By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Fireworks, parades and good music – there is no shortage of Americana-themed activities to celebrate the Fourth of July in Beaufort County.
There are plenty of family friendly patriotic events as well as adult-only events, catering to everyone in the community.
County-wide
Salute from the Shore Flyover – This event will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and can be seen from most areas in Beaufort County. The military flyover will begin at Cherry Grove at 1 p.m. and will end in Beaufort at about 1:35 p.m., for the F-16s with the Warbird Flight showing up approximately an hour later at 2:35 p.m.
Beaufort
4th Annual Firecracker 5K Run – The 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 4, on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. Participants will run through downtown Beaufort and across Woods Bridge.
Port Royal
4th of July Celebration and Fireworks at the Sands – The annual fireworks show will be set off over the Beaufort River after dark. Before then, live music, activities for kids and families, food vendors and a performance by the “Iron Mic” Parris Island Marine Band can be enjoyed at Sands Beach on Friday, July 4, from 5 to 10 p.m. Coolers, pets (apart from service dogs) and firearms or concealed weapons are prohibited. The boat ramp will close on July 3 at midnight and volunteers will be shuttling people to and from their vehicles throughout the evening.
St. Helena Island
Juke Joint Jam at Penn Center – A Fourth of July party for members of the community who are over 25 and want to celebrate the Gullah Geechee culture with community, music and dancing. The event will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and will go until midnight at the Penn Center’s Frissell Community House at 16 Penn Center Circle on St. Helena Island. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online.
Fripp Island
Fripp Island Golf Cart Parade – The parade will feature golf carts decorated to reflect the superhero theme. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4, on Fripp Island and is free to attend.
Fripp Island Independence Day 5K – Walkers and runners are invited to participate in this year’s patriotic 5K on Thursday, July 3, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Creekhouse at Fripp Island Resort.
Fripp Island Fireworks – Fireworks will begin at dusk on Fripp Island Beach on Friday, July 4, after dusk.
Bluffton
Bluffton Independence Day Pre-Party and Fireworks – Bounce houses, food vendors, carnival games, live music and fireworks over the May River beginning at 9 p.m. at this free event at Martin Family and DuBois Parks from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, in Bluffton.
Parking will be available at M.C. Riley Elementary School at 200 Burnt Church Road and free Palmetto Breeze shuttles will be available to take attendees to Oyster Factory Park. There will be handicapped parking spaces at Town Hall at 20 Bridge Street.
Hilton Head Island
Fourth of July Concert with Gregg Russell – Hilton Head musician Gregg Russell will be holding a fun concert under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town in Sea Pines on Friday, July 4, at 8 p.m.
HarbourFest Fireworks and Entertainment – Carnival games, face painting, live music and fireworks at Shelter Cover Harbour and Marina. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks will begin at dusk on Friday, July 4.
Harbour Town Fourth of July Parade – The parade will feature decorated bikes, wagons and pets and will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4, in Harbour Town.
Firecracker 5K Run and Family Fun Walk – The 41st Hilton Head Firecracker race will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 4, at Honey Horn Park on Hilton Head Island. Register for the race at hiltonheadfirecracker5000.com.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
