Activities at Hunting Island State Park
There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeier.
Sundays: Sand/Candy Art, 11 a.m.; Do You Want To Build a Snow Globe (March 15, 22), 2 p.m.
Mondays: Reptiles of the Lowcountry (March 16), 11 a.m.; A Walk In The Woods (March 16), 3 p.m.; Secrets of the Salt Marsh, 4 p.m.; Full Moon Lighthouse Climb (March 9), 7 p.m.
Tuesdays: Driftwood Painting, 11 a.m.; Beach Walk, 3 p.m.
Wednesdays: Alligator Talk, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.
Thursdays: Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m.; Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m.
Fridays: Nature Center 20th Anniversary Celebration, 1 p.m.; Fish Printing (March 6, 13, 27), 2 p.m.
Saturdays: Sunrise Lighthouse Climb (March 28), 6:45 a.m.; Tie-Die, 11 a.m.; No Bones About It (March 7, 21), 1 p.m.; Driftwood Painting, 2 p.m.
For a description of these programs and a complete calendar of activities, go to southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island and click on “Programs & Events.”
All are invited to attend these free events, though there is an entry fee to Hunting Island State Park and reservations are needed for lighthouse programs. For more information, call 843-838-7437 or go to the Friends of Hunting Island website and the Facebook page: FOHI Sea Turtle Conservation Project.
Donate non-perishable foods to YMCA
Snowbirds! Wondering what to do with your unopened, non-perishable food items at the end of your stay? Drop them off at the YMCA and we’ll deliver them to a local food bank on your behalf. The YMCA is conveniently located in Port Royal at 1801 Richmond Ave. For more information, call 843-522-9622 or email beaufort-jasperymca.org.
Hunting Island Lighthouse Tours
10 a.m., every Thursday (March 19, 26) and some Tuesdays (March 17, 24). The Friends of Hunting Island will present Lighthouse tours of the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. Keeper Ted and his team will tell you all about the history of the Lighthouse, which was built in 1875 and is the only Lighthouse in South Carolina open to visitors. If you are at least 44 inches tall you may also climb the 167 steps to the top of the Lighthouse. Reservations are recommended by calling the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Regular Thursday tours are $2 per person. Park entry fees apply.
Friends of Fort Fremont / Southeast Chapter of the Native Plant Society oyster roast
5:30-8 p.m. Friday, March 13, Live Oak Park, Port Royal. The Friends of Fort Fremont and the Southeast Chapter of the Native Plant Society will be holding their annual fundraiser. Tickets are $30 per person and include oysters, chili, appetizers, and dessert. There will be live music by the Sweet Ferns and amazing silent auction items. Tickets may be purchased at www.fortfremont.org or by check payable to Friends of Fort Fremont, Box 982, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920. For more information, call Janelle Proctor at 843-441-3036
3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 14, Beaufort Town Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Area restaurants and food trucks will be selling food and drinks, and there will be live entertainment. The event will also have activities for children of all ages. New to the Festival this year will be an adult and kids costume contest. The event benefits Beaufort County Animal Services. The Festival is accepting vendor applications online until March 1. Additional information can be found on the Beaufort Town Center website (www.beauforttowncenter.com) and Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/BeaufortTownCenter).
The Pickled Eagle Championship pickleball tournament
8 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Beaufort High School Tennis Courts. On site registation begins at 7:30 a.m. Cost $40, $5 for each additional division. Double elimination. Skill divisions: 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0. Two division of singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Age divisions restricted to 50+, 60+ and 70+. To register online, go to pickleballtournaments.com and search pickledeagle. Register online and get a free T-shirt. Proceeds go to the Beaufort High School tennis team.
America’s Boating Course
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Saturday, March 21 and Saturday, March 28, Port Royal Town Hall, 700 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Offered by America’s Boating Club of Beaufort. If you are new to boating, have never taken the course or just want to refresh your knowledge about boating this is a course to consider. Learn the basics of recreational boating in this National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved class. Satisfies South Carolina Boating Educational Course Requirements. And many boat insurance companies offer discounts to graduates. Price: $75 includes book and navigation tools; additional person in household sharing the book is $17. Contact hlontz@yahoo.com for more information.
Believe In A Better Coast Oyster Roast
2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 15, Lady’s Island Oyster, 14 Hutson Lane, Seabrook. Fundraiser for Richard Hricik, Democrat for S.C. Senate District 43. Minimum $45 donation includes oysters, beer, wine. Children 13 and younger free. For more information or to RSVP, call Emily at 843-532-3434 or email thankyou@richardforsc.com.
Monday night is Movie Night
7 p.m. Mondays, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online (www.uscbcenterforthearts.com) or at the USCB Center for the Arts box office. Upcoming schedule: March 16 – A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood; March 23 – 1917; April 27 – Little Women.
Adaptive Golf Experience Coaches Training
5-8 p.m. Friday, March 20 at Parris Island Four Winds and 8 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at Parris Island Driving Range. With PGA/LPGA Master Golf Professional Judy Alvarez. Cost $20 per person. Included Friday dinner and book. Workshop designed for therapists and volunteers who want to serve as Adaptive Golf Coaches. For more information or to register, go toAdaptiveGolfExperience.com.
FWDG hosting nature photographer John Nickerson
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21, FWDG, 745 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort. Local furniture store FWDG is hosting award-winning nature photographer John Nickerson (Leaning Palm Studio). Guests will have an opportunity to meet the photographer and view his prints. Nickerson’s work is centered around capturing the beauty of South Carolina natural world. Fifteen percent of the purchase price of the prints will be donated to the Port Royal Sound Foundation. FWDG will also donate $500 to the Foundation. The photography pop-up gallery is free to attend and open to the public.
