Image by Boone Hall Plantation

Update February 2: What's in an oyster roast?

How about 99 photos, including one 8,000-pixel wide panorama of some 8,000 people. Intrigued? Well check out Charlie's photo gallery and big ol' panorama shot.

Update January 31: Event organizers believe that this year's Lowcountry Oyster Festival may have been the biggest yet with crowds surpassing 10,000 people.

The Post and Courier reports that the crows was so large that an extra 5 tons of oysters had to be hauled into Boone Hall Plantation -- that's in addition to the 65,000 pounds brought in before the gates opened at 10:30 a.m.

For a post event round-up and photo gallery, The Post and Courier is the place to be.

Also, ABC News 4 has a video that shows the huge turnout, fun, and traffic woes; see it here.

Update January 29: Sunday's big event is nearly upon us, and organizers are bracing for gridlock and urging festival goers to carpool or use a new "park & ride" option.

The Post and Courier has done the grunt work of assembling the details on what you need to know; take a read of this article and look at this map.

First reporting: You're invited to Boone Hall Plantation's Lowcountry Oyster Festival, a tribute to the mighty mollusk so many of us know and love.

This Oyster Festival is the real deal. Here's what to expect from the official event website:

Highlights of Sunday’s rain or shine main event include the legendary “Oyster Shucking & Eating Contest,” selection of domestic and imported beers, live entertainment on the Main Stage, and a Kids Corner complete with pony rides and jump castles.

For those who are not keen on the mighty mollusk, there will be alternate food selections from Gilligan's Steamer and Raw Bar, A.W. Shuck's Seafood Restaurant, North Towne Greek Restaurant, Red's Ice House, Wild Wing Cafe, Pearlz Oyster Bar, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q, and Hyman's Seafood Company.

Tickets for the January 30th festival are $12 in advance or can be purchased at the gate for $15.