Nearly 2,000 people crammed onto the Sands Beach to enjoy good live music, good food, a hot dog eating contest and good old-fashioned patriotism for the annual Fourth of July celebration Wednesday in the Town of Port Royal. Participants were greeted by Janet Mulcahy, who gave out miniature American flags.

One could grab a grilled hot dog, a cold beverage, get one’s face painted with myriad designs, meander down to the beach, or hang out with friends and listen to music played by Main Street Band.

Once the sun set, the loud, distinctive boom could be heard across Battery Creek, signaling the start of the fireworks show on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, which was immediately followed by the fireworks show provided by the Town of Port Royal, resulting in a total of nearly 20 minutes of explosions in the sky.

<em>Photo at top:&nbsp;Kicking off the Fourth of July Celebration, Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray, left, leads the singing of the National Anthem with the help of town council members MaryBeth Hayward, Barry Lee of the Main Street Band and town councilmen Darryl Owens and Gerry Ashmore. Photos by Bob Sofaly.</em>
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