Summer is winding down and it’s time to gear up for fall festivities in Hilton Head. Plan a culinary Hilton Head vacation around these deliciously fabulous events.

Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival, Sept. 13 – 18, 2010
Hilton Head’s week-long Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival celebrates the world of craft brews complemented with jazz performances. Activities include beer tastings, beer and food pairings and jazz. We’re told not to miss the Men Drinking Beer (MDB) Grand Tasting or the Public Beer Tasting Sept. 18 at Shelter Cove Harbour. New to this year’s event is the Golf & Brews tournament on Sept. 17. Visit www.hiltonheadhospitalityassociation.com for additional information.

Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival, Oct. 17 – 24, 2010   
Bluffton’s historic and eclectic district serves as the backdrop for the 6th Annual Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival. Over the eight days, Low Country cuisine is front and center with locally harvested seafood showcased. Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival events include the Bluffton 5K Oyster Run, shrimp boat tours, kayaking trips, Art Around Town, live music and entertainment and an Iron Chef Challenge. This is all served up with a heaping bowl of Southern hospitality Bluffton is famed. Visit www.blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.com for additional information.

Hilton Head Oyster Festival, Nov. 14 & 14, 2010
How much could an oyster shucker shuck if …well, you get the idea and maybe you’ll find the answer during the South Carolina Bank & Trust Oyster Festival at Shelter Cove Park, Hilton Head. Savor fresh and local flavors including oysters, shrimp, chili and other dishes. Activities include music, children zone and holiday craft show and more. Find additional information at www.islandreccenter.org.

We can hear your tummy rumbling with hunger. Visit Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau for additional information and let us help you find the perfect accommodations during your Hilton Head vacation.

Hilton Head is recognized for serving up fresh seafood dishes but here’s something different to taste during vacation to Hilton Head: a 28-inch pizza served up at Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta in Bluffton.

Those who finish eating the one-topping pizza (including the crust), called the Big Unit, in an hour or less will earn bragging rights, be added to the restaurant’s Wall of Fame, receive the pizza free, a $50 gift card, and a pretty nifty souvenir – a Big Unit t-shirt.

Giuseppi’s introduced its Big Unit 28-inch pizza at its Bluffton location in June and according to Lori Taylor, Managing Partner of the location, reaction has been “surprising and humorous.” The restaurant, “…had a feeling the guys would be stepping up to the plate,” she said and added, “When people order the pizza for the table, they really aren’t picturing what 28 inches of pizza looks like.  So when it is presented to the table, we have been able to get some humorous photos of people’s reactions.”

The Man vs. Big Unit Challenge was issued through the restaurant’s Facebook page in early July and there were immediately two takers.  The first challenger, Justin Lane of Bluffton, had to stop eating with a little more than half of the pizza remaining.

What advice does Lane have for Hilton Head vacationers willing to take on the Big Unit?  “The bread is what gets people,” and added, “Don’t drink a lot of your drink, soak the crust in water and eat the crust last.”

The second competitor came the closest so far to meeting the challenge, leaving only three pieces remaining.

Giuseppi’s serves up the pizza, pasta and hoagies similar to that found in a Pittsburgh neighborhood. Giuseppi’s in Bluffton is located at 25 Bluffton Road/Highway 46 in Kitties Crossing in Bluffton.  They are open from 11a.m.-10 p.m. daily and offer carryout, catering and delivery.  Contact them at 843-815-9200.

The restaurant is located less than a 15-minute drive from Hilton Head.

Now who’s hungry?

Image Source: The SERG Restaurant Group

A metal detector wasn’t needed on Hilton Head, S.C., on Saturday, May 23, to locate this metal object. Treasure hunters and shell collectors saw quite a site in front of Hilton Head resort in Palmetto Dunes, a piece of a European satellite washed ashore. The size of the curved spacecraft debris has been compared to that of a small car and looks like it was put together with over-sized Lego blocks.

According to The Island Packet, a local newspaper, the Federal Aviation Administration identified the piece was part of a satellite launched from an Ariane 5 rocket. And the country’s origin? Apparently labels on this chunk-o-satellite read, “Made in France.”

While future Hilton Head vacationers aren’t guaranteed a view of spacecraft debris on these South Carolina beaches, they are almost always guaranteed access to fabulous beaches and water sports, boutique shopping, delicious dining, golfing on some pretty swank golf courses and starry, starry nights.

Check out this CNN iReport photo of the satellite debris and checkout the affordable Hilton Head vacations.