By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The Fourth of July, otherwise known as Independence Day, is right around the corner.
The holiday celebrates the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence – a document which was instrumental in establishing America as an independent nation from Great Britain at the start of the Revolutionary War.
For many, the day is spent celebrating with fireworks and barbeque cookouts at home, but there are a few options for those who which to celebrate with the community.
3rd Annual Beaufort 5K Firecracker Run
Help of Beaufort is hosting its 3rd annual Firecracker 5K Race on Thursday, July 4, in downtown Beaufort.
The race begins at 8 a.m. on Bay and Newcastle Streets.
Runners will continue down Bay Street through historic downtown Beaufort and will turn onto Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge “following a certified 5K course.”
After crossing Woods Bridge, runners will turn down Meridian Road to Youmans Drive before turning around and following the same route back to the start.
Participants can pick up their packets at Grounded Running, located at 2139 Boundary Street, Suite 108, in Beaufort, on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
T-shirt and T-shirt sizes are not guaranteed for participants who registered after June 1, 2024.
Same day entries can register on race day from 7 a.m. 7:40 a.m. on July 4.
Runners were also able to register as a Virtual Participant this year. According to the sign-up website, Virtual Participants can receive a t-shirt for an additional $15 and have their shirt mailed to them.
Registration for Virtual Participants cost $25 and ends on June 30 at 11:59 p.m.; registration for in-person runners ends on June 28 at 5 p.m.
The event is pet and stroller friendly, although flexi-type leashes will not be allowed. Pets must have a 4-to-6-foot lead.
Registration is non-refundable.
If the event is not able to be hosted in person with a live race, it will be transferred to a virtual format.
The age categories for the race are under 12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.
Proceeds will go to benefit HELP of Beaufort, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing, food and short-term assistance to people in need in the Beaufort community.
Salute From The Shore
The 15th annual Salute From The Shore will be visible from Beaufort coasts between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on July 4, although times are approximate so it is recommended you arrive early.
According to their website, the F-16s are expected to fly over the Beaufort coastline at 1:35 p.m. and the C-17 is expected to pass over at 1:54 p.m.
The F-16 aircraft are scheduled to take off from McEntire Joint National Guard Base at 1 p.m. and the C-17 will take off from Charleston Air Force Base
The flyover, which can typically be seen well from Beaufort beaches, is susceptible to delays from weather conditions and mechanical issues, so the organization advises people to be patient as they enjoy the Lowcountry’s coasts.
They advise spectators to get creative and do something big to salute the aircrafts.
“Photos of the aircrafts are great. Photos of people saluting aircrafts are better,” the website said.
Spectators are encouraged to take their Salute images and videos with #SalutefromtheShore.
The first Salute From The Shore took place on July 4, 2010, and it offers a unique opportunity for beach-goers to salute our armed forces while they celebrate Independence Day.
4th of July Celebration at Sands Beach in Port Royal
The Town of Port Royal is hosting its annual daylong celebration featuring food trucks, live music and fireworks, according to a post made by the town to Facebook.
The celebration will begin at noon on July 4 at Sands Beach in Port Royal with the local Boy Scouts along with other food vendors selling food.
Fly Pies, Lawyers BBQ, Snack Shake, Tropical Treasures and Blue Sky Italian Ice will be on site selling food and drinks.
DJ Kev Greaves will be playing music throughout the event, and “Iron Mic” Parris Island Marine Band will also play.
Firearms and concealed weapons are prohibited at the event and only service dogs will be allowed.
No coolers will be allowed at the event.
The annual event will feature a fireworks show that will take place after sunset.
The road to Sands Beach will be shut down to traffic, but golf carts will be allowed.
All golf carts will need to be gone by 8 p.m. or will have to wait until all pedestrians have cleared the area following the fireworks.
Parking is available on Paris Avenue and there will be golf carts available to shuttle people to Sands Beach.
In its weekly newsletter, Port Royal announced that is is looking for volunteers who own golf carts to assist with transporting people from Paris Avenue down to the Sands.
The rides are free, but donations are being accepted for the rides, and all proceeds will go to benefit the Cypress Wetlands.
“If you or someone you know can help, please let us know,” the newsletter read. “The more volunteers we have, the merrier the event will be!”
This event is free and open to the public.
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.
Keywords: Delayna Earley, The Island News, Beaufort, SC, South Carolina, Port Royal, Ladys Island, Lowcountry
