<em>Photo above: There was plenty of fun to be had throughout the Beaufort area over the long July 4 weekend, from fireworks to parades to barbecues and more. Not to be outdone by the adults, 23-month-old Becca Matthews of Franklin, Tenn., rides her red wagon in the annual Lands End Fourth of July parade on St. Helena Island. Photos by Bob Sofaly.&nbsp;</em>

[caption id="attachment_32800" align="aligncenter" width="2110"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC0657.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32800"><img class="size-full wp-image-32800" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC0657.jpg" alt="This float was designed as pirate ship, complete with cannons." width="2110" height="2953"></a> This float was designed as pirate ship.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_32802" align="aligncenter" width="2613"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC0615.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32802"><img class="size-full wp-image-32802" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC0615.jpg" alt="Gibson O’Neal, center, has some difficulty with his bubble wand during the annual Lands End Fourth of July parade on July 1 on St. Helena Island. Unable to get any serious bubbles generated, Gibson took to throwing candy to onlookers." width="2613" height="1806"></a> Gibson O’Neal, center, has some difficulty with his bubble wand during the annual Lands End Fourth of July parade on July 1 on St. Helena Island. Unable to get any serious bubbles generated, Gibson took to throwing candy to onlookers.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_32801" align="aligncenter" width="3051"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC0634-1.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32801"><img class="size-full wp-image-32801" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC0634-1.jpg" alt="Some participants walked in the annual Lands End Fourth of July parade. Here, some wear placards commenting about different times throughout American history." width="3051" height="2001"></a> Some participants walked in the annual Lands End Fourth of July parade. Here, some wear placards commenting about different times throughout American history.[/caption]