The South Eastern Wildlife and Environment Education (SEWEE) Association now has tickets on sale for the annual event that brings the best of local music and delicious local oysters together for a fund-raiser to support their environmental education programs and special projects with the coastal National Wildlife Refuges and the National Forest.

The seventh annual Music and Oysters for Wildlife event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m.

The Sewee Outpost will host this afternoon of fun for all ages behind their location at 4853 Hwy. 17N in Awendaw, just 15 minutes north of Mount Pleasant. After last year's raving success, the event will once again open with the Lincoln Middle/High School Steel Band - something you definitely want to see. Steel Band - oysters - what else can you want!

Tickets to the rain or shine event include the music and all-you-can-eat oysters.

According to director Karen Beshears, "We can never be sure about January weather, so we have over 6,000 sq. feet of tents to keep you warm and dry in case the weather is not the best. Just bring your oyster knife, gloves and a chair if you wish for the music and be prepared to have a great afternoon."

Advance adult tickets are $35 per person ($40 the day of the event) and children under 12 are free.

Tickets can be purchased through the association's web site www.seweeassociation.org now or at the Sewee Outpost.

There will be BBQ, burgers and hot dogs for sale along with beer, wine and sodas.

There will be many wonderful items in the silent auction line-up this year, including getaway weekends to Goat Island, Pawleys Island, Edisto Treehouses and Dewees Island; hotel stays in Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Myrtle Beach and Mount Pleasant; a fishing adventure in Georgia; Creekrider paddleboard; Half Moon Outfitters kayak; painting sessions at Fear No Easel; barre sessions at Pure Barre; nature tours and other services.

This is your chance to get one of these prized items and help support the SEWEE Association as well!

The SEWEE Association is the Friends Group for the National Wildlife Refuges and National Forest of coastal South Carolina.

In their work with Cape Romain, ACE Basin and Waccamaw Refuges and Francis Marion Forest, they support biological projects such as the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting project on Cape and Bulls Island, the Red Wolf project at the Sewee Center and enhancement of trails for visitors.

They are responsible for the education programs for students and teachers at the new Waccamaw Environmental Education Center on the PeeDee River in Georgetown and at the Sewee Center in Awendaw, including the Sewee Earth Stewards programs with 13 elementary and middle schools in the Lowcountry.

They also provide professional development for local teachers through multiple workshops throughout the year and this year shared their knowledge and experience with other National Wildlife Refuge staff and volunteers as well. Proceeds from this event are critical.