It is time again for the original Octoberfest event in Polk County.

The Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce will present the 21th annual Shuckin’ & Shaggin’ event, Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5-11 p.m. at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) in Tryon.

Activities begin at 5 p.m. with DJ Jeff Foster, “The Juke Box,” playing a mix of shag, disco, line dancing and plenty of slow dancing. Under the tents, there’s all-you-can-eat seafood and more.

The menu consists of oysters roasted over an open fire, jumbo shrimp and mussels cooked up using the chamber’s well known delicious recipe, wings, chicken gumbo, coleslaw, rolls and dessert, draft beer fresh from Budweiser of Asheville and several varieties of wine. Non-alcoholic beverages to cater to your taste will also be available.

There is one ticket price for alcohol and one for those who do not wish to drink.

A bonfire will light up the sky after dark as you dance away the hours under the pavilion or just sit and pop open fresh oysters next to the fire. Seating is available in all areas of the event.

Tickets can be purchased at the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce office. If you want to purchase your tickets via phone, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted at the chamber office only.

Tickets are not sold at the door; the cut-off for ticket sales is Oct. 16.

For more information, call the chamber at 828-859-7427.

– article submitted by Christina Feagan