| Hilton
Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry
of South Carolina offer constant activities
and events as well as the obvious; golf,
tennis, beach, shopping, dining, boating,
sailing, horseback riding, day trips, nature
walks & various art leagues and
organizations to keep you busy.
Southern
Beaufort County hosts festivals, recreation
events and fund-raisers throughout the year,
offering food, entertainment, wine tasting
and major sports competitions.
The following list is just a sampling and is
not intended to be all inclusive. For an
up-to-date listing of upcoming area events,
check out The Island Packet's Web site at
www.islandpacket.com
|
|
| JANUARY |
| Winter
Carnival is sponsored by the Hilton
Head Area Hospitality Association
and runs from Jan. 1 through Feb.
29. The carnival includes events
such as jazz, a food and wine
tasting, special kayaking tours, a
black-tie opera performance, an art
exhibit, beach tours and road races. |
| FEBRUARY |
| Native
Islander Gullah Celebration
showcases the arts, music, food and
lifestyle of the area's native sea
islanders. Participants also learn
about the Gullah culture through a
Freedom Day Celebration of the 13th
Amendment abolishing slavery, with
poetry readings, music and
historical presentations. And the
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
sponsors a Gullah Art Show. |
| MARCH |
| SpringFest,
a month long, islandwide series of
events celebrating spring as the
unofficial welcome of the coming
season, featuring the Chocolate
Fair, WineFest, HealthFest, WingFest,
and SweetTastes. Special arts
demonstrations, kayak clinics and
tours, road races, golf and tennis
tournaments and musical concerts
also contribute to the celebration.
Youth
Arts Fest, a daylong event sponsored
by the Arts Center of Coastal
Carolina, features childrens'
choirs, kids art and activities just
for youngsters.
The
Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day
Parade and the Savannah St.
Patrick's Day Parade are other big
events.
|
| APRIL |
| The
MCI Heritage of Golf tournament
takes place at Harbour Town Golf
Links, bringing to the area the best
names in golf to compete for the
coveted tartan jacket. This event
also is nationally televised. Davis
Love III won the 2003 tournament.
Annual
Art & Flowers Festival is
sponsored by the Hilton Head Art
League at Windmill Harbour.
|
| MAY |
| The
Bluffton Village Festival features
arts and crafts vendors, lemonade
and barbecue, as well as the Ugly
Dog Contest.
All
Saints Episcopal Church Annual
Garden Tour features local gardens,
a homemade lunch, an arts and crafts
bazaar and a bake sale, which
benefits local children.
The
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
spotlights Family Fiesta Latina, a
daylong celebration of Latin
American music, food and dancing.
|
| JUNE |
| HarbourFest
at Shelter Cove Harbour is on
Tuesday evenings through Labor Day
and features crafts, food, music,
children's activities and more,
culminating with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Murder
at the Mansion dinner theatre
performances are held at Port Royal
Clubhouse and runs from June 17
through Aug. 29.
|
| JULY |
| July
Fourth celebrations take place at
Harbour Town, Shelter Cove Harbour
and Skull Creek Marina. Food, music,
crafts, magic shows and face
painting for children are topped off
with fireworks displays at each
location.
The
Hallelujah Singers, a Gullah musical
troupe, performs at the Arts Center
of Coastal Carolina from the end of
July through the first part of
August.
|
| AUGUST |
| Skywatch
is sponsored by Coastal Discovery
Museum.
The
23rd Annual Hilton Head Island
Celebrity Golf Tournament, a Labor
Day weekend charity event slated
from Aug. 29-31, brings in stars of
television, film, music and sports
to benefit local children's
charities.
|
| SEPTEMBER |
| Food
Fest, sponsored by the Hilton Head
Area Hospitality Association, brings
many of the island's restaurants
together to allow the community to
sample specialties from several
local eateries. Beverages, music,
and contests, all at the Shelter
Cove Community Park. |
| OCTOBER |
| Evening
of the Arts, slated for Oct. 4 at
the Country Club of Hilton Head, is
a fund-raising event for which
dozens of local artists donate works
of art that are for sale. The event
benefits the Island School Council.
All-Women's
Fishing Tournament is sponsored by
Palmetto Bay Marina.
The
19th Annual Chili Cook-off,
sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of
Hilton Head, features both
professional and amateur
competitions. This year it will be
held on Oct. 4 at Historic Honey
Horn Plantation on Hilton Head
Island.
|
| NOVEMBER |
| Taste
of the Season lets residents sample
cuisine from some of the area's
finest restaurants. Sponsored by the
Hilton Head Island Chamber of
Commerce. The event will be held
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the
Port Royal Clubhouse.
Festival
of Trees and Lights, slated for Nov.
24-Dec. 9, is a benefit that brings
out the best Christmas decorations
from local businesses and
individuals, all on display and for
sale at The Mall at Shelter Cove.
The event is sponsored by and
benefits Hilton Head Preparatory
School. Proceeds also benefit Deep
Well.
Lowcountry
Soup Challenge allows everyone to
taste the area's best soups. The
event benefits Volunteers in
Medicine and is sponsored by Hilton
Head Factory Stores I and II.
Hargray
Hilton Head Island Bridge Run, a 10k
run, and various island-wide events,
produced by Bear Foot Sports is
scheduled for Nov. 15.
The
Community Christmas Tree Lighting
takes place after Thanksgiving in
the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
parking lot.
|
| DECEMBER |
| Holiday
Caroling Hayrides, sponsored by Sea
Pines Recreation, are a great way to
get into the spirit of the season.
Enjoy a festive hayride through Sea
Pines Forest Preserve while singing
holiday carols. |
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