closed access to the park as a result.

“The dunes were beat up pretty bad by the high tide and the wave action, so we saw a loss of the dune in many areas on the beach,” Sullivan’s Island Town Administrator Andy Benke said.

As of the afternoon on Dec. 19, several roads on Sullivan’s Island remained flooded with standing water. The town’s stormwater infrastructure was overwhelmed by the heavy rainfall, Benke said, and it could take up to three days for the water in the streets to completely drain away.

COLUMBIA — Though it can sound counterintuitive at first, U.S. Forest Service specialists are going to set parts of South Carolina forests aflame to reduce the threat of fires.

Prescribed burns will be conducted throughout Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests over the next six months, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Feb. 8. The goal is to remove excess vegetation and dead wood from the natural habitat of plants and animals, which left unchecked could enable wildfires to spread wider, quicker and longer.

“Applying prescribed fire on the land at the right place, at the right time, under the right conditions, benefits the land,” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Pamela Baltimore said, adding that prescribed burning is “a critical management tool to improve plant and animal habitat and the resiliency of forest landscapes to withstand drought, insects and disease.”

Smoke is likely to appear in various parts of the forests while officials conduct the burns and could spread to nearby communities. Motorists are asked to use their low beams if they notice smoke on the road.

Forest Service fire specialists are planning prescribed burns on 50,000 acres in the Francis Marion National Forest in Charleston and Berkeley counties. Call the district office in Huger at 843-336-2200.

Burns are prescribed for 55,000 acres in Sumter National Forest, broken up into three ranger districts.

The first district’s fire specialists plans to conduct burns on 10,000 acres in Oconee County. Rangers with the second district will conduct burns on 20,000 acres in Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry and Union counties. The third district covers 25,000 acres across Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda, Abbeville and Greenville counties.

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — People across the nation made a splash along the coast this new year.

Here in the Lowcountry, Dunleavy's Pub on Sullivan's Island hosted its 29th annual New Year's Day Polar Plunge. Plungers dove into 2024 and in the process, helped raise nearly $17,000 for South Carolina Special Olympics.

Read more: Murray-mania: Bill Murray look-alikes dive into Folly Beach for annual polar plunge

"This is one of my favorite parts," Special Olympics athlete Kylie MacFarland said. "I mean, everybody's donating, everybody's helping out and, and Sue's been here all helping out, so it's been a great day today."

It was a cold way to ring in the new year, all with a special cause in mind. The streets of Sullivan's Island were packed with polar plungers ready to make that big splash.

"It was like I expected," Emma Grace Funderburk said. "Very cold, but then once I got further out and just the longer I stayed in there, the better it got."

Dunleavy's Pub has been pairing with Special Olympics South Carolina since 2003. All fundraising from the annual New Year's Day event goes directly to the organization, allowing them to support the state's over 30,000 athletes.

"It goes directly for athletes like Kylie to participate, to pay for their uniforms, to pay for their transportation, their lodging, facilities, everything that goes on for them," Executive Director for Special Olympics South Carolina Sue Maner said.

The group sold t-shirts and hats, or people could choose to sponsor athletes ahead of their upcoming seasons.

For some locals, this Sullivan's Island Polar Plunge is a tradition they can't pass up.

Read more: MPPD's Polar Plunge scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Windjammer

"My husband and I think this was year 15 and this was our girls first time," Cameron Liebetrau said.

For others, 2024 was year one, but most likely, not the last time they hit the beach on the first of the year.

"This was a good start," Jason Phillips said. "Doing something we hadn't ever done and them getting ready to go back to school, so you know, what better way to do it."

The countdown to 2024 is on and it’s not too early to secure your plans. If you want to be out on the town for New Year’s Eve + New Year’s Day, Charleston has lots of events and celebrations. Keep reading to explore some.

New Year’s Eve - Sunday, Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Dinner | Times vary | Azur + Azur Events, 159 Market St., Charleston | $85

Join Azur for a six-course, French-inspired New Year’s Eve Dinner. Enjoy menu items like champagne, Foie Gras, Caviar, A Harmonious St. Jacques Feuilleté, Frosty Parisian Delight.

New Year’s Eve at Aquarium Aglow | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | SC Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston | $34.95

You don’t have to be a night owl to enjoy this family-friendly party which features food, drinks, and animals.

The Wonderer Masquerade of Wonder | 9 p.m. | The Wonderer Charleston, 1705 Meeting Street Rd., Charleston | Prices vary

Immerse yourself in a night of enchantment and adventure under the stars. There will be indoor + outdoor themed areas and all-inclusive bars, light bites, three stages of live entertainment, aerialists + acrobatics, and more. The suggested attire is “dress to impress” with masks.

Sorelle New Year’s Eve Party | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Sorelle, 88 Broad St., Charleston | $175

Dance the night away with live music, passed canapés, and select beer, wine, and cocktails.

New Year’s Eve at the Alley | 9 p.m. | The Alley, 131 Columbus St., Charleston | $85

Enjoy a night of silent disco, music from DJ Phamtastik, free bowling + arcade games.

Studio 34 Disco Party | 9 p.m. | 34 West Theater Company. 200 Meeting St., Ste. 100, Charleston | $100

Take a step back into the 70’s and dazzle under the stage lights. This experience includes an open bar, local + curated bites and sweets, prizes and live music from DJ KIMI, and a special appearance from DYSCO KNGZ.

NYE Midnight in Paris | 10 p.m-1 a.m. | Félix Cocktails et Cuisine, 550 King St., Charleston | $125

This soiree includes bites, specialty cocktails, a champagne toast, and a midnight balloon drop. Parisian chic attire is encouraged.

Sparkle + Swine | 9 p.m. | Farm Haus Butcher and Beer Garden, 604 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant | $0-$250

Groove into 2024 listening to local Charleston Band, Hans Wenzel + special guests. There will also be complimentary party favors + champagne and specialty curator appetizer spreads

New Year’s Studio 71 Party | 8 p.m. | Islander 71, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms | $150

The evening will be filled with live music, an open bar, chef-curated food station, and a special “Studio 71” lounge. Reservations are encouraged but walk-ins are accepted.

New Years Day

2024 Dunleay’s Polar Plunge | Jan. 1 | 2 p.m. | Dunleavy’s Pub, 2213 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island

Start your new year with a great cause, the Special Olympics South Carolina

Polar Plunge Party | Jan. 1 | 10 a.m. | Paradiso Charleston, 4401 McCarthy St., North Charleston

Plunge at the hotel pool for a refreshing dive into the new year. Afterward, guests can warm up by the fire pits and treat themselves with cocktails at the Bloody Mary station.

Many of those visiting Charleston know that downtown is a hot spot for restaurants, but where should folks visiting one of the local beaches eat? From barbecue to noodle bowls, these island eateries can offer a wealth of choices for the hungry wave jumper or sunbather.

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Before a day at Folly Beach, frequent visitors know to hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The cafe has something for everyone on the menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling curry nachos, dahl, and curry meatballs. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines from across the globe, including nods to the South, which is always good while sipping a few craft beers.

Self-proclaimed “chill ass bar,” Lowlife offers expertly crafted cocktails, queso, local shrimp rolls, double cheeseburgers, and more in a hip and lively beach space. Lowlife also serves brunch every day of the week, so it’s like a vacation within a vacation.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are lively and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings, like the Korean beef tacos stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak or the sauteed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for "the ugly boy," Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Bert’s Market isn’t a restaurant, but it is an icon on Folly Beach. The 24-hour corner store is well known as stop for made-to-order sandwiches and just about everything else you need for a day at the beach. Bert’s puts it best: “Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters, and regular folk, Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.”

Dining at Sullivan’s Fish Camp is like stepping onto a sailboat out of the 1970s. The retro-chic restaurant is one of the chicest on the island. The menu includes fish camp classics, like peel-and-eat shrimp and smoked fish dip, paired with more modern offerings, like a tuna smash burger or Nashville hot grouper cheeks.

Diners can eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood just a few steps from the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson, the Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Visitors should order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, lamb meatballs, and more comforting dishes.

Contemporary Italian eatery Coda del Pesce sits right on the beach at Isle of Palms. Customers can watch the ocean while ordering from chef Ken Vedrinski’s seafood-filled menu. Make reservations early for dishes like the snowy grouper with peanut potatoes, grapes, and Castelvetrano olives.

Before a day at Folly Beach, frequent visitors know to hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The cafe has something for everyone on the menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling curry nachos, dahl, and curry meatballs. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines from across the globe, including nods to the South, which is always good while sipping a few craft beers.

Self-proclaimed “chill ass bar,” Lowlife offers expertly crafted cocktails, queso, local shrimp rolls, double cheeseburgers, and more in a hip and lively beach space. Lowlife also serves brunch every day of the week, so it’s like a vacation within a vacation.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are lively and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings, like the Korean beef tacos stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak or the sauteed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for "the ugly boy," Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Bert’s Market isn’t a restaurant, but it is an icon on Folly Beach. The 24-hour corner store is well known as stop for made-to-order sandwiches and just about everything else you need for a day at the beach. Bert’s puts it best: “Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters, and regular folk, Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.”

Dining at Sullivan’s Fish Camp is like stepping onto a sailboat out of the 1970s. The retro-chic restaurant is one of the chicest on the island. The menu includes fish camp classics, like peel-and-eat shrimp and smoked fish dip, paired with more modern offerings, like a tuna smash burger or Nashville hot grouper cheeks.

Diners can eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood just a few steps from the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson, the Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Visitors should order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, lamb meatballs, and more comforting dishes.

Contemporary Italian eatery Coda del Pesce sits right on the beach at Isle of Palms. Customers can watch the ocean while ordering from chef Ken Vedrinski’s seafood-filled menu. Make reservations early for dishes like the snowy grouper with peanut potatoes, grapes, and Castelvetrano olives.