Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Fun Things To Do in June – Charleston, SC

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Wine Stroll

Charleston, SC, is always a beautiful place to visit in the Summer and there is always a lot going on in Charleston. One of our favorite places to visit is Middleton Place, and Arthur Middleton was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, so this is the time of year when a visit seems appropriate. There’s even a special naturalization ceremony to celebrate Independence Day.

There is of course a lot of other things to do in Charleston. Just walking around in the downtown district is an experience, and you might also want to visit Patriot’s Point. This is where the big 4th of July celebration is taking place. 

Here are some of the events in Charleston in June.

Wine Stroll Wednesdays
June 13, 20, 27
Middleton Place

Sip and stroll in a different garden location each week while sampling old and new world wine vintages. Special themed strolls are scheduled throughout the season.  The Wine Strolls take place from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Cost $15. Call  (800) 782-3608 for more information.

Movies at the Mount Pleasant Pier
Friday, June 15. Movie begins around sundown.
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and Pier

Come to the Great Lawn at the Town of Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park for movies under the stars!This time Back To The Future is screening. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a family-friendly film. Event admission is free.

Charleston Farmer’s Market
June 15, 22, 29 – Saturdays 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Marion Square, Downtown Charleston 

Visit Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square on Saturday mornings. Fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, plants, arts and crafts and more. This is an excellent place for people watching, or to have breakfast or brunch.

Read more about the Charleston Farmers Market here.

Folly Beach Pier

Folly Pier Fishing Tournament
Saturday, June 16, 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Folly Beach Fishing Pier

Come to a great fishing event at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, the second largest pier on the East Coast. Online registration open through June 14. On-site registration available June 16 beginning at 6 a.m. Tournament ends at 4 p.m. and prizes are awarded at 4:15. Prizes are awarded for the largest catch in the King Mackerel category and the three largest catches in the Big Fish category. For additional information, call the Folly Beach Fishing Pier at (843) 588-3474. Ages 3 & up. An adult chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Tournament held rain or shine.

Mt Pleasant, SC
Dance the night away in Mount Plesant, SC

Shaggin’ on the Cooper: The Cruiseomatics
Saturday, June 16, 7 – 11 p.m.
Mount Pleasant Pier

Dance the night away under the stars at the new Mount Pleasant Pier while enjoying live classic oldies and beach music performed by The Cruiseomatics. Beverages will be available for purchase on-site. As only 800 tickets will be sold for this event, advance purchase is recommended. Age: 3 & up. Fee: $10/$8 CCR Discount/$10 on-site if still available

Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series
Sunday, June 17, 7:15 a.m. race start
James Island County Park

Now in its 22nd year, the series will consist of five triathlons and will include a .3-mile swim, a 12-mile bike ride, and a 5K run. To register, contact Paul King at (843) 881-8872, or go to www.ccprc.com/csts. Open to ages 16 and up.

Moonlight Mixer
Friday, June 22, 7 – 11 p.m.
Folly Beach Fishing Pier

Dance the night away under the stars at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. DJ Jim Bowers of 1340 The Boardwalk will play the hottest oldies and beach music classics! Beverages, food, and snacks will be available for purchase. Tickets are limited, so advance purchase is recommended. No refunds or exchanges. Tickets: $10/$8 CCR (Charleston County Resident) Discount/$10 on-site if still available

middleton place charleston south carolina
Middleton Place

Naturalization Ceremony
June 26, 2012 – 10 a.m.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC 

Celebrate Arthur Middleton’s 270th birthday and welcome America’s newest citizens as they take the oath of citizenship at the home of an ardent patriot who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Reggae Concert Series: Da Gullah Rootz
Saturday, June 30, 7:30 – 11 p.m.
James Island County Park

Enjoy traditional old school roots reggae with a new school attitude in the beautiful outdoor setting of James Island County Park. Bring your chair or blanket and rock the night away to live music by Da Gullah Rootz! Food, beverage, and souvenirs will be available for purchase. Outside alcohol and coolers are prohibited. No advance tickets will be sold. Bands are subject to change. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.; music begins at 8:30 p.m. Fee: $8/Free: Gold Pass Holders & ages 12 & under. For more information about upcoming Reggae Nights, click here.

For more information about what to do in Charleston, visit www.charlestoncvb.com

REGGAE NIGHTS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES CHARLESTON

Camellias at Middleton Place – Charleston, SC

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The beautiful Camellias are blooming in the middle of winter at Middleton Place in Charleston, SC. The camellias enhance the Middleton Place Gardens with thousands of blossoms, from white to all shades of red and pink. The Camellia is a southern landscape favorite, and it show off an amazing variety of color throughout the winter months. It is said that the French botanist Andrè Michaux gave the Middletons some of the first camellias to be planted in an American garden. Some 50 years later, in 1838, a Middleton daughter wrote, “Papa called me to the terrace to admire the Camellias which I found in great beauty both the white and variegated…”

Now, the gardens at Middleton Place has over 3,500 camellias including many rare varieties as well as one of the four original Michaux plants, fondly referred to as the “Reine des Fleurs” or “Queen of Flowers”, and during this time Middleton Place offers special Camellia Walks to learn more about the fascinating plant. 

Enjoy the beauty of the blooming camellias while learning more about its history during a Camellia Walk. These tours are held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday beginning February 11th and continuing through March 24th, 2012. The special guided tours will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden Market & Nursery and last approximately an hour and a half.

There is no additional fee for the Camellia Walks but reservations are required. Adult admission is $25, students are $15, children (6-13) are $10 and 5 years old and under are free. For reservations and additional information, call (843) 556-6020 or visit www.middletonplace.org.

The camellia will also be the topic of a Free Seminar to be held at the Middleton Place Garden Market and Nursery on Saturday, February 18th at 1:00 pm. Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the care of camellias, when and where to plant them and what varieties work best in the southern garden. Sidney Frazier, VP Horticulture will conduct the informative seminar.

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Summer Wine Strolls at Middleton Place in July

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How about spending a relaxing Wednesday evening at one of Charleston’s most beautiful gardens? In July the popular Summer Wine Stroll at Middleton Place takes place on July 7, July 14, and July 21.

Enjoy a leisurely walk through America’s oldest landscaped gardens while sampling a variety of summer wines at Middleton Place. During each wine stroll Middleton Place will host the wine tasting in a different garden location.

Wine tasting in the gardens of Middleton Place takes place on Wednesdays from from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Cost is $10.00 per person and reservations are not required for the event.
Summer Wine Strolls every Wednesday through September.

For more information visit www.middletonplace.org or call (843) 556-6020.

Fourth of July in South Carolina

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There is no shortage of things to do in South Carolina for the 4th of July weekend.  Every city on the coast has its own way of celebrating the big day  – from festivals, to live music performances and of course fireworks.

Many of us visit coastal South Carolina for summer vacation, a coastal weekend getaway or maybe even romantic weekend getaway.

Here are some ideas of fun things to do for the 4th of July weekend 2010 in South Carolina.

MYRTLE BEACH
There are lots of events in Myrtle Beach – from fireworks to music and even an Italian festival.  Click here to check out our special page Fourth of July Events in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Murrels Inlet 4th of july boat parade
Boat Parade on 4th of July

MURRELLS INLET JULY 4TH BOAT PARADE
Many places have a parade to celebrate the Fourth of July, but in Murrells Inlet the festivities keep a coastal theme. This year it’s time for the 28th Annual July 4th Boat Parade.

Here you can see a line of red, white and blue decorated boats cruising down the creek for the Murrells Inlet Fourth of July parade. The theme for the 28th annual parade is “2010: Freedom is In”.

Boat decoration contest entry forms available at Garden City Realty, Dunes Realty, Crazy Sister Marina or Booty’s. Entry costs $5. You only need to enter if you want to be judged in the decoration contest. Any boat is welcome to join in the parade at no charge.

The best view of the parade is said to be the Marshwalk area. Plan to arrive early for a great viewing spot. The Boat Parade on July 4, 2010, starts at 1:00 pm at Garden City Point area, arriving around MarshWalk area around 1:45-2:00 pm.

After the boat parade, cool off at one of the many restaurants, have a cold beverage and relax. Finish off the day with fireworks.
Call 843-357-2007 for more information or visit murrellsinletsc.org

Fireworks – Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet also has a July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at 10pm. New for 2010 is the staging area – right off the end of Veterans Pier! Independence Day is a big day in Murrells Inlet and thousands of people are expected to line the shores for the fireworks. For more information call 843-357-2007.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

The 25th Annual Hilton Head Firecracker 5000 Road Race and Family Fun Walk will be held on Sunday, July 4 at 8:00am from the Mall at Shelter Cove.
The Time Warner Cable Firecracker 5000, is the largest and oldest road race in Beaufort County. Over 1000 runners and walkers of all ages and ability from across the United States annually participate in this fun event.
www.bearfootsports.com

SHELTER COVE

There’s a special Fourth of July fireworks show at Shelter Cove Harbour, offering a vibrant extravaganza of light over the harbor.

Go here to visit our page about Hilton Head Island – 4th of July

CHARLESTON

Patriot’s Point
The Fourth of July Blast at Patriot’s Point in Charleston, South Carolina, is the ultimate Independence Day celebration.  The fireworks show 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.
Read all about the 4th of July Blast at Patriot’s Point

Independence Weekend at Middleton Place
Middleton Place starts already on Friday July 2, 2010, with a special Naturalization Ceremony.  There is no more suitable place in Charleston, SC, for a Naturalization Ceremony than Middleton Place, the home of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 60-75 candidates will pledge alligence to the flag and become U.S.  citizens at this event.  Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and Middleton Place Foundation President Charles Duell will kick off the ceremony at 10:00 a.m. under the grand live oaks.  The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services will swear in the candidates. Color guard and costumed interpreters will present theflag and sing the national anthem. This event is open to the publics.  Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.  Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.  America’s newest citizens are welcome to tour the gardens after the ceremony free of charge.

middleton place charleston south carolinaFourth of July at Middleton Place
American Revolution period comes to life at historic Middleton Place.  Guests can interact with war reenactors from the Second South Carolina Regiment and visit their encampment in the Plantation Stableyards.  Musket firing, cooking and camp-life demonstrations on the Greensward, and special House Museum tours focusing on Arthur Middleton and the American Revolution.  At 1:00 p.m. on both days, visitors can hear formal readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Most of the 4th of July weekend festivities are complimentary with the purchase of general admission.  House and carriage tours are an additional nominal fee.

American Revolution period comes to life at historic Middleton Place.  Guests can interact with war reenactors from the Second South Carolina Regiment and visit their encampment in the Plantation Stableyards.  Musket firing, cooking and camp-life demonstrations on the Greensward, and special House Museum tours focusing on Arthur Middleton and the American Revolution.  At 1:00 p.m. on both days, visitors can hear formal readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Most of the 4th of July weekend festivities are complimentary with the purchase of general admission.  House and carriage tours are an additional nominal fee.  For more information, call (843) 556-6020 or visit www.middletonplace.org

Uncle Sam Jam on July 4
Come to Mount Pleasant Pier to enjoy live beach music under the stars. The music starts at 8 p.m. This Independence Day, the East Coast Party Band is performing. The pier is located at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge on Charleston Harbor.

The Mount Pleasant Pier will be a great spot to view the area’s fireworks displays!  Gates open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m.  Tickets will be limited, so purchase yours in advance.  On-site tickets, if available, will be $10.  Beverages will be available for purchase on site.
For more information, call 843-795-4FUN or visit www.ccprc.com.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC

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Join the fun and come to an Easter Eggstravaganza at Middleton Place. This year the organizers are going green and have created an eco-friendly Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 3 Paper mache eggs have been chosen instead of plastic, and real hard-boiled eggs are standing by for decorating. There are also clay eggs made by the Stableyard’s potter and “prize” eggs filled with gift certificates redeemable at the Garden Market or Museum Shop. The fun begins at 11:00 am.

In the Plantation Stableyards, kids can learn how to color eggs by using vegetables, plants, flowers and other natural items. There is also a special an Easter Bunny meet and greet, story time station, and arts and crafts area. During the day games such as egg rolls on the parterre, egg tosses and more are available. Spring is also the time of year when kids and adults can enjoy seeing new baby lambs, chicks and bunnies.

Reservations are requested. Please call (843) 556-6020. Regular gate admission, $25 adults and $5 for children ages 7-15. Children 6 and under admitted free with paid adult.