Your ultimate guide to the coast
Here is the latest episode of Coastal Companion’s Weekly show.
Find out what our pick of the week is for South Carolina – and find out what our viewers suggested for Jourth of July.
Make sure to send us your suggestions for your favorite events for South Carolina. Right now, we’re working on August and September. Just email info@coastalcompanion.com
The stories of glory and triumph that shaped our country really come to life at Patriots Point in Charleston. This is even more so on the 4th of July.
Every year the 4th of July Blast draws a huge crowd to Patriots Point on the Mount Pleasant side of Charleston Harbor. Last year 27,500 people attended the event, and this year the organizers hope to break that record.
The 13th Annual Fourth of July Blast is hosted by Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and the Town of Mount Pleasant and the event is the ultimate 4th of July celebration.
USS YORKTOWN
The festivities include a fireworks display launched from the flight deck of the USS YORKTOWN, a World War II-era aircraft carrier. The USS YORKTOWN saw action in the battles of the Philippine Sea and Iwo Jima, now it is an attraction belonging to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.
During the event, make sure to visit the USS YORKTOWN. Tickets are only $5 after 5 PM (for those over the age of 5). On board the ship you’ll meet veterans from the WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq Wars who will share their stories.
The festival on the landside at Patriots Point takes place from 4 PM to Midnight with lots of activities for the whole family. There will be live music on two stages; a ‘Kidz Zone’ play area featuring eight attractions, including an 83-foot inflatable replica of an aircraft carrier.
Fireworks & Music
An Independence Day celebration would not be complete without fireworks, and the 4th of July Blast has an absolutely spectacular firework show. Fireworks begin at 10:05 PM. The fireworks show is set to patriotic music and has been named “Top 5 Independence Day Celebrations†by the New York Times. Fireworks are launched from the deck of the
U.S.S. Yorktown with the Charleston Harbor as a backdrop. It’s hard to top that.
This year’s event will also honor a very special Unit stationed in Taji, Iraq. Three of Charleston’s own belong to the Unit and they are scheduled to remain in Iraq until September. Festival attendees can record a personal message that will be sent over to the 856th Engineer Company in a special Independence Day care package.
There is free admission to the festival, and free parking. Festival goers can bring lawn chairs and blankets but personal coolers and pets are not allowed. Click here for more information about the 4th of July Blast at Patriots Point in South Carolina
Let the cool sounds of Selah Dubb soothe your soul and enjoy a concert with Reggae Nights, the Summer Concert Series of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.
Selah Dubb recorded four albums in 2008 and the band has played over 120 shows in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Their original music is described as high vibration funky reggae with a spacey soul twist. Selah Dubb also perform popular music from well-known artists like Bob Marley, The Police, and Sublime. To get a better picture, watch the music video below.
Selah Dubb – “TV EYE” Music Video
Music lovers don’t have to be hungry. There will be Caribbean faire available from Brieles Lowcountry Café, delious pizza, Italian ice, and another Lowcountry festival favorite — kettle korn and boiled peanuts.
The concert takes place on Saturday, June 13 at James Island County Park. The gates open at 7:30 pm and music starts at 8:30 pm.
Admission is $8.00 or 5 books of Greenbax. Children 12 and under enjoy free admission. Annual Gold Passes will be honored.
For more information and detailed schedules and locations visit www.ccprc.com or call 795-4FUN.
Celebrate Gullah Geechee heritage and culture at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival.
This is the largest showcase of sweetgrass baskets in the Lowcountry. Local basket makers will show their skillful creation alongside unique handmade quilts, paintings and crafts.
But this festival offers a lot more than arts and crafts. You can also enjoy a variety of Gullah Geechee performances such as gospel groups, storytelling, folklore, music and dance by local entertainers.
This festival has a lot of fun activities for kids as well with jump castles, water slides, face painting, and a variety of children’s arts and craft. Don’t worry about going hungry. There will be plenty of delicious Lowcountry foods and specialties provided by local restaurants and food vendors.
Two local documentaries; Bin Yah, There’s no Place Like Home and Grass Roots: The Enduring Arts of the Lowcountry, will be shown at intervals throughout the festival.
The Fifth Annual Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival will take place at Laing Middle School at 2213 Highway 17 on Friday June 5th from 3 to 8 PM and Saturday June 6th from 12 to 8 PM.
The annual Sweetgrass Festival is sponsored by the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Association, The Town of Mt. Pleasant, City of Charleston Piccolo Spoleto, Wando Community Education Program, The International African American Museum and The Charles Pinckney Historic Site, NPS.
For more details click here – Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival 2009
Ben Stiller is not the only one who can experience “Night at the Museum”. But instead of a battle at the Smithsonian it will be a “battle at Charleston Museum”. On June 5th you can participate in this real life adventure from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, if you dare.
When lights are out and the museum is empty, no joke, the whole museum comes to life.
Who knows, you might run into a band of pirates, bump into a unit of Revolutionary War soldiers, a Viking, George Washington, or even some wild animals! This event is for brave kids and adults only. We strongly recommend bringing your flash light, since it can come in handy and even double up as a weapon.
Museum curators and staff will share stories about the collections and maybe even entertain you with a tall tale or two. Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing as your favorite animal or in historical costume. I’ll have to remember to tell Joe about that, he loves dress up!
This event is not just for kids – big-kids-at-heart are welcome! Reservations required – register online or call 722-2996 x264.
Members – $10/adult, $5/child. Non-members – $20/adult, $10/child
