The Third Annual First Flush FesTEAval is right around the corner! The Charleston Tea Plantation and The Bridge at 105.5 are proud to host one of Charleston’s premier events on Saturday, May 16th, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Join Bigelow Tea in celebrating the start of American Classic’s harvest season, and bring the whole family for a fantastic day of live music, tasty foods, a ton of games for the kids, and over 40 local artists from the Folly Beach Artist Guild — and, of course, ALL of the American Classic Iced Tea you can drink!

This year the Charleston Tea Plantation welcomes an outstanding entertainment lineup to the First Flush Stage. Headlining is Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, performing his classic hits as well as songs from his vibrant new album, honeydew (released in 2008 by Vanguard Records). Other outstanding performers for the FesTEAval will include Alternate Routes, Jay Clifford, Sons of Bill, and Wadmalaw Island’s own New Bethlehem Baptist Church Heywood Jubilee Choir, and Edith L. Frierson Steppers.

The First Flush FesTEAval will also have an array of everyone’s favorite foods, served up by Hometeam BBQ, Savory Market, M&C Catering, T&T Original Kettle Corn, Charleston Festival Foods, Charleston Cookie Company, Chick-Fil-A, Island Soulfood Café, Irvin House Vineyards, and much more!

Besides being such a fun event, the First Flush FesTEAval is also a unique experience for everyone, celebrating the first harvest of America’s ONLY tea garden. First Flush is defined as the escalated growth of new leaves on tea plants in the spring, after a winter of rest. The FesTEAval is a celebration of harvesting that “first flush”. The Charleston Tea Plantation invites you to experience the production of what avid tea drinkers know as the most unique, fresh, and amazing cup of tea — American Classic’s First Flush.

Be sure to MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Saturday, May 16th!

With over forty years experience in every facet of the tea industry, William Barclay Hall knows everything there is to know about tea.  Originally from Canada, Mr. Hall received his formal training in England in the late 1960s:  first with Brooke Bond, LTD, then the largest tea packer in the world and later, with Van Rees, the largest tea trader in the world then and now.  Interestingly, during his training, Mr. Hall would taste up to 800 cups of tea a day.

After mastering tea packaging and tea trading, Mr. Hall then went on to spend a number of years in the US food industry, buying and consulting about tea.  He later became a highly sought after and respected tea broker, traveling extensively throughout the tea growing regions of the world in search of the perfect cup of tea.

Well, he found it – at the Charleston Tea Plantation – America’s only tea garden, located in Charleston, South Carolina.  He purchased the plantation in 1987 and later partnered with Bigelow Tea, which has owned the plantation since 2003.  Everyday Mr. Hall lends his forty year tea intelligence to all aspects of tea production at the Charleston Tea Plantation, ensuring production of the highest quality of tea. Together, William Barclay Hall and Bigelow Tea have transformed the Charleston Tea Plantation from a plantation into a beautiful and educational tourist destination as well.  A “must see” for tea lovers and tourists alike.

The William Barclay Hall/Bigelow Tea duo gives new meaning to “Tea for Two.”

For more on Bill Hall and the Charleston Tea Plantation, go to www.bigelowtea.com.

Aaron Lawrence knows…

After winning the R.C. Bigelow Incentive Program, territory rep., Aaron Lawrence was treated to a weekend at the Charleston Tea Plantation, which is the largest tea garden in the country.  As you can tell from the photos, Aaron really enjoyed learning all there is to know about making tea.  Aaron even made some new friends.  According to Aaron, “The Charleston Tea Plantation is a great way to learn about tea and tea history.  The staff is incredibly friendly and the site is magnificent.  I would highly recommend making a visit whether you are a tea enthusiast or not!”  There is more information on the Charleston Tea Plantation at www.bigelowtea.com.