The Fourth Annual Bridges Prep Block Party Shrimp and Grits Cook-off is set for Saturday, April 8, in downtown Port Royal.

The event is presented by Ameris Bank and is scheduled from noon until 5 p.m. at Paris Avenue in Port Royal. The event features local chefs competing for top honors with their shrimp and grits, as well as live music, artisans, raffle baskets and family-friendly activities. &nbsp;

Chefs will prepare their recipes for the Shrimp and Grits Cook-off at 12:30 p.m. on Paris Avenue and will be ready to serve guests starting at 1:30 until 3:30 PM (or until all is gone). &nbsp;

Tickets or ballots for the cook-off will be available to purchase the day of the Block Party for $20 each. The ballot allows each guest to sample participating chefs’ dishes and then vote for the People’s Choice Award for top shrimp and grits recipe in the Lowcountry.&nbsp;

The event also will feature other food vendors. Draft beer and a great selection of boutique wines will be available along with non-alcoholic beverages. Music will be provided by The Walker Harris Band and Night Train.&nbsp;

“If you have an eye for unique crafts will have local artisans set up selling their wares,” said Amy Painton, vice president of the Bridges PTO. “And of course, our event wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Kids Zone. We will have the Kids Zone set up with bouncy houses and other kid-friendly activities such as a rock climbing wall.”

Bridges Block Party Shrimp and Grits Cook-off is the key fundraising event for the fast-growing and academically strong state charter school in Beaufort. Bridges Prep was named one of South Carolina’s top three charter schools for its academics. Bridges Prep is open to all area students and there isn’t any tuition.

“Our goal is to bring our community together for a day filled with fabulous food and family fun,” Painton said. “We want to raise awareness of our school and gain support to benefit our students and their adventures in education. Proceeds from this year’s event will be earmarked for the media center when our new campus opens in Port Royal.”

For more information on the Block Party or to make a donation, email organizers at pto@bridgesprep.org.&nbsp;