It’s that time of year again! The 2009 Charleston Food + Wine Festival is here for a 4 day weekend with sunny weather all 4 days and temperatures in the low 70′s from Friday on – just in time for everybody to come out and enjoy the event!

Win the once-in-a-lifetime chance to cook on stage with critically-acclaimed chef/restaurateur and Food Network television personality Bobby Flay!

The Charleston Food + Wine Festival was named one of the best U.S. Food + Wine Festival’s by Forbes Traveler!

We all know The Lowcountry has exceptional chefs, a celebrated food history and a distinctive regional cuisine unlike any other, so come out and enjoy the good weather with food and friends!

“Charleston has become the culinary capital of the South…” – John Alex Floyd
Editor in Chief, Southern Living magazine

Festival Events

The BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival runs through Sunday. Tickets are still available to the events listed below. To see the full schedule and purchase tickets, visit charlestonfoodandwine.com, call 843-577-6235, or go to the ticketing tent at Marion Square. The tent will open 10 a.m. each day.

Free events

• Opening ceremony 11 a.m. today at Marion Square.
• Live Charity Auction, 2:30 p.m. today at Marion Square

Tickets remain to:

• The Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tents:

• 2-5 p.m. today – $45
• 10 a.m-1 p.m. or 2-5 p.m. Saturday – $55, and
• 1-5 p.m. Sunday – $45 ($35 for locals).

• King Street Sip + Stroll, 3-6 p.m. today, $40.
• Restaurant Dine-Arounds at Tristan or Circa, 6:30 tonight, $150.
• Pinot Envy Uncorked!, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, $75.
• 1,000 Point Wine Tasting, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, $450.
• Lowcountry Gospel Brunch, 11 a.m. Sunday, $55.
• BBQ & Blues, 4-7 p.m. Sunday, $75.

Event director Angel Postell says the goal is to raise $50,000 for MUSC Children’s Hospital and another $10,000 for scholarships at The Art Institute of Charleston, The College of Charleston, and Trident Technical College.

* UPDATE: Food + Wine Festival reports record attendance