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