Hundreds visited the Bobby Alford recreation center at East Bay Park during the sixth annual Winyah Heritage Festival this weekend in celebration of the South Carolina Low Country hunting and fishing legacy.

The primary goal for the festival is to provide financial assistance to the Georgetown County Historical Society and Museum.

The heritage festival attracted people from the surrounding communities.

Kitty Cooper, a retired dietitian from Pawleys Island, and her brother, Bill Drake, who was visiting from Nevis West Indies, found the Palmetto Dock Dogs a main attraction.

Dock Dogs jump from the dock into a 26,000 gallon swimming pool. Jumps are measured where the base of the tail meets the water.

One of the top dogs of the day was Gunner, a German short hair pointer, who jumped 21 feet and four inches.

“I love the dog show,” Cooper said.

“I expected to see only labs, but there are other breeds here. I’m an outdoor person. A lot of people put a lot of money in these dogs and the children are really enjoying it.”

Another exciting exhibition was by the Chicora Indians.

The Chicora Indians have deep roots in South Carolina.

Some believe that the natives gathered in large numbers in the early 1520’s on the beach what is today Pawleys Island to observe the Spaniards coming ashore who entered through the north channel of what is now known as Winyah Bay.

Raven Wood, a native Cherokee Indian from Tennessee, played the Shaman Drum, dressed in his native attire and speaking in his native tongue.

Clyde Strickland, a native Chicora Indian from Myrtle Beach, sported a Regalia (a ceremonial head wear of the tribe).

As guests visited the booth, the group educated them on the Indian culture.

“We are all here to preserve the land,” Strickland said. “No matter what ethnic groups you’re from we are here to get along.”

At the children’s corner booth eyes lit up as the presenter held a live coral snake.

You could hear their reaction as the snake went up the arm of the presenter.

Jill Santopietro, the executive director of the Georgetown County Museum, said the festival excelled their expectations.

“The turnout was excellent,” Santopietro said. “The weather was cold but I believe that was good for outdoor people, and there was a lot of enthusiasm.”

2013 artists and exhibitors

Lee Arthur, a well-known artist, was chosen as the Winyah Bay Heritage Festival 2013 featured artist for his carving of an Atlantic Sturgeon.

Jerry and Roy Caines showed off hand-carved duck decoys, artwork, and prints.

Richard Cash with Seawinds Studios of Pawleys Island offered hand carved decoys, shorebirds, and songbirds.

Bart Key represented Tideline Outfitters.

David Lake of Pawleys Island offered antique decoys, fishing lures and a collection of vintage boating gear.

Carol Lueder, the owner of Fair Chase in Lexington, Va., offered out-of-print books for readers and collectors, figurines and sporting antiques.

Bill Nauss, with Rich-N-Tone Duck Calls founded in 1976, has won over 300 regional and state championships.

Ben Onley with Black River Trading Co., Inc. showed custom rods, duck calls, and lanyards.

Roger and Linda Clark, with In the Potter’s Hand of Lexington, demonstrated wheel-thrown stoneware using antique glazes.

Sarah Scott, with The Cottage of McClellanville, offered wheel thrown and hand built clay pottery.

Marshall Sasser of Conway featured wooden waterfowl decoys and shorebirds.

George Steelmon with The Angel Loft of Holly Hill, featured ceramic garden accents.

Wendy Shelley with BGN Interiors of Myrtle Beach, worked in oil and acrylics with wildlife as her primary subject matter.

John and Elaine Tanner, of the Indiantown Community in Williamsburg County. offered hand-carved box turkey calls and themed quilted wall hangings.

Waccamaw River Keepers/American Rivers of Conway offered information on conservation.

John Walters with Witzel Art of Georgetown is a painter who uses acrylic paint on recycled material.

Hugh McLaurin, with Big Lake Duck Calls of Elloree, sold  premium acrylic goose, mallard and wood duck calls.

The duck calls were also a favorite for the children who could be heard blowing the calls during the festival.

Gus Bridwell of Creeks Charter School in McClellanville helped his father, Frank, sell many of the duck calls by demonstrating.

By Rounette Johnson

For The Times