Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Things to do in South Carolina in July

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There are lot of events and fun happenings in coastal South Carolina during the month of July 2011. One of our favorite cities to visit is Charleston, SC, and there is never a shortage of things to see in Charleston. Here are a few of the events.

 

CHARLESTON

Shaggin’ on the Cooper

July 9, 2011
Shem Creek Boogie Band is performing at the  Mount Pleasant Pier during the Shaggin’ on the Cooper

Reggae Nights

July 9, 2011
Mystic Vibrations is playing in Wannamaker Park. Click here to read more about Reggae Nights.

Palette and Palate Stroll

July 15, 2011
Fine art and food connoisseurs will gather in Charleston to stroll through the historic downtown area, tasting food from twelve of the finest local restaurants inside twelve prestigious galleries.  More details available on our page for Palette and Palate Stroll in Charleston, SC.

Moonlight Mixer

July 15, 2011
Come to Folly Beach Pier where Jim Bowers of 1340 The Boardwalk will be spinning the hottest oldies and beach music. Read more about Moonlight Mixers here.

Reggae Nights

July 16, 2011
Da Gullah Rootz – James Island Country Park. Read more about Reggae Nights in Charleston.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

HarbourFest Hilton Head Island

One of the best way to spend a summer evening is at HarbourFest. This event has become a signature event during the warmer season at Shelter Cove Harbour. HarbourFest offers live entertainment every night of the week, and there’s even fireworks. All events at HarbourFest are free and open to the public. HarourFest takes place from April through September. Click here to read more.

MYRTLE BEACH

Hot Summer Nights Myrtle Beach

Spend an evening or two on the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There is live music, entertainment and much more — even fireworks. Read more about Hot Summer Nights here.

BEAUFORT

Beaufort Waterfestival

July 15 – 24, 2011

The festival has a little bit of everything from Water Craft Sports, and fishing events, to air show, arts & crafts, pageant, Blessing of the fleet, lots of sports events, live music and more. Just take a look at the massive schedule of events – click here for more about Beaufort Water Festival.

 

In August

Hootie and the Blowfish Concert

 

Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival

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This event is something for car enthusiasts of all kinds. It’s a great opportunity to watch beautiful cars in both Hilton Head, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

The festival kicks off already on Thursday Oct 29th in Savannah with the preparations for the race and there’s also a Happy Hour reception for drivers and fans at Johnson Square 5pm-8pm.

The Savannah/Hilton Head Speed Classic takes place at the newly renovated track at Hutchinson Island on Friday and Saturday.  The Speed Classic offers vintage racing and hot lap rides at racing speeds in the latest and greatest sports car models. So plan to spend a full day.

Then on Sunday it’s time for the Concourse d’Elegance at Coastal Discovery Museum in Hilton Head Island.
150 vintage cars and motorcycles (all Pre 1980) are competing for various prizes and awards. Also at the museum The Motoring Midway: From Memory Lane to the Fast Lane.  This is a two-day  exhibit with  interactive displays featuring both the new and the old,  including bikes of all kinds, new vehicle displays and much more.

Hilton Head concourse d’elegance takes place Oct 29 – 31. For more information visit www.hhiconcourse.com

concourse

Hilton Head Art Festival on Memorial Day Weekend

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An exciting new juried fine art show will debut Memorial Day weekend at Shelter Cove Harbour on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Hilton Head Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour will take place May 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

This two-day event brings together an eclectic mix of the nation’s most talented artists, as well as leading local and regional artists, who will collectively display over $15 million in artwork. The artists were juried by an independent panel of expert judges and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity. All of the artwork on display is original and handmade in America.

“In addition to a local contingency of artists, we’re looking forward to bringing a troupe of high-quality artists from around the country who have never exhibited in the Hilton Head area before,” says festival promoter Howard Alan.

“We’re delighted to host the Hilton Head Art Festival, an outstanding new festival that promises to delight area residents and visitors alike,” said Bret Martin, vice president of operations at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. “With its casual waterfront setting, Shelter Cove Harbour will serve as an ideal location to showcase original work by talented artists and artisans from around the country.”

The artists will line Shelter Cove Harbour with their professional display booths, transforming the waterfront shopping and dining destination into a first-class outdoor art gallery. The public can meet and talk with the artists personally, asking questions about their art and inspiration. The artistic media represented include paintings, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, collage and ceramics.

The Hilton Head Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour makes the arts accessible to a broad audience. Prices range from $25 hand-designed earrings to $20,000 metal sculptures. The event appeals to family and friends as a free and fun weekend activity, as well as serious art buyers interested in enhancing their collections.

Howard Alan comments, “In spite of today’s economy people are still investing in art because art heals, art soothes; this is art that is handmade in America.”

For details about Hilton Head Island Art Festival, click here.
Artist

Hilton Head Island Sea Food Festival 2009

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Come to Hilton Head Island for the annual seafood festival on Saturday April 25th. This event offers lots of fun for the whole family. If you love seafood – you can’t miss this one! But there’s not only delicious seafood to eat, there’s also a Bocce Ball Tournament, Crab Races,  Kid’s Zone and live entertainment. Visit the Seafood festival website for more.

Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival

Take a look at this video for more information about
Hilton Head Island Sea Food Festival 2009.

Right Whales Spotted Off Hilton Head Island

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On Friday Nov 28, Jennifer Gentzel, spotted two North Atlantic right whales while on a fishing trip with the family, reports the Island Packet.

The right whale is the world’s most endangered large whale, so Jennifer, a Hilton Head Island resident, and here family were lucky to see two right whales swimming next to their boat.
(Click here to read the story)
According to NOAA, the population is estimated to total no more than 600 right whales and out of those only 300-350 can be found in the North Atlantic Ocean.

In the winter, a small part of the population consisting of adult females and young calves migrates to a well-known calving ground in the shallow waters between Savannah, Georgia and Cape Canaveral, Florida. The peak period is December to March. Females give birth to only one calf every three to five years. Calves nurse for about nine months. Calves average 15 feet in length, and a full grown right whale can reach up to 50 feet in length and weigh up to 70 tons.

The life span and duration of reproductive activity for the right whale is not known. It’s also difficult to tell how old right whales can get. It’s believed that they live at least 50 years.

The right whale has no dorsal fin, an arched jaw, and growths on their heads called callosities. They were named right whales because the whalers thought it was the “right” whale to hunt. They swim slow, they’re big and they float when killed.

Nowadays major threats include collision with ships, distrubance by other boats, entrapment or entanglement in fishing gear, habitat degradation and pollution.