Folly Beach, South Carolina — Every Thanksgiving on Folly Beach, one local bar morphs into more than just a drinking establishment; it becomes a community dining room where anyone can stroll in, grab a dish, and feel right at home.
For two decades, Follywood Bar has sponsored a big, free potluck where locals, regulars, and even out-of-state guests bring their distinctive dishes to feed whoever shows up. What began as a simple concept between the bar’s owner and his grandmother has evolved into an annual tradition that attracts visitors from all across the country.
DJ Rich, the owner of the bar, remembers how it all began. “It’s a potluck dinner we do for Thanksgiving,” he told me. “When Grandma and I first got a place 20 years ago, we started it.”
Over time, the tradition spread. First, the regulars joined in. Then word of mouth spread the idea further than Rich had anticipated.
“Now we have tourists who come in every year,” Rich told me. “They look forward to the food, and they have such a good time.”
Inside the bar, tables were rapidly filled with handmade casseroles, ham, sweets, and meals passed down through generations. Every offering was free, and all guests were welcome.
Jim Aderhold, a visitor from Tennessee, was among those in attendance. For him, this is more than just a pleasant stop; it’s a Thanksgiving ritual.
“We are here for four days with the sole intention of coming here and meeting the same people we met last year,” he told me. “That’s all it’s about. “This is America.
Tracy Stambery, another long-time attendee, has been coming for almost a decade.
“This is our eighth year coming here to celebrate Thanksgiving,” she told me. “This is like our second family.”
Among the crowded tables and the joy of familiar friends reuniting, one subject emerged repeatedly: thanks.
“There’s a lot going on in this world, but the backbone of America is loving each other, caring for each other, feeding each other, and whatever is left over, give it to somebody,” Aderhold told the crowd.
For Rich, that spirit is precisely why the potluck has persisted.
“We want to make sure we remain community-oriented,” he told me. “Let’s all stick together. Neighbors are helping neighbors. “It’s always fun.”
To keep the goodwill going, Follywood Bar provides a donation jar for anyone who want to give but did not bring a dish. According to Rich, the bar donates every $1 received to someone in the community who is in need.
A simple dinner shared by strangers has become a poignant reminder of what Thanksgiving can be like when charity is at the core.
