Fourth of July in South Carolina, 2009
4th of July Blast at Patriots Point, Charleston
One of the best places to watch fireworks and celebrate Independence Day has to be Patriots Point in Charleston.
First, during the day there is a action-filled festival with live music, a kids Zone, a beverage garden with both soda and adult libations, and a food village. Admission to the actual land festival is free, but there is admission fee to the ships, Medal of Honor Museum and exhibits.
(Click here to watch our newest videos for Fourth of July)
The fireworks display is one of the bests in the country. Fireworks begin at 10:05 PM. The fireworks show has been calledd “Top 5 Independence Day Celebrations†by the New York Times. Fireworks is set to patriotic music and launched from the deck of the U.S.S. Yorktown with the Charleston Harbor as a backdrop.
27,500 people showed up last year, so come early and prepare to stay late. Read more about the 4th of July Blast at Patriots Point, Charleston, SC
Middleton Place Celebrates Independence Day Weekend – Charleston, SC
Remember exactly why we’re celebrating Independence Day, and learn more about how it all started with a real Independence Day celebration at Middleton Place. Take a step back in time, hear the fife and drums and smell the gun powder at the home of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Here you can walk through an 18th century military camp with re-enactors and experience up close and personal how the troops lived. There will also be cooking and musket firing demonstrations, and ceremonies commemorating the contributions of Arthur and Henry Middleton.
At 3:00 pm the Declaration of Independence is read.
Regular Admission. Call 843-556-6020 or visit middletonplace.org
Luau in the Swamp
Maybe you’re looking for something a little bit more exotic than your common picnic, barbeque, parade and firework combo, and I have found a great little event for you. Take the whole family to a Luau at Cypress Gardens on Independence Day for a big birthday bash called “Luau in the Swampâ€.
Wait, it’s not as odd as it sounds.
This is the year the state of Hawaii is officially “over the hill†– or to put it in plain English; it’s Hawaii’s 50th anniversary of statehood. So Cypress Gardens is putting on a big party on the 4th of July and everyone is invited. If you and your family want to experience a little bit of Hawaii in South Carolina, just head out to Cypress Gardens. It’s a whole lot cheaper than flying to Hawaii.
As expected, hula dancers and ukulele band will be a part of the entertainment lineup. Everyone is invited to enter the limbo and the Hawaiin costume contest. The kids will love it, and I’m afraid my wife won’t be able to resist either. In that case, it’ll be one of those events one will be glad to forget, but the kids will remember for ever.
You’re also invited to bring your own ice cream churn and enter the ice cream contest. I can see it clearly now. I’ll be forced to wear a Hawaiian shirt with pink flowers and parrots and carry an ice cream churn under one arm, and under the other, a wife dressed in a hula outfit ready to limbo.
What can I say…oh poi!
I was encouraged to hear that The Supporters of Historical Cypress Garden will roast a pig, because I know that will be delicious. There will also be other island food available, and for the less adventurous among us the American staple of hot dogs and hamburgers.
Call 843-553-0515 or visit www.cypressgardens.info. More details in the events calendar for Luau in the Swamp at Cypress Gardens, South Carolina
Festival in the Park – Moncks Corner, SC
Celebrate the 4th of July at Old Santee Canal Park. This is an event for the whole family with live music and entertainment, a classic car and truck show, and pet shows. The Berkeley Artist’s Guild’s annual members show will be in the Berkeley Museum from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. And to cap the day off, fireworks will go off at dusk.
For more information call 843-899-5200 or visit www.oldsanteecanalpark.org
Red, White and Blue on the Green, Summerville, SC
This year’s annual 4th of July Celebration in Historic Summerville is going to be a celebration of gigantic proportions. There will be live music featuring 60 Cycle Humm, a magic show by Van Doren the Magician, Jump Castles, Hot dogs and Hamburgers, Barbeque, Ice Cream, Cold Drinks. Also tons of games and Contests for the whole family, the Patriotic “Non Motorized Parade†and one of South Carolina’s most fantastic Fireworks Displays.
MYRTLE BEACH
Star Spangled Celebration
Come celebrate Independence Day in Myrtle Beach with face painting, sidewalk sales, Balloons by Green Jelly Bean, Pony and Camel Rides, petting zoo, patriotic music, beach music and of course fireworks
Hwy. 17 Bypass between 21st and 29th Ave. Additional satellite parking will located at the old NASCAR Grille with free shuttle buses service.
Call 843-444-3200 for more information or visit www.BroadwayAtTheBeach.com. visit our events calendar for Star Spangled Celebration in Myrtle Beach.
The Market Common Independence Day Celebration
Enjoy music, children’s activities and fireworks as we celebrate our Independence Day Celebration at the Market Commons, 4017 Deville Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 on July 4th from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Visit www.MarketCommonEvents.com or call 843-839-3500
Independence Day Celebration at the Surfside Pier
Surfside has its own 4th of July festival at the pier. Steve Fairchild, who has been called the city of Surfside’s own “Garthâ€, is performing, but if that’s not enough to convince you to head to the pier – how about free ice cream and watermelon? There’s also concessions available with hot dogs,hamburgers,chips &drinks
Murrells Inlet Boat Parade
Celebrate Independence Day with a unique 4th of July tradition, South Carolina style. Plan for a full day for the whole family, beginning with a boat parade.
26th Annual July 4th Boat Parade at high tide – Freedom is Fine in 2009. Watch a parade of creatively decorated boats cruising down the creek. The fitting theme for this year is “Freedom is Fine in 2009â€. The best view is from the Marsh walk area. Make sure to arrive early to get the best spot. Boat Parade starts at 5 p.m. Call 843-357-2007 for info.
Have a picnic dinner with your family for the 4th of July (check out some of our recipes) or visit one of the restaurants in the area. You’ll have time to finish off your meal before it’s time to head down to the water again for fireworks. (Read the calendar entry for Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, South Carolina)
July Fourth Fireworks at 10pm
Fireworks are shot off over the Inlet waters. Thousands of people line the shores to enjoy the display. Call 843-357-2007.
Hilton Head Island
Firecracker 5000, Hilton Head Island, SC
Work up a healthy appetite for all those barbeques and picnics on Independence Day and start out with a run or walk 
during the Firecracker 5000 race on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
The 5K (3.1 miles) Island Packet Firecracker 5000 course starts and finishes behind the Mall at Shelter Cove. This is a fast and flat course around Shelter Cove Harbour. The independence day inspired post-race celebration features live music, fresh fruit, ice cold refreshments, door prizes and more. (Visit the events calendar for Firecracker 5000, Hilton Head Island, SC)
Visit www.bearfootsports.com for more information.
Fireworks at Shelter Cove on July 4th, Hilton Head Island, SC
Shannon Tanner will perform at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. for a special Harbourfest celebration and perform a selection of patriotic music.
Call 800-827-3006 for more information or visit hiltonheadisland.org
Harbourfest 2009 July 4th Celebration, Hilton Head Island, SC
Don’t miss the special Fourth of July fireworks show, which offers a vibrant extravaganza of light over the harbor at Shelter Cove Harbour.
Skull Creek Fireworks, Hilton Head Island, SC
Free Community Fireworks display from a barge in the Intracoastal Waterway – Skull Creek at 9:30PM. Live outside entertainment begin at 6PM at Hudson’s, Boathouse II, and Charley’s Crab. Food and beverages available.
Free Parking and Shuttle Service is offer from 6pm – 10pm from the Boys and Girls Club on Gumtree Rd to parking lot at Hudsons (pick up and return). Shuttle is offered by the Island Rec Center.
Call 843-681-6444 or visit www.islandreccenter.org
4th of July Blast at Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina
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
Independence Day in Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida
Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival – Fernandina, Amelia Island, FL
What better way to celebrate America’s independence than the Stars and Stripes Festival in Fernandina, Florida? The festival takes place in Amelia Island’s Central Park and begins with a patriotic parade down Centre Street at 7:00 p.m. in the historic district; followed by a barrage of fireworks to conclude the festivities.
This annual observance of America’s liberation takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Bring the whole family to the park for lots of activities and fun. First and foremost, there’s the Touch-A-Truck Public Safety display. Here you, or your little ones, can get hands on, up close and personal look at a number of fascinating vehicles. There will be fire trucks, police cars, garbage trucks, excavators – even an 18 wheel log truck and helicopter is scheduled. The vehicles on display come from the City of Fernandina Beach Police, Fire/Rescue and Streets Departments, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and Fire/Rescue, Florida Highway Patrol, Coast Guard, and more.
This event is a sure hit with the younger ones.
Other activities include a Parent-Child Look-A-Like Contest. Sign up starting at 10 a.m., the contest itself at 1:00 p.m. I thought about asking one of my teenagers to participate with me, but I’m sure the answer would be a “No Wayâ€. So instead I had my hopes up for the All American Apple Pie Contest. It turns out that you have to bake pies, so I quickly crossed that off my list. Then there’s of course the usual stuff with Fun for the Kids playground, food, arts and crafts vendors.
Also the band FACE FOR RADIO, will perform on the Pirate Ship Stage during the festival.
Festival goers are invited to wear red, white and blue for the Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival Parade starting at 7 p.m. After the parade, everyone will gather in front of the Depot to enjoy music in the spirit of Independence Day by the community choir, the Sine Nomine Singers and the New Horizons Band of the Amelia Arts Academy.
After dark, it’s time to find a spot to watch the fireworks. The fireworks exhibition can be viewed to the south of the Fernandina Harbor Marina at approximately 9:30 p.m. A perfect close to a perfect day.
More information, concert agenda, and applications for the contests can be found at www.shinybadgesball.com.
Click here to visit our events calendar for Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival in Fernandina, Amelia Island, Florida
Independence Day in Summerville, South Carolina
Summerville’s own 4th of July celebration is called the Red, White and Blue on the Green. This event brings back an old fashioned Independence Day Celebration and focuses on event suitable for the whole family.
Like most other 4th of July celebrations, Summerville also puts on a parade – but this parade is different. This parade does not allow motorized vehicles!
I honestly don’t know if this is Summerville’s own way of contributing to the green movement, but in any case it does make watching the parade an absolute must. I can just imagine all the festive wagons, pulled by people on rollerblades, skateboards…and more.
Red, White and Blue on the Green includes games and activities for all ages. The information we received mentions “live contestsâ€. So make sure to show up and look alive when you do. If contests are not your thing, maybe we can tempt you with face painting, jumping castles, music, hotdogs or apple pie.
The day will end with spectacular fireworks display. The Red, White & Blue on the Green, Summerville’s Fourth of July Celebration, will be held Friday, July 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Summerville’s Town Square. The event is hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M.
For more information visit www.summervilledream.org
