4tyOfJuly-FeatureImage Lindsey Harrell | Hilton Head Island Outdoor Vibe
Hilton Head Island Outdoor Vibe
Lindsey Harrell

About Lindsey Harrell

Although you wouldn’t know by the lack of a southern accent, Lindsey Harrell was born right here in the beautiful Lowcountry. After spending most of her childhood in the suburbs of DC, Lindsey returned to Island life after graduating from The College of William & Mary. Since receiving her degree in Business Marketing she has spent time in the local advertising industry and now serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, the Island’s second largest outdoor event. In her spare time, Lindsey and her husband, Wade, a Physical Therapy student at the Medical University of South Carolina, look for as many adventures as possible whether it be zip lining on their honeymoon in Costa Rica amongst the monkeys and toucans, a day at the beach with their two dogs, Winston and Charlie, or spending an afternoon horseback riding right here in their back yard.

Celebrate independence with an island-wide bang

Hilton Head Island has no shortage of 4th celebrations

For an island that only stretches a mere 12 miles, Hilton Head Island is not lacking in magnificent spots to celebrate our country’s independence.  As an island, it comes with the territory – Hilton Head offers a number of waterfront locations great for viewing the centerpiece for any 4th of July celebration – fireworks.

Our first-ever dockside celebration at Hudsons

Growing up just outside of DC, I have to say, I got a little spoiled.  Annually we would trek into the nation’s capitol sporting our red, white and blue to park ourselves somewhere on the Mall to gaze up at one of the finest displays of fireworks this girl had ever seen.  But, the Lowcountry puts it to the test, offering a smattering of firework displays suitable for any major city.

My cousin enjoys the 4th of July feast

Celebrating now, yearly, on Hilton Head Island, I mark the occasion with my family and friends at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks.  From this Skull Creek venue, you can ooh and aah at the twinkling lights in the sky while dining on the freshest seafood brought into those very same docks earlier that day.  Now, with this newer tradition, nothing says independence to me more than the combination of peel ‘n eat shrimp, a cold beer and family and friends on a warm summer night on the water.

The fireworks at Skull Creek, which start at 9:30 pm, can also be viewed from two other delicious waterfront restaurants – Skull Creek Boathouse and the Chart House.  In addition to the varying menus, all three restaurants offer live entertainment starting at 6 pm.

If you’re staying mid-Island, you might want to consider viewing a separate fireworks display from Shelter Cove Harbour.  These guys have it down, practicing all summer long with their weekly fireworks showcase every Tuesday night during HarbourFest.  And if you’re on the south end, we have you covered.  At the base of Hilton Head Island above the iconic red and white lighthouse, Harbour Town offers its annual 4th of July celebration.

You cannot miss when you celebrate the 4th on Hilton Head Island!  For more information on all fireworks displays, click here.

Art with a View

With an array of over 150 artists, you won’t be able to get away empty handed!

As Memorial Day approaches and we prepare to honor our country’s soldiers past and present, what plans are you making? Time at the beach? Family Cookouts? No desk duty on Monday? All of the above sound good here, but I definitely will be making a trip over to Shelter Cove Harbour for one of my favorite, newer Memorial Day weekend traditions.

The Hilton Head Island Art Festival celebrates its 5th birthday this year during the holiday weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26.  With an array of over 150 of America’s finest artists, you can find everything from paintings to sculpture to hand-blown glass.

My favorite purchase from a past event – a simple, yet funky necklace that dresses up even your basic t-shirt.

As you weave in and out the white canopied tents strewn alongside the Harbour, don’t miss some of my favorites including stunning wildlife photography, funky one-of-a-kind jewelry and some of the artists who infuse their work with a sense of humor.  And if the Festival vendors don’t do enough damage to your wallet, you won’t want to miss the selection of retail shops in the Harbour.

And, they couldn’t have picked a better location.  The harbour-side venue offers beautiful views with a marina that makes me feel as if I’ve escaped to the south of France.  My European fantasy is continued at Bistro 17 where I often enjoy an afternoon glass of wine outside while my boys (dogs that is), Winston & Charlie, dine on their ‘Puppy Menu’.

A serene, water-side location is the perfect venue to honor soldiers past and present.

And, to top it off on this particular weekend, it’s a great location to pay tribute to what Memorial Day is all about.  Before you head out, make a visit to the Veterans Memorial at Shelter Cove Community Park to pay tribute to the veterans of American military service.

A few important notes for the Hilton Head Island Art Festival:

  • The event is open to the public on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 10am to 5pm each day.
  • Admission and parking is FREE.
  • The navigational address for your GPS is:
    1 Harbourside Lane
    Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
  • In addition to Bistro 17, there are several delicious restaurants marina-side for you to enjoy including:
    Ela’s Blu Water Grille
    Frosty’s Italian Ices and More
    Little Venice Restaurant & Lounge
    Parrot Cove Grill & Bar
    San Miguel’s Mexican Cafe
    Scott’s Fish Market

For more information on this year’s Art Festival, click here.

For more information on Shelter Cove Harbour, the Art Festival host, click here.

How To Catch A Shrimp (and a selection of other seafood)

In all my time on Hilton Head Island, I have never once thrown a cast net.  Surprising, isn’t it?  Maybe not so much to my instructor once he saw my first throw, if you can call it that.  I believe he called it a taco, sadly for me, because it resembled the shape of the Mexican food as opposed to a net that would bring in a selection of the sea’s delights.  Much like I felt about golf the first time I tried it, I definitely underestimated the skill and quickly found that it is harder than it looks.  However, Scott, our instructor, insured me that he has not yet had someone who didn’t get it by the end of the class.  And I was determined not to be his first!

Scott shows us how to use our teeth!

First, Scott Moody, the Coastal Discovery Museum’s resident expert angler, outlined the basics – how to prep the net, how to hold the net (and, yes, it does involve your teeth) and how to throw and release the net.

From there, we were sent out to give it a crack.  As I stepped off to give it a try, I was relying on Scott’s instructions as opposed to beginners luck.

I repeated the steps over and over in my head with each attempt:

Step 1: Connect the net’s line to your non-dominant wrist (I preferred to use my dominant hand – my right – for the throwing portion)

Step 2: Loop the excess rope  in your non-dominant hand

Step 3: Grab the yoke in your non-dominant hand

Step 4: Grab half way down on the net between the yoke and the weights at the bottom with your dominant hand

Step 5: Fold the top half of the net into your non-dominant hand

Step 6: Place the bottom of the net in your teeth (yes, you heard that correctly)

Step 7: With your dominant hand, grab the bottom of the net about an arm’s length from where you have it placed in your teeth.  Make sure that when you grab the net, it opens out in front of you versus having the opening facing your body

Step 8: Wind up

Step 9: Using your whole body, similar to how you would throw a Frisbee, throw the net, letting go of everything except what’s connected to your wrist (you don’t want to lose your net for good).

Step 10: Pull in your prize(s)

By gosh! I think I got it!

After about 7 or 8 tries, I finally got one that looked good.  I would not go down in Scott’s record book as the worst student ever!!!  Everyone from my class succeeded in improving their throwing technique.  Now, it’s up to all of us to continue to work towards perfection.

But, before I left, I was able to get some good insider tips from Scott to share with you:

Start small
It’s easier to learn with a smaller net.  Ideally, look for a net that is about the same height as you.

It’s all about technique
The technique is the same no matter what size net you’re using.

Buttons are bad
Do not wear a shirt with buttons – your net could easily get caught on them.  And, from my experience, I would remove anything, such as jewelry, that could get caught and take away from your throw.

Be aware of your surroundings
Be careful not to throw over rocks or oyster shells to help keep your net intact

Good catch
Looking for a good spot on the Island to practice your cast net throwing?  Check out Pinckney Island’s public boat ramp across US 278 at Last End Point or by the folly at Burke’s Beach.  After you’ve parked at Burke’s Beach and walked down the pathway to the beach, turn right and you’ll run right into the folly.

The one-hour class is $10 per person and is only offered for a limited time (through May).  For more information, click here or to make your reservation, call (843) 689-6767 (extension 223).

SHOP LOCAL

Farmers Market Bluffton offers new meaning to that slogan

My salute to my Farmers Market favorite!

It’s safe to say that I am a “good eater”.  I love food, which makes anything that even vaguely resembles a farmers market a place I want to be.  Whether it’s at home or while we’re out exploring new places on vacation, my husband and I always seem to track down the local farmers markets.  And in all honesty, our own Bluffton offers one of the best I’ve come to discover.

I would say it’s not your average farmers market.  It, much like the town that hosts it, is a state of mind and offers its own, unique personality to what most expect to find at your typical market.

Here are a few things that you might not know about Farmers Market Bluffton

It’s not just about what comes from the ground

Delicious! You can smell the pasta while hearing all of the amazing varieties available.

It’s amazing the vast variety of provisions you can find squeezed onto Calhoun Street, the heart of historic Bluffton, every Thursday from 2pm to 7pm.  There’s everything from fresh pasta that includes up to 15 varieties of some of the most delectable ravioli including Truffle Lobster, Pear & Gorgonzola and Asparagus & Mascarpone to  scrumptious homemade cookies to local honey (one of my favorites that has even been said to be a homeopathic remedy for allergies).  There’s pasture-raised, natural, dry-aged beef such as filet mignon, rib eyes, roasts and MiBek Farms very own signature Bluffton Blade premium steak that is “worth dying for”, free-range eggs, nuts, and Chinese dumplings (yes, you heard that right).  You could eat for weeks and not repeat the same meal twice.

For a complete list of Farmers Market Bluffton vendors, click here.

It’s not just about shopping
At Farmers Market Bluffton, you can actually learn a thing or two.  Offering the Chef in the Market program featuring local Chef demos (this week’s is with Chef Matt from Old Town Dispensary and The Sage Room), the Le Creuset Chef’s Tent teaching market-goers how to prepare dishes using market fresh ingredients (every Thursday at 4pm) and the Little Growers Program (every 3rd Thursday of the month) for the younger shoppers, there’s something to learn for everyone at the market.

It goes way beyond the food
Every Thursday, Calhoun Street fills with the sounds of live, local music while you shop and enjoy the fresh food prepared on-site.  And, while at the market, you can spend some time with the on-site Master Gardener for gardening tips, best planting practices, soil corrections and much, much more!  The program is brought to us from the Clemson Cooperative Extension.

And, while in Old Town Bluffton, don’t miss the amazing boutiques, galleries and other stops along Bluffton’s beautiful Calhoun Street.

Help do good
You can spend the day shopping and feel good about it.  Farmers Market Bluffton partners with several local area non-profits offering space for these organizations to promote their “do-goodin’”.  From sports programs to health organizations to pet adoptions, there are several organizations present with information, volunteer sign ups and much more.  Who knows?!?  You may even leave with a new four-legged member of your family!

Don’t miss checking out the website before you go
The Farmers Market Bluffton website has lots of great resources, including information on the current week’s market.  Make sure to check it out before your visit.  But, my favorite part of the website that is a definite not to miss – the From Farm to Table section where you will find (and can share) recipes that work with current harvest dates.  There is not one recipe on there I wouldn’t recommend!

And They’re Off

Marsh Tackys return home on Daufuskie Island

You’ll feel the ground shake beneath your feet as the races are run on the beaches of Daufuskie Island

The setting – an isolated beach, a light breeze in the air, a pack of runners with their bare feet running through the tide, sand splashing up on their competitors following closely behind.  Are you starting to hear the theme song to Chariots of Fire?  I am too.  But I’m not talking about the iconic movie that shares the same name of that memorable song.

It’s the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association’s annual beach race.  The Marsh Tacky, a rare breed of small horse well adapted for use in the lowland swamps of its native South Carolina, will return home on April 27th.   The fifth annual race, scheduled for the first time on Daufuskie Island, will reunite these near extinct horses with their native island (many of the breed’s foundation genetics come from Daufuskie).

Horses will inundate Daufuskie, an eight square mile sea island situated between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, that Saturday to compete in three classes – mares, geldings and stallions.  Organizers are anticipating up to 20 of these rare horses coming from throughout the southeast region for the inaugural event to be run on Daufuskie.

Important facts for spectators:

  • Stop by the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn to visit Comet, one of the two Marsh Tackys that call Honey Horn home

    Date: Saturday, April 27th, 2013

  • Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Location: Beach and grounds surrounding the Beach Club at Melrose on the Beach
  • Tickets: There is no admission fee for the races.  However, transportation tickets (unless coordinated otherwise) can be purchased through Calibogue Cruises.
  • Not to miss: In addition to the races themselves, after parties will be hosted at both Freeport Marina (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and the Beach Club at Melrose on the Beach (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) with live music, food and beverage

Want an up close look at a Marsh Tacky before race day? Visit our resident Marsh Tackys, Comet (17 years old) and Tadpole (2½ years old), at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.

Cars on the Move

Hilton Head Island’s premiere fall event revs up at a new location

The new face of the Motoring Festival on Hilton Head Island – the beautiful Port Royal Golf Club

Hot off the presses, the 12th annual Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance is in high gear planning its 2013 event at a new venue.  The 2013 show will be hosted at the acclaimed Port Royal Golf Club, ranked one of the “Top 75 U.S. Golf Resorts” by Golf Digest Magazine, on November 2 & 3.

The cars, albeit, jaw-dropingly stunning, also offer a unique history lesson.  The Motoring Festival has showcased the first automobile ever produced – Karl Benz’s, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach’s conversion of a carriage with a petrol engine in 1886, it’s honored the first-ever mass produced vehicle – the Ford Model T which brought car travel to the masses and has demonstrated how people traveled the American roadways with the Life on the Road exhibit of vintage campers and RVs at the 2009 Festival.

Porsche will serve as the Honored Marque at the 2013 Festival

And what better place to showcase these automotive historical artifacts than in one of the most historically significant locations Hilton Head Island has to offer – Port Royal Plantation?!?

Housing the sites of both Fort Walker and Fort Sherman, Hilton Head Island, and more specifically, Port Royal Plantation played a major role in the Civil War serving as a base of operations for the Union blockade of the Southern ports including Savannah and Charleston.

Fort Walker, built as a Confederate fort, protected the 2-mile wide entrance to Port Royal Sound.  And, on November 7, 1861 (almost 152 years to the date before the 2013 Motoring Festival), in the Battle of Port Royal, the fort fell to the largest fleet ever assembled in North America with over 12,000 Union troops.  The fort was renamed by the Union in honor of the then Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles.  And, shortly after the fall of Fort Walker, the Union built Fort Sherman.

Tours of the Forts of Port Royal are available exclusively through the Coastal Discovery Museum.

Planning for the 2013 Motoring Festival is heavily underway.  For updates, visit the official website or the Festival’s facebook page.  Or, to sign up for email updates, click here.

Shuckin’ the Day Away

Grab your oyster knife, tie a napkin around your neck and get ready to dig in.  The Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration is about to introduce you to one of my all-time favorite meals.

 

Get ready to DIG IN!

Lowcountry Boil, aka Beaufort Boil, aka Frogmore Stew, aka Tidewater Boil, is a delicious combination of fresh Lowcountry water shrimp, sweet yellow corn, savory sausage, red potatoes, all seasoned with the essential ingredient…Old Bay.  YUM!  And, to top it all off, you can gulp down some of the South’s most succulent steamed oysters as the selection pours onto the shuckin’ tables.

Lowcountry Boil is a staple here on Hilton Head Island.  My mom makes it regularly for our whole family.  It’s not a Boil if there aren’t loads of people around the table enjoying it together.  And, we have the Gullah to thank for not only the recipe but for the tradition of enjoying the meal together as a large group.

DELICIOUS

The origins of the Lowcountry Boil go farther back to the cuisine of the Gullah people of the Sea Islands along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. Africans in the slave trade often brought with them not only cooking influences from their homeland, but Spanish and French cooking traditions as well. Meals for large gatherings of people would have to be made as quickly as possible with readily-available foods. The Boil was a quick and easy way to prepare all the foods at once.

The Oyster Roast/Lowcountry Boil serves as the closing ceremony for the month-long Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration on Saturday, March 2.  For four whole hours you will have free reign on all of the Lowcountry Boil and oysters you can get down your gullet.

Event Details:

  • When: March 2, 2013, 12pm to 4pm
  • Where: waterside Shelter Cove Park
  • Tickets: $17 for all you can eat Boil or Oysters OR $25 for all you can eat BOTH

For complete details on this year’s Gullah Celebration, click here or call the Gullah Celebration Hotline (843-255-7304).

Take That Thirty-One

Getting Down and Dirty on my Birthday

Like gettin’ dirty? No? Then this probably isn’t the race for you!  Photography by Anne

My first year of being 30+ is quickly approaching.  Most would probably treat themselves to a spa day, a decadent meal or a weekend getaway.  And not going to lie to you, that would typically be my approach, too.  But, when I saw that the first-ever Face Your Fears race was coming to Bluffton on my actual 31st birthday – February 23 – those plans quickly changed.  I will be celebrating in the mud, getting, literally, down and dirty.

I have some experience with running, but to be fair, I am not by any standards an elite runner.  I don’t have a room full of medals and trophies, I’m not sponsored by Nike or Under Armor, and I don’t compete to cross the finish line first.  But while I’ve run my fair share of races and distances, that doesn’t mean I’m not totally intimidated by the upcoming extreme endurance mud run challenge.

The course will feature a number of obstacles along the way including mystery challenges-Photography by Anne

Running…I can handle that part.  It’s the obstacles that leave me shakin’ in my sneaks.  What hurdles will I encounter?  What barriers will I have to cross?  Seeing as the organizers say that the element of surprise is the most important differentiator between the Face Your Fears run and other mud runs held throughout the country, I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer that question until the gun goes off and I’m on the course.  However, I do know that entrants will be running through creeks, pluff mud and sand and will be greeted along the way by ice, nets, wire, tires, water and, yes, even fire.  And, to top it all off, participants will face the event’s signature – mystery obstacles.  I’m starting to think I’m signed up for something closely resembling The Hunger Games.

Needless to say, your body will be put to the test the morning of February 23.  Endurance, upper and lower body strength and core work are all in the mix.  This race is physical and mental, hence why I’ve chosen to use the “it’s my birthday” tactic to convince my loved ones to sign up with me and risk forever ruining their running attire.

While my team will be opting for the lesser of the two courses (the Courage Course) that spans 3 miles and includes 16 obstacles (I mean, it is my birthday…don’t I deserve a break?!?), there is the more extreme Valor Course – a 10 mile run with 25 obstacles.  And, if you’re looking for fun for the whole family, register for the Seal Pups Course – a ¼ mile course especially for kids and families.

So, whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary or, simply, just life you’re looking to celebrate, join me on February 23 to Face Your Fears.

For full details and to register online, go to faceyourfearsbluffton.com.

NOT Wishing for a White Christmas

Beautiful holiday weather lends itself to time outside with your family

I want to pass on one of my favorite family holiday traditions, albeit, it’s a rather new tradition.  A few years back, my family decided we needed to reinvent our holidays.  Christmas had become a little stale – - opening presents you had picked out for yourself just wasn’t cutting it anymore.  We decided to bring the attention back around to the family.

My first-ever catch was a little scary

To do that, we decided to forego presents altogether (although that is not a requirement).  And, in lieu of picking out gifts, we would each be responsible for selecting an activity that we could all do together during the holidays.  On Christmas morning, instead of coming downstairs to the gifts that Santa had left late the night before, we began to reveal clues to each other of the activities we had planned.  Whether your clue consisted of a cowboy hat, fishing lures or a wooden spoon, excitement had returned to our Christmas mornings.

And, with temperatures on Hilton Head Island averaging in the 60’s (and record highs in the 80’s), it’s a great opportunity to get outside with your family to celebrate the holidays!

A few recommendations from my family to yours this holiday season:

Saddle Up
Trust me, you do not need to be an experienced rider to enjoy the trail rides in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.  The hour-long ride will take you through the 605 acres of this untouched, pristine Lowcountry landscape while your trail guide gives you a taste of Hilton Head Island history. And younger members can take part with pony rides and Lawton Stables’ Animal Farm.

Put the pedal to the metal
Ok, not really.  But, you can enjoy the fresh air and beauty of the Island by way of bicycle.  With 80 miles of pathways, you can bike on and on without any repeat rides.
Don’t have a bike?  Click here for a list of bicycle rental companies.

Bundled up for a holiday sail

Set Sail
Again, no experience required.  Charter a private boat or jump on a group tour and take in the Island views from the Lowcountry waterways.  And before you board, check the policies of your tour provider.  Many will allow you to bring on food and drink – - it’s a unique way to do happy hour!
For a list of available boating companies, click here.

Go Fish
Throw in a line and see what you can catch – - you might land something perfect for your holiday dinner!  For available fishing charters and tours, click here.

My dogs always love a cool day on the beach – no crowds

Picnic on the beach
Grab your blanket, pack your bocce ball and load up your basket for an afternoon on our white sand beaches.  Want a pre-packed picnic lunch?  Signe’s Heaven Bound Bakery & Café is a not to miss!  For a list of Hilton Head Island’s public beaches, click here.

On the Pontoon
Load up the whole family on a private pontoon boat rental from Outside Hilton Head.  The 20-foot boats can hold up to 12 passengers and are available out of Shelter Cove Marina.  It makes for a relaxing day on the water.  Afterwards, grab a glass of wine at Bistro 17…you’ll feel as though you’re sitting alongside the French Riviera.

Zip through the Trees
For those adrenaline junkies, you should check out Hilton Head Island’s latest attraction.  ZipLine Hilton Head offers 8 lines and reaches heights of up to 75 feet above the ground.  It’s an experience you won’t forget and fun for the whole family (or at least those that are between 80 and 250 lbs).

And, not everything has to be outside.  Here are a few tried and true suggestions that keep you out of the elements:
Cooking Classes
Dance Lessons
Spa Treatments

Whatever you choose to do this winter, I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!  Enjoy!

Harbour Town Lights

An Island Aglow with the Light of the Holidays

As that big, jolly guy with rosy red cheeks and a plush red suit prepares to descend on our homes for the upcoming holiday, one of the major debates of all time continues on – - white or colored lights.

Growing up in Virginia, the sight of the first house with Christmas lights always seemed to signal the beginning of the holiday season.  And, just before the big day arrived, one of my favorite holiday traditions was piling into the car, squished in with my parents, sister, aunt and uncle, 3 cousins and grandparents (thank goodness for my aunt’s large conversion van), hot chocolate in hand, music blaring (our choice was, and embarrassingly still is, a Cabbage Patch Christmas) as we toured the neighboring communities filled with twinkling lights.  While each house was applauded for its creativity and effort, I think all of us anxiously hoped that we would stumble on one that would have made Clark Griswold proud.  Unfortunately, Alexandria never accomplished that Hollywood-inspired feat.

A Winter Wonderland in the heart of Sea Pines (Photo provided by The Sea Pines Resort)

But, now, I can finally say that I’ve found my Griswold-worthy display right here in the heart of Hilton Head Island.  The yacht basin in Sea Pines, famously known for its red & white striped lighthouse and the Liberty Oak, glows brightly during Harbour Town Lights.  With a smattering of illuminated holiday figures and array of twinkling lights, the holidays come to life in the harbor.  The display kicks off on November 23 with the lighting of the centerpiece, a beautiful 30 foot tall tree, and a concert with Gregg Russell (at 7:30pm) and runs through the New Year.

Harbour Town Lights benefits Deep Well.  While there is no charge to view the display, help those that are less fortunate this holiday season and bring a canned good or a new, unwrapped toy to drop in the “well” on the stage at the Liberty Oak. And, don’t forget, if you are not staying in Sea Pines, you will need $5 at the welcome gate to access Harbour Town.

And, if that’s not enough to get you in the holiday spirit, check out some of these other island happenings:

 

Let there be light – the tree at The Arts Center comes to life

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (November 24)
The Town’s official tree comes to life in a ceremony complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas carols, holiday crafts, yummy treats and a musical performance from the cast of Anything Goes.

South Beach Christmas Village (December 1 – 31)
Enjoy more island  lights, falling snow and free Santa visits and photos.

Winter Wonderland Festival (December 14 & 15)
Join in all of the fun including a Golden Candy Cane Hunt, Local Holiday Entertainment, Marshmallow Roasting, Blowup Rides, Holiday Crafts and Much More!

21st Annual Jingle Jingle 5K Run and Health Walk (December 22)
For the athlete in all of us, enjoy getting healthy at the holidays.  Presented by Hilton Head Regional Medical Center, the top 3 finishers (male and female) will receive holiday prizes.  Benefiting CODA, participants are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys, gift cards, or phone cards.

Ice Skating in Harbour Town (December 22 – 31)
Move over Rockefeller Center!  Skaters can take to the synthetic rink placed next to the Liberty Oak in Sea Pines’ Harbour Town.