Lowcountry summer

Summer. For many of us it’s our favorite time of the year. And I couldn’t agree with author Kellie Elmore, well, more: “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.”

Lowcountry summers are the why behind our annual, robust visitor brigade. They bring that irresistible combination of sweet, seasonal fruit, frothy cold brews, warm evening breezes and refreshing splashes in our local waterways. And it’s also a time to come together as a community and celebrate the freedom we enjoy today because of those who came before us.

The July 4th holiday and our peak beach season is always a special time for family traditions on Hilton Head Island. For those who love the sound of freedom while enjoying a beach day, there’s the annual Salute from the Shore flyover that starts in North Carolina and ends here in the Lowcountry at 1:30 p.m.

In addition to the rousing July 4th fireworks displays at Harbour Town in Sea Pines and Shelter Cove Marina, residents and visitors alike are free to “ooh and ahh” at firework displays during Shelter Cove Marina’s Harbourfest on Tuesdays throughout the summer.

For those brave enough to stand our signature humidity, there’s the USA 5K at Coligny Beach and the Firecracker 5K at Honey Horn, both on the morning of July 4th.
Even more family-friendly fun that also supports our local community can be found at these upcoming events:

• Party in the Park, bi-weekly Thursdays, now through July 24 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Lowcountry Celebration Park.
• 2025 Jazz in the Park Series, bi-weekly Tuesdays, now through Sept. 2 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Lowcountry Celebration Park.
• Movie Nights in the Park, Thursdays, now through Aug. 14 from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at Shelter Cove Community Park.
• Sunset Celebrations, Fridays, July 11-Aug. 15 from 7-10pm at Shelter Cove Community Park.
• Summer Jams, July 4 & Tuesdays, July 8-29 from 5:30-9:300m at Shelter Cove Community Park.

Last month, we observed the national Juneteenth holiday (June 19th) and commemorated the end of slavery in the U.S. During several days of festivities and fellowship at the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, I was honored to share a proclamation with attendees honoring the resilience and contributions of all Black Americans, and in particular the African Americans who established the first self-governed freedmen’s community in the nation.

According to exploremitchelville.org, “Mitchelville became a vibrant, self-governed community, both defined and accentuated by the customs and cultures of native islanders, the Gullahs, and those brought to America from a multitude of countries and islands. At its height, Mitchelville boasted 1,500 to 3,000 residents and demonstrated freedom and opportunity for African Americans diverse in backgrounds and origins.”

The Town proudly supports Mitchelville Park’s ongoing endeavors to educate and inspire residents, visitors, and others to learn and grow from efforts made to preserve this rich cultural history and Gullah Geechee community traditions, right here on Hilton Head Island.

Alan Perry is the mayor of the Town of Hilton Head Island. AlanP@hiltonheadislandsc.gov