By Cele & Lynn Seldon
Special to The Island News
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, commemorates the 10th anniversary of the passing of Pat Conroy, and the Pat Conroy Literary Center is hosting the 10th annual March Forth celebration to pay homage to the extraordinary life and legacy that this literary giant left behind.
This year’s event (Monday, March 2 through Sunday, March 8, 2026) will feature 10 unique events sprinkled throughout the Lowcountry that he loved (and eloquently wrote about) over a week-long celebration honoring his legacy and his inspiration for the next generation of writers and readers.
Whether you are a long-time admirer of his writing, a newcomer to his captivating storytelling, or simply want to explore more of the Lowcountry through his eyes, March Forth will feature themes of his writing and teaching life, including social justice, inclusivity, nature, history, education, and, of course, storytelling.
As writers who relocated to the Lowcountry eight years ago, we know how “place” can influence work and life. And Pat certainly wrote the book on that. He once said, “When I started out as a kid in Beaufort who wanted to be a writer, I didn’t have the slightest notion on how to become one. What I owe South Carolina is not repayable.” And, for that, we are so thankful.
The week kicks off on Monday, March 2, when book lovers will meet for an engaging discussion at the Beaufort Library as Marly Rusoff, Conroy’s longtime literary agent, shares stories about his life, his literary journey, and the influence he’s had on the Lowcountry and beyond.
Tuesday, March 3, features the chairman of the Pat Conroy Literary Center (and close friend of Pat Conroy), Sean Scapellato, as he discusses the profound impact and invaluable contributions that Conroy’s work had on the literary community, as well as the Lowcountry and the state of South Carolina.
The menu expands on Wednesday, March 4, with the Taste of the Lowcountry Crawl. Experience the charm of downtown Beaufort as we embark on a 1.5-mile walking culinary tour, sharing some bites from our new book, “100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die,” and personal stories about our relationship with Conroy (Lynn was fortunate enough to call Pat his mentor and we were honored to call Pat a friend). Lowcountry bites include tomato pie, shrimp and grits, southern barbecue, cider, pastries, and more at a variety of Beaufort’s best restaurants. The crawl departs from McIntosh Book Shoppe, and participants receive a copy of our new book, or one of our other books.
Also, on Wednesday, enjoy the lush sounds of poetry (one of Conroy’s first loves) under the Beaufort Witness Tree, as several local poets share the beauty of their words and celebrate the storytelling and
artistic legacy that Conroy left behind. Scheduled poetry readers include Pat’s brother, Tim Conroy; Ellen Malphrus; Brea Parker; Susan River Madison; Jacqelyn Markham; and Quitman Marshall.
Take a literary journey on Thursday, March 5, with a bus tour of The Citadel with John Warley, Conroy’s Citadel classmate and friend, and author of The Citadel history book, “Stand Forever, Yielding Never.” Departing from the Pat Conroy Literary Center, the tour includes many Citadel locales that were highlights of Conroy’s college career, including Daniel Library, Summerall Chapel, Mark Clark Hall, McAlister Field House (the home of many basketball games that Conroy recounted in “My Losing Season”), and Stevens Barracks, Conroy’s residence for four years.
Friday, March 6 features an unforgettable day on Daufuskie Island, inspired by Pat’s memoir, “The Water is Wide.” This six-hour tour (departing by boat from Bluffton’s May River Excursions) includes a private guided tour of the island hosted by Sallie Ann Robinson, Conroy’s former student and celebrated Gullah chef, along with Jim Alberto, who taught at the same school after Conroy. Listen to their rich history and insider stories about Conroy and the cultural significance of this magical island and how it influenced his writing.
Friday evening is all about the power of music in literature (something Conroy loved) with award-winning novelist and bestselling author, Brendan Slocumb (“The Violin Conspiracy,” “Symphony of Secrets,” and “The Dark Maestro”) talking about his writing process and inspiration at the Beaufort Black Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, March 7 is filled with nature, history, and fellowship, starting with Paddle & Pen, a three-hour Kayak Tour & Creative Writing Class with travel writer, Katherine Tandy Brown, at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center. Paddle the serene waters of the breathtaking Port Royal Sound and practice creative writing techniques to describe the natural beauty surrounding you.
In the afternoon, learn about Beaufort’s role in the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era as you sit underneath the Beaufort Witness Tree and learn about its rich history with Chris Barr, the Interpretive Program Manager for the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Cap off the evening with an Open House at the Pat Conroy Literary Center. Enjoy guided tours, tasty treats, complimentary beverages, engaging conversations filled with literature and history, and the opportunity to meet the authors and presenters of March Forth.
The weekend will close on Sunday, March 8 at March Forth at Penn Center, combining Conroy’s many loves, including nature, literature, Gullah culture, and, of course, food. There will be nature walks along the grounds of Penn Center, presentations by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Rob Edwards and children’s book author (and great-great-grandson of Robert Smalls) Michael Moore, a tasty discussion with Gullah chef and author (and former Conroy student) Sallie Ann Robinson, and a delicious Lowcountry lunch by Catering by Debbi Covington.
Whether you are a nature nerd, history hound, literature lover, foodie fan, or simply have a passion for Pat Conroy’s poetic prose, March Forth brings all these together and celebrates the man who brought them all to life through his wonderful words. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s website https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/events-overview/.