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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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.

Black History Month at Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina

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Brookgreen Celebrates Black History Month

Murrells Inlet, SC- In observance of Black History Month, Brookgreen Gardens will present two program opportunities that are free with garden admission.

On Saturday, February 13, at 1:00 p.m., The Healing Force, a four-member performance troupe from Winston-Salem, NC, offers a lively celebration of Africa with stories and songs, in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. The program is free with garden admission. A special cultural menu in the Pavilion Restaurant will be offered the day of the performance.

On Wednesday, February 17 and 24, Ron Daise, Brookgreen’s Vice President for Creative Education, will present a program of selected readings, songs and photographs from his book Gullah Branches, West African Roots at 1 p.m. in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. This participatory presentation tells about the journey of enslaved Africans to Gullah communities and culture. The program is free with garden admission.

Please Note: 2010 admission prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 and up), $6 for children (4-12) and free for children three and under.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open to the public daily. For more information, visit our web site at www.brookgreen.org or call 843-235-6000.