Fabulous Fourth

Everyone knows that 4th of July celebrations aren’t just on Independence Day in the Golden Isles. There will be fun activities starting Sunday, July 1 and continuing through the week, so keep this guide handy if you’re looking for patriotic parades and festive fireworks.

SUNDAY, JULY 1

On St. Simons Island, experienced party and show band Still Cruzin’ will be rocking the gazebo with Motown and R&B hits on the lighthouse lawn when they return for July’s Little Light Music concert. Pack a picnic dinner and favorite cold beverages, grab your lawn chairs, and come dancing under the stars with your family, friends, and neighbors during one of the island’s most beloved summer traditions. It’s a perfect way to spend a warm Sunday evening. Tickets are $12 for adults, and children under 12 are admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Store or at the gate on the evening of the concert.

If you’d rather stay cool in the pool, head over to Summer Waves Water Park on Jekyll Island with the family to enjoy a Swim-In Movie. The Little Mermaid will be shown at 8:30 p.m. at the wave pool, so choose and inner tube and while Ariel and her friends sing about what fun they have Under the Sea. Movie is free with the purchase of a $15 (plus tax) Night Splash ticket.

MONDAY, JULY 2

For Sea Island members and resort guests, Monday, July 2 kicks off a week of holiday events celebrating Independence Day at the resort. The annual 50-foot Banana Split on the Beach Club Lawn is a highlight of the week and you’ll want to be there with spoons at 3:30 p.m. A BBQ at Rainbow Island with live music and family fun and Bingo at The Cloister close out the day. Reservations and Beach Club access required for some activities, please see Sea Island’s website for details.

TUESDAY, JULY 3

Sea Island members and resort guests have a fun-filled day that begins with the Firecracker 5K, includes Family Olympics at the Beach Club, parties for young princesses and pirates, and an Oceanside Independence Celebration featuring Yacht Rock at the Beach Club. Reservations and Beach Club access required for some activities, please see Sea Island’s website for details.

This year, Jekyll Island breaks from past tradition and holds its fireworks on Independence Day Eve! Planned to begin after sunset, around 9:00 p.m., fireworks are best viewed from the beach between the Holiday Inn Resort and south to the Days Inn on the oceanfront side of the island. Plan to arrive early to get your spot to witness one of the most spectacular displays of fireworks in the Golden Isles.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

Independence Day begins early on St. Simons Island with the Sunshine Festival 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run presented by the Golden Isles Track Club. The start time for the 5K is 7:00 a.m. and the Fun Run takes place at 8:00 a.m. The site for the race and award ceremony is Mallery Park. More information about the race, volunteer opportunities, and registration can be found at goldenislestrackclub.com. The Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show at Postell Park opens at 10:00 a.m. on the 4th and vendors will be offering art and fine crafts in a variety of mediums; show will close for the day at 5:00 p.m. There is also an annual 4th of July golf cart parade in the Village. Fireworks will be held at the Pier just after sundown on Wednesday, the 4th, at approximately 9:00 p.m. There will be live music by Traveling Riverside Band at the St. Simons Casino bandstand both before and after the fireworks.

Sea Island members and resort guests are invited to a flag raising ceremony on the Beach Club Lawn featuring patriotic music with Rich Wagner followed by the one-mile Independence Day Fun Run (or walk/stroll) on the beach. The annual 4th of July Parade takes place at 10:00 a.m. with walkers, cyclists, golf carts, vintage cars and floats. The day continues with fun and games at the

Beach Club and on the lawn at The Lodge with fireworks taking place at 9:00 p.m. at both locations. Reservations and Beach Club access required for some activities, please see Sea Island’s website for details.

Begin the day on Jekyll Island with an oldfashioned 4th of July parade through the National Historic Landmark District. All are welcome to participate in this free event hosted by the Jekyll Island Museum by decorating your bikes, golf carts, strollers and wagons and donning patriotic attire. Pets are invited to participate too, but they must be leashed. The procession will line up at 9:00 a.m. and parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Participation is free and prizes will be awarded following the parade. Spectators are encouraged to line the parade route to cheer and wave or to join festivities taking place at the Skeet House and Sans Souci lawn while awaiting the procession. For more information, call the Jekyll Island Museum at 912.635.4036. Later, head over to Beach Village for “Red, White & Bounce,” a fun-filled afternoon of water slides, bounce houses, sidewalk sales by the merchants, and live music on the Village Green.

In Historic Downtown Brunswick, it’s an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Mary Ross Waterfront Park. Kids of all ages are invited to play classic games like sack races, horseshoes, hula hoop contests and ball games, and to enjoy free watermelon. Festivities at the park begin at 7:00 p.m. Fireworks will take place over the river at approximately 9:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 5

The Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show continues in Postell Park on St. Simons Island from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Sea Island’s Beach Club hosts a luau featuring authentic tropical music, dancers, and a traditional Hawaiian-style buffet complete with a whole roasted pig. Sea Island members and resort guests are invited to don their Hawaiian shirts and shake out their grass skirts to come out and join the party. Reservations and Beach Club access required.

FRIDAY, JULY 6

The Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show continues in Postell Park on St. Simons Island from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

A Rainbow Island Low Country Boil with live music and family fun is open to Sea Island members and resort guests by reservation.

SATURDAY, JULY 7

The Southern Grown Independence Celebration Farmers Market takes place at The Market at Sea Island from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Open to the public, this holiday market will feature Sea Island’s baked goods and other gourmet fare, handmade goods by artisan vendors, including jewelry and textiles. Fresh lemonade and live entertainment will help you beat the heat.

The Sunshine Festival Arts & Crafts Show continues in Postell Park on St. Simons Island from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

The Jacksonville Jaguars D-Line will perform in a special patriotic version of Jekyll Island’s Beach Village Music Series. Bring a beach blanket or lawn chair to set up on the Village Green to enjoy the sounds of summer at these free community concerts. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. Sea Island members and resort guests are invited to enjoy a Southern-style Supper on Rainbow Island with live music by Marshgrass and family activities. Reservations required.

We hope that no matter what you do, you enjoy a safe and happy holiday. For updated event information and information about live music happening each week, make sure you’re signed up for our weekly EIL Insider emails, check our website calendar and I’m With the Band blog, and follow Elegant Island Living on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We’ll keep you in the know all summer long.