Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Fourth of July in South Carolina

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4th of July in Coastal South Carolina

Since Independence Day is a national holiday,  many families get together and for a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of extra time off 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, and there are a lot of events going on.

Here are a few suggestions:

 

Fourth of July F-16 Fly Over – Pawleys Island
July 4, 2012

Turn your eyes to the eastern sky on the Fourth of July to wave to the F-16s of the 77th Fighter Squadron. “The Gamblers” of the 20th Fighter Wing stationed at Shaw Air Force Base will conduct a flyover of the South Carolina Coast. Listen to the sound of freedom as the F-16s roar along our shoreline. Spectators are urged to wear and wave the red, white and blue along the beaches during the flyover. The flyover, which is organized by the non-profit organization, Salute from the Shore, and the Town of Pawleys Island.

Murrels Inlet 4th of july boat parade
Boat Parade, Murrells Inlet, SC

 

Murrells Inlet 4th of July Boat Parade
July 4, 2012

The 29th Annual July 4th Boat Parade kicks off at 9am (high tide) from Garden City Point.  This year’s parade theme is “Red, White & View!  Inlet-style Tried and True.”  The parade will head over to the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and then follow the Murrells Inlet shoreline down to the Hot Fish Club.  Best public viewing points are the Marshwalk, Belin Methodist Church, Nance’s Restaurant, Captain Pooh’s Restaurant and the Hot Fish Club.  Click here to visit our page.

 

Patriot's Point Charleston, SCFourth of July Blast at Patriot’s Point – Mount Pleasant, SC
July 4, 2012

This is without doubt the biggest Fourth of July celebration in South Carolina every year. Patriot’s Point in Charleston, SC, hosts a big firework display. The fireworks are shot from the deck of USS Yorktown. You can get all the details about the Fourth of July Blast at Patriot’s Point right here.

Shaggin’ on the Cooper
July 4, 2012

Dance the night away at the Cooper. This is one of the most popular events for the Summer in the Charleston area. Read more about this recurring event here.

27th Annual Firecracker 5000 – Hilton Head Island,SC
July 4, 2012

The 5K (3.1 miles) Hilton Head Firecracker 5000 course starts and finishes behind the Mall at Shelter Cove at Shelter Cove Community Park and takes participants through the fast and flat roads around Shelter Cove Harbour. The festive post-race celebration features music, fresh fruit, ice cold refreshments, door prizes and more. For more details about where to watch fireworks on Hilton Head Island, SC, just visit our special page for 4th of July Hilton Head Island.

Summerville, SC, parade
Non-motorized parade in Summerville, SC.

 

Red, White and Blue on the Green – Summerville, SC
July 1, 2012 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 

Historic downtown Summerville will be transformed into an Independence Day street festival. Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) will be hosting the Annual Red, White & Blue On the Green with children’s activity stations, jump castles, live music and food stands. Summerville’s free family and community celebration! There is a special non-motorized parade, featuring kids on bikes, in wagons, on rollerblades, in strollers – all decked out for America!! Music and concessions start at 5 p.m. Please note that Summerville is celebrating Fourth of July a little bit earlier this year, which is perfect. You can make it to Summerville for the celebration on July 1 and then celebrate again in Charleston for July 4th. Get all the details for the Red, White and Blue on the Green in Summerville right here.

 North Charleston 4th of July

The City of North Charleston is hosting the July 4th celebration at the Riverfront Park on July 4, 2011 from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM. This year’s event features Common Ground, Coastrunners, Atlanta Pleasure Band, and Ruben Studdard, along with other activities throughout the event, ending a wonderful day with a spectacular fireworks display at dark, coordinated with live music from Equinox Jazz Band. The North Charleston 4th of July Festival boasts the largest fireworks show in the State of South Carolina. The Festival is presented free of charge to the public with all general admission for attendees. Guests attending the Festival are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as there is no seating provided. No alcohol is permissible within the park. A wide variety of food vendors are always on site. Children activities are available free of charge, including inflatable jump castles, games, the play area, the giant sandbox, and the water fountain. The City of North Charleston’s 4th of July Festival is our largest sponsored event. Annually held at Riverfront Park, the Festival features nationally renowned performers, such as Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Marshall Tucker Band, and Lee Greenwood.

Fourth of July in South Carolina

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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

Murrels Inlet 4th of july boat parade
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 Freedom”. 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
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.

Read more on our special events page for Patriot’s Point Fourth of July.

 

Red, White and Blue – Summerville, SC

Summerville, SC, parade
Non-motorized parade in Summerville, SC.

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.

You can get all the details about this fun festival on our events page for Red, White and Blue on the Green in Summerville, SC.

 

 

Independence Day at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC

July 2 – 3, 2011,  South Carolina residents receive 1/2 off admission with a valid driver’s license

middleton place charleston south carolina
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.

More information at www.middletonplace.org

 

Mt Pleasant, SC
Mount Plesant, SC
Uncle 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.  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.

You can read more about Fourth of July in Myrtle Beach on our special events page.

 


Cocktails for Fourth of July

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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!

Fourth of July CocktailsRoman 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.

The Sparkler 4th of July cocktailsSparkler

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 4th of July cocktailsFire 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 fourth of july drinksCherry 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

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Fourth of July Florida

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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.

 

Fourth of July in St. Augustine, Fla

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.  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.  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.

 

Watch our video from the event and get all the details about the Fourth of July event in Fernandina on our special events page, just click here for details.

 

Daytona International Speedway - NASCARCoke Zero 400 Weekend – Daytona, Fla

Race fans from all over are heading to Daytona Beach for the Coke Zero 400 Weekend.  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.

 

 

Other pages of interest:

Annual Events & Festivals Jacksonville

Annual Events & Festival St. Augustine

Kingfish Tournament Jacksonville

Fourth of July Weekend in Georgia

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Fourth of July Weekend in Coastal Georgia 2011

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.

Read more about Savannah & Tybee Island’s  Fourth of July Events here.

 

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA

"state of georgia flag"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.  Another great family event in Darien is the Cannons Across the Marsh at Fort King George.

Read more about Fourth of July events in St Simons, Brunswick and Darien here.

 

ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

In St. Marys, Georgia, Fourth of July this year is celebrated on Monday July4, 2011, with a customary 4th of July Festival followed by fireworks.

Read all about the St. Marys Fourth of July here.