A Hilton Head Island tradition that was canceled last year due to COVID-19 is back for the holidays.
The annual Thanksgiving dinner at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks is back in 2021. The family meal will take place from 11 am to 3 pm on November 25th.
“It’s just beautiful,†said Andrew Carmines, owner of Hudson’s. “We’re just super excited.”
Last year’s cancellation was prompted by warnings from health authorities that COVID-19 cases could increase after holiday events.
“It created a pretty big void,” Carmines recalled in an interview on Monday.
He added that he had not previously realized how important the meal is to the community. The tradition started in 1999.
In 2021, organizers will encourage volunteers and Thanksgiving dinner attendees to wear face masks, Carmines said, and decide whether additional coronavirus restrictions are needed as the holidays approach.
COVID-19 cases have plummeted in recent weeks following a devastating summer wave, but health experts are wary of winter.
More than 1,500 people gathered at Hudson in 2019 to share their company around food, according to earlier reports from The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
About 350 volunteers also spent the holidays serving the community.
The 2021 dinner is sponsored by the Waterfront Restaurant and St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church. About 200 people have already signed up to volunteer, Carmines said on Monday.
The meal is free, but volunteers accept donations to benefit The Deep Well Project, Second Helpings, and Bluffton Self Help.
On the menu this year: roasted turkey breast, orange and maple glazed ham, Miss Bessie’s braised beef shank sprouts, tangy cranberry confit, “turkey†whipped potatoes, crusted sweet potato soufflé of marshmallow, offal jus, southern cornbread stuffing, French baguette slices, banana pudding, spicy holiday pumpkin pie and apple lattice pie.
