Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

4th of July Blast at Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina

by

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
patriotspoint-thThe 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.

Patriots Point -- Fourth of July
Patriots Point -- Fourth of July

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

by

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 Way”. 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.

hand-fireworks
Click here to visit our events calendar for Stars & Stripes Freedom Festival in Fernandina, Amelia Island, Florida

4th of July in Georgia – Weekly Show

by

Weekly show from Coastal Companion about Upcoming events in Georgia. This episode is for the week of July 4, 2008. Find out how to celebrate Independence day Riverstreet style in Savannah, watch fireworks on Tybee Island, visit Fort King George for Cannons Across the Marsh or visit the small town of St Marys for a family-friendly Fourth of July festival. Find out what to see, what to do and where to go.

July 4 Beach Bash – Amelia Island, Florida

by

Celebrate July 4th with a Beach Bash at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Enjoy a full buffet, live entertainment, games, and fireworks. The beach bash will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are required. Adults are $75 and Children are $35. For event reservations and information, please call 904-277-1028.

Vilano Beach 4th of July Parade – Florida

by

Get into the patriotic spirit with some good old fun in Vilano Beach, just across the inlet from St Augustine. The festivities include a Forth of July parade where you win prizes for most patriotic boy or girl, most patriotic family, or best decorated dog to mention a few. Registration begins at 9 am and the event concludes at 1 pm to give you time to get back for fireworks.
Call 904.910.8386 for more information.