Fireworks, family fun, patriotic traditions return for Independence Day
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
From downtown Beaufort to the Sands in Port Royal and west to Yemassee, northern Beaufort County residents will have several ways to celebrate Independence Day as the country marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This year’s Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, giving families a full day of patriotic events, community traditions, fireworks and reminders of the Lowcountry’s deep connection to the military, the water and American history.
The holiday will begin early in downtown Beaufort with HELP of Beaufort’s annual Firecracker 5K. The race begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Bay and Newcastle streets before taking runners through Beaufort’s historic downtown and across the Woods Memorial Bridge on a certified 5K course. Proceeds from the annual race benefit HELP of Beaufort, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance and other essential services to residents facing financial hardship.
Because of the race, the Woods Memorial Bridge will be closed to both vehicle traffic and marine navigation, including tugs and tugs with tows, from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Motorists traveling between Beaufort and Port Royal during that time should plan alternate routes or allow additional travel time.
During and following the Firecracker 5K, the downtown celebration continues with the Community Freedom Fest at the Waterfront park, hosted by the City of Beaufort.
Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a fun-filled morning of patriotic celebration featuring family-friendly activities, games, a kids DJ and community organizations.
The festivities kick off at 9 a.m., with the Kids & Family Parade. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes, wagons, strollers, and more in red, white, and blue and join the parade as it travels from 500 Carteret Street to Waterfront Park. To participate, register at https://form.jotform.com/261475583021152.
For many families, the day will end in Port Royal, where the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration at The Sands remains one of the area’s most popular Independence Day traditions.
Festivities will begin at noon with DJ Kev on the Beach and select vendors, followed by additional food vendors opening at 3 p.m. Throughout the afternoon and evening, families can enjoy children’s activities, live entertainment and a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band at 8 p.m. before fireworks light up the Beaufort River at dusk.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and bring chairs or blankets. Parking is expected to fill quickly, and traffic entering and leaving Port Royal will likely be heavy before and after the fireworks display.
Farther west, the Town of Yemassee will host its own Independence Day celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park and the Train Station. The event will feature music, food, family activities, guest speakers, a community parade and a fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m.
The parade welcomes walkers, wagons, bicycles, tricycles, scooters and golf carts, giving families an opportunity to participate in the celebration. Trucks and passenger vehicles will not be permitted in the parade.
Residents spending the holiday at Hunting Island, Fripp Island or other area beaches may also be able to catch the annual Salute From the Shore military flyover. The annual tribute is expected to pass the Beaufort coastline around 1 p.m., featuring military aircraft flying the length of South Carolina’s coast to honor active-duty service members, veterans and their families.
Those traveling to Hilton Head Island for Shelter Cove HarbourFest should also plan ahead. Fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina will begin after dark, weather permitting. A free shuttle will operate continuously from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., from HHI Community Church, 860 William Hilton Parkway, to Shelter Cove Harbour. Organizers are also encouraging attendees to bike or walk when possible and reminding pedestrians and cyclists traveling from Palmetto Dunes to use the pedestrian underpass beneath U.S. 278.
As families prepare for the holiday weekend, local officials are encouraging residents and visitors to celebrate safely by staying hydrated, using sunscreen, supervising children around fireworks and allowing extra travel time as thousands of people are expected to attend celebrations throughout the county.
Organizers are encouraging residents to arrive early for events, prepare for warm weather and expect increased traffic throughout the day, especially around the Firecracker 5K, Port Royal’s evening fireworks and other popular holiday celebrations. Most events are free and open to the public.
Know Before You Go — Saturday, July 4
HELP of Beaufort Firecracker 5K
- When: Saturday, July 4
- Time: 8 a.m.
- Where: Begins at Bay and Newcastle streets in downtown Beaufort
Woods Memorial Bridge Closure
- Closed to vehicle and marine traffic from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. for the Firecracker 5K.
Community Freedom Fest
- When: Saturday, July 4
- Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, downtown Beaufort
- Kids & Family Parade, family-friendly activities, games, a kids DJ
Port Royal Fourth of July Celebration
- Where: The Sands
- Noon: DJ Kev on the Beach and select vendors
- 3 p.m.: Food vendors open
- 8 p.m.: U.S. Marine Corps Band
- Dusk: Fireworks
Yemassee Independence Day Celebration
- Where: Veterans Memorial Park and Train Station
- Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
- Community parade, music, food and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Salute From the Shore
- Military flyover expected over the Beaufort coastline around 1:30 p.m.
Hilton Head Shelter Cove HarbourFest
- Free shuttle service operates from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. from HHI Community Church to Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.
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.