Since Independence Day is a national holiday, many families get together and for a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of the long weekend to spend time with relatives. The first week of July is usually one of the busiest travel times of the year. Many people are heading to South Carolina for the Fourth of July weekend.
Here is a list of some of the events:
Fourth of July Boat Parade – Murrells Inlet, SC
Boat Parade, Murrells Inlet, SC
The boat parade in Murrells Inlet draws visitors from near and far to the quaint little fishing village on the inlet. The theme for 2011 is “Ride the Inlet Wave of Freedomâ€. The boat parade is also followed by fireworks.
Make it a day and plan to come early and stay late. There are also lots of nice restaurants and bars in the area. Check out our special events page for Murrells Inlet Boat Parade.
4th of July Blast Patriot’s Point – Charleston, SC
Patriot's Point Charleston, SC
This is one of the most popular Fourth of July celebrations in South Carolina. There is a festival at Patriot’s Point with lots of fun for the whole family followed by fireworks.
Patriot’s Point has been named by media as one of the top destinations for Fourth of July.
The city of Summerville celebrates Independence Day with a festival on Saturday, July 3, 2011 in the downtown area. This event includes all kinds of activities, but something that we noticed is the parade.
Many cities have Fourth of July parades, but Summerville’s parade has an additional twist to it. The parade does not allow any motorized vehicles – which brings out all kinds of creative means of transportations from rollerblades to bicycles and more.
Independence Day at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
July 2 – 3, 2011, Â South Carolina residents receive 1/2 off admission with a valid driver’s license
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
Visit Arthur Middleton’s home, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. You can listen to fife and drums as reenactors celebrate Independence Weekend at Middleton Place.  During this special event the time period of the American Revolution will  come to life with the Second South Carolina Regiment encampment in the Plantation Stableyards.
You and your family gets an opportunity to see  how the troops lived in their camp. The event also includes both cooking and musket firing demonstrations.  At 1:00 p.m. on both days, you can hear formal readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Mount Plesant, SCUncle Sam Jam – Mount Pleasant, SC
A perfect spot to celebrate the 4th of July is the Mount Pleasant Pier at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. The fairly new pier stretches 1,250 feet out in the water and is an excellent vantage spot for firework watching. But that’s not the only thing going on at this location. There is also the popular Uncle Sam Jam at the pier. Â The band with the suitable name for the season – Permanent Vacation – is performing playing a variety of music from beach music to party music. For $10 you can dance the night away under the stars and watch the fireworks. (The front section of the pier will still be open without admission fee for those who just want to watch the fireworks). Gates open at 7 pm, and music starts at 8 pm. Only 800 tickets will be sold, so visit www.ccprc.com to get purchase your tickets early.
Italian Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC
Many people visit Myrtle Beach for the Fourth of July weekend and there are lots of different events and fireworks. One of the more unusual events is the Italian Festival in Valor Park.
Even if you are not Italian, but just love good italian food -you are welcome to Valor Park for a special Italian American celebration.
This summer try something different for your Fourth of July party.  These  colorful cocktails were inspired by the colors of fireworks. Spice things up at your party and impress your guests.
Get ready to have a blast!
Roman Candle
3 oz. Three-O Berry Vodka
½ Oz. Cranberry Juice
Dash of Grenadine
½ oz. Blue Curacao Shake vodka, cranberry juice and grenadine in a shaker with ice. Strain into martini glass. Pour Blue Curaçao gently down the side of the glass so it comes to settle on the bottom.
Sparkler
1 oz. Three-O Pomegranate Vodka
2 oz. Sparkling Wine
Splash POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
Combine vodka and pomegranate juice in the bottom of a champagne flute
Top with sparkling wine or champagne
Fire Cracker
2 oz. Three-O Grape Vodka
½ oz. Blue Curacao
Splash Tonic
Shake vodka and blue curacao with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass
Add tonic and garnish with a cherry
Cherry Bomber
1 ½ oz. Three-O Cherry Vodka
4 oz. Ginger Ale
Splash of grenadine
Mix in a glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry
————————————————————————————————
SECRET RECIPES REVEALED
Make something different for dinner tonight. Get inside the hidden cookbooks of America’s favorite restaurants including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, TGI Friday, PF Chang and many more!
The secret recipes for your favorite restaurant dishes have now been revealed in this best-selling new cookbook. Prepare dishes you know they’ll love and save money by easily making them at home.
Fourth of July is always a big deal in Northeast Florida – and this year Independence Day is a long weekend. Many cities begin celebrating already on the weekend.
Take a look under each city on the navigation bar on top for more details. Below you will find a quick overview of what is going on in Northeast Florida and get good ideas for places to watch fireworks.
Fireworks at World Golf Village
The World Golf Village near St. Augustine starts early with fireworks already on Friday July 1, 2011at 9.30 pm.
The fireworks display over Fort Matanzas in St Augustine is one of the best places to watch fireworks in Florida, and it’s one of the most popular destinations for Fourth of July as well. Fireworks start at 9.30 pm. Be prepared for a lot of traffic. Just click here to get more details about fireworks in St Augustine on our special event page.
Fireworks – Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
You can also go to Jacksonville Beach for fireworks. Â The beach area has its own Liberty celebration near Sea Walk Pavilion with music, food and fun. Fireworks at 9.30 pm.
Stars & Stripes Festival Fernandina – Amelia Island
Do your kids ask questions about how stuff works or why something does this or that? Most kids do and many of the questions relate to police cars, ambulances or fire engines. The Stars & Stripes Festival includes a popular “touch a truck” program where you can learn more about these vehicles. Â It’s a fun learning opportunity for the young ones! The festival is followed by a parade and then fireworks in downtown Fernandina, Amelia Island, Fla.
Race fans from all over are heading to Daytona Beach for the Coke Zero 400 Weekend. Â The weekend kicks off with the Sub Jalapeno 250 on Friday July 1, 2011 and continues with the big event, the Coke Zero 400 The NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday July 2, 2011.
The race event is followed by spectacular fireworks. More details on our special events page for Coke Zero 400 Weekend in Daytona.
There are lots of fun things to do in coastal Georgia for the Fourth of July weekend. Many cities start their celebration of Independence Day already on Saturday July 2  this year.  So if you really enjoy fireworks, you  can actually enjoy several fireworks and celebrations and make the weekend an extraordinary birthday bash for our country.
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Savannah celebrates Fourth of July in style. The Great American Weekend takes place on River Street July 2 – 4, 2011, with lots of fun things for the whole family. On Monday July 4th, there is of course fireworks over the river as usual.
In the Savannah area you can watch fireworks twice. Start already on Sunday July 3rd, with Tybee Island Fireworks at dusk. Just be prepared to come early and stay late.
St. Simons Island has a great Arts & Crafts Festival every Fourth of July called the Sunshine Festival.  The festival takes place July 2 – 4, 2011.  As usual, there is also Fourth of July fireworks over the water. The fireworks  on St. Simons Island are scheduled for 9 pm on July 4, 2011.
BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA
In downtown Brunswick, Georgia, head to Mary Ross Park for an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration with music, food and fun for the whole family.
DARIEN, GEORGIA
The concert Red, White and Blue on the Bluff takes place on Saturday July 2, 2011 at the waterfront park. The concert is followed by fireworks. Â Another great family event in Darien is the Cannons Across the Marsh at Fort King George.
If you haven’t made plans for Father’s Day yet – don’t worry. Here are a few ideas for what you can do if you are in Savannah for the big day from fun things for the  outdoors type, the history buff, or gourmet. sophie rain spiderman video tutorial
Have a Blast with Dad!
Most boys, young and old, loves anything that goes “boom”.  So why not take Dad to a good  old cannon firing? This time of year there are cannon firings at Old Fort Jackson! For history buffs, a visit to the National Historic Landmark Old Fort Jackson is a special treat – especially when the visit includes cannon firings. The cannon firings take place at 10am and 2pm all throughout the spring and summer.
For more information, contact us at 912.232.3945 or visit www.chsgeorgia.org for more.
The Big Engine
Blasting cannons might not interest your Dad, but how about another type of noisy machinery – a diesel train ride. Sunday rides take place at 1pm and 2 pm, but please check the schedule since it’s subject to change. A visit to the GA State Railroad Museum includes a tour of the passenger car and the depot and you will learn all about the railroad. General admission is $10. The museum is open on Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm.
Roundhouse Railroad Museum, 601 W. Harris St. Savannah, GA 31401 912.651.6823
For the Country Cowboy
Is Dad a big fan of good old country music? The Country Star Revue at Savannah Theatre is going to be the perfect choice for your music lover. Â The performance is a two hour long tribute to the wonderful music of the great country stars of the past 50 years. You will hear music from Patsy Cline to Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash to The Rascal Flatts performed to a live country band by seven talented vocalists. The Country Star Revue takes place on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.
If your dad enjoys jazz, this is a great idea for a fun event to attend..
Jazz – Just Across The River presents the Annual Fathers’ day Concert, featuring a concert with guitarist Howard Paul and organist Scott Giddens. The concert takes place on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at  5 pm at the Westin Harbor Resort on Hutchinson Island.
The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. Attendees who join CJA while at the concert will also be admitted for free.
On Sundays you can visit Tybee Island Marine Science Center to learn more about the amazing loggerhead sea turtles who visit our beaches to nest every year. The program takes 90 minutes and includes a walk on the beach.  The fee is $10. Call 866.557.9172 for more information.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center, 1510 Strand Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
I Scream, You Scream…
The heat and the humidity, and lately the smoke from the fires, can wear anyone out. A good way to relax and cool off is with a trip to Leopolds Icecream Parlor. Â What Dad turn down a delicious cool treat?
Leopold’s has been around forever, and there is a special flavor for everyone. The pink grapefruit sherbert is so refreshing, especially in the summer. Â But I know from experience suggesting something “fruity” and “pink” would meet with what we in the family refer to as “the look” from my Dad. He would have opted for the more appropriate “real man” flavor of Peanut Butter Chippy or Rum Bisque.
Leopold’s Ice Cream, 212 E. Broughton St., Savannah 912.234.4442 or visit Leopolds Icecream
Roman Candle
Sparkler
Fire Cracker
Cherry Bomber
