This year, it seems like every celebration is dialed up just a little bit bigger.
As the United States of America prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom and independence, every party across this great nation will be just a little bit more impressive this year. The backyard barbecues will be more epic, the fireworks will be brighter, the music will be louder, and the red, white, and blue patriotic fervor will be off the charts.
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina’s famous summer-long HarbourFest is no different, even if it seems hard to believe that a party like this could possibly get any bigger. Now entering its 37th year, this beloved event has come to define over-the-top entertainment on Hilton Head Island for decades, from live music to its carnival-like atmosphere to the weekly fireworks. And in those decades, generations of families from all over the world have flocked to the waterside promenade with its iconic shops and restaurants for a street party and celebration that somehow always finds new ways to amaze.
Fireworks light up the night every Tuesday through Aug 18 (plus July 4th) for HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.
So how do you crank “over-the-top” one notch higher for our nation’s semiquincentennial celebration?
A visitor gets her hair braided during the event by Salon Shelter Cove.
“That has always been the mandate with HarbourFest – finding new ways to top ourselves. Even after 37 years, we keep finding opportunities to raise the bar. And of course, this year carries even higher expectations,” said Brad Marra, COO of Palmetto Dunes Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. “With the 250th birthday of our country, we’ve visually expanded the vibe around the shops, restaurants, and the marina with custom banner graphics around the property.”
Cappy the Clown has been a staple on Hilton Head Island for 40 years now. CH2’s Jevon Daly first met her when he was 11 years old!
That extra helping of American bombast will wind its way into every aspect of HarbourFest that has made it such a treasured family tradition on Hilton Head Island. Family-friendly troubadour Shannon Tanner will naturally be filling the air with his singalong blend of kids songs and standards, with shows running throughout the week at the central pavilion. Delighting kids of all ages with her face painting, balloon animals, and sand art, Cappy the Clown will laugh and smile her way through the crowd five days a week. Adding to the festival atmosphere, bouncy houses will resonate with the excited squeals of happy children while train rides take passengers up and down the scenic harbour.
Nigel Jeffers’ steel drums filling the air with Caribbean-inspired beats and good vibes.
Naturally, the Tuesday night fireworks will be even more spectacular than ever this year, with a special Fourth of July show that will be one for the record books.
The Donovan family from Pennsylvania has been coming to Hilton Head Island and enjoying HarbourFest since the 90s.
To commemorate the added excitement that comes from this year’s HarbourFest, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina commissioned local artist Amiri Farris to capture the energy through his art. A celebrated interdisciplinary creator whose works have been featured at museums and galleries around the world, his vibrant pieces have come to serve as a visual shorthand for the flair, culture, and beauty of the Lowcountry.
“I was inspired to create this artwork after visiting HarbourFest during the many summers and experiencing the energy of families, music, fireworks, and community gathering along the waterfront,” Farris said. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, I wanted to capture the joy, freedom, and shared traditions that bring people together while highlighting the unique coastal spirit of Hilton Head Island and the Sea Islands.”
Karen Kozemchak, director of marketing for Palmetto Dunes, hands HarbourFest fans to guests enjoying Shannon Tanner’s show. Local artist Amiri Farris was commissioned for the design.
Jonathan of Treasure Island poses with his lightsabers before darkness falls and they light up the night.
For a party that has become synonymous with big moments that stay with visitors for life, HarbourFest has given itself a tall challenge in creating something even bigger for our 250th birthday. But as crowds have already discovered during the early installments of HarbourFest fireworks in June, they have met that challenge with a bang.
A cute red train makes its way around the harbour to the delight of onlookers.
HarbourFest fireworks run every Tuesday through August 18 along with a special July Fourth show. See the full schedule, including entertainment, at ShelterCoveHarbourFest.com.
A make-your-own-hat-bar is one of the newest offerings for this year’s HarbourFest.