SUMMER FUN

BY ALLYSON JONES

From fireworks displays, family entertainment and history tours to Happy Hour cruises, world-class performances and summer camps, it’s a season of celebration on Hilton Head! Here is just a taste of what is taking place across the Island this summer – be sure to call ahead or check out the social media pages of the locations listed to confirm dates and times of special events and happenings.

Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

Now in its 34th year, HarbourFest remains Hilton Head Island’s largest multi-week summertime event.

Entertainer Shannon Tanner is back at The Pavilion stage starting Memorial Day weekend with his family-friendly, interactive shows, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 and 8 p.m. On Thursday evenings, June 15 through August 24, the Parrot Palooza Sunset Celebration showcases Shannon Tanner & The Oyster Reefers performing a Caribbean-style tribute to Jimmy Buffett at 7 p.m.

Cappy the Clown can be found nearby from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend as she delights generations of families with face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, sand art and her silly sense of humor, Monday through Friday nights from 6-9 p.m.

The highlight of HarbourFest is the Tuesday night fireworks shows which light up the night sky beginning June 6. Arrive early to spend some time on the water, relax over a delicious meal at various waterfront restaurants, shop the specialty boutiques and vendors set up for the occasion, enjoy arts and crafts or let the kids take a train ride along the Promenade before claiming your spot near the water for the after-sunset show. Fireworks are scheduled every Tuesday night from June 6 through August 22, including a special Fourth of July celebration. Parking and admission are free at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Outdoor activities and entertainment are weather dependent. For the full schedule of HarbourFest fireworks shows and entertainment, visit sheltercoveharbourfest.com or the Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina Facebook page.

Island Rec. Center

A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of all ages, the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association produces, provides and coordinates public recreation programs, “wellness” activities and community events. From open gyms and the Island’s only public lap/training pool on Wilborn Road to summer camps, clinics, classes and special events for all ages held across Hilton Head, there are countless ways to stay active this summer.

Sign the kids up for Surf Camp, All Sports Camp, Cheer Camp, Basketball Camp, Karate or Fencing classes and swim lessons while adults learn the art of Ballroom Dancing, practice yoga, swim laps or play pickleball.

Special events hosted by the Island Rec. Center this season include Summer Jams at Shelter Cove Community Park and Party in the Park + Maker’s Fair in Lowcountry Celebration Park. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to Shelter Cove Community Park on Tuesday nights, June 13 through August 8 – including Tuesday, July 4th – for the annual Summer Jams. Starting at 5:30 p.m., there’s plenty of festive family fun for all ages with bounce houses, face painting and more capped off with a fireworks display after dusk. Admission is free; there is a minimal charge for some activities.

Thursday nights beginning June 22 through July 27, join the Island Rec. Center at Lowcountry Celebration Park off Pope Avenue for the weekly Party in the Park + Maker’s Fair. This family Happy Hour features live music, bounce houses, beverages and an arts and crafts market featuring local artists. Admission is free; activities and concessions are an additional fee.

For event details and camp or class registration, visit islandreccenter.org or call (843) 681-7273.

The Salty Dog

The Legend of the Salty Dog lives on in South Beach Marina Village.

Home of Jake the Salty Dog, as well as the iconic Salty Dog Cafe and numerous other waterfront restaurants, specialty shops and watersports, this landmark location also serves up a selection of family-friendly fun throughout the summer. Relax with your favorite frozen cocktail, ice-cold beverage, pizza or ice cream cone on the deck overlooking Braddock’s Cove while listening to the sounds of longtime local favorites like Dave Kemmerly, Trevor Harden and Dallas Reese nightly or savor seafood specialties, pasta, burgers, steaks and sandwiches at the Salty Dog Café or Land’s End Tavern.

Before or after dinner, there’s also plenty of family fun to be found in the South Beach Courtyard.

Catch Ben the Juggler on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday evenings from 6-8 p.m. to watch him defy gravity and maybe learn a new trick or two yourself; party to the sounds of the DJ Crush Dance Party on Wednesday and Friday nights; enjoy a colorful evening of airbrush tattoos and more during the Thursday night Colorpalooza; or join the Turtle Trackers on Sunday and Monday from 5-7 p.m. near the Salty Dog Ice Cream Shop to learn all about the Lowcountry’s favorite summer visitors, Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Find the complete entertainment schedule, restaurant menus and much more online at saltydog.com.

Prefer to spend your time offshore?

Book The Salty Dog 36’ Picnic Boat for a private, customized nature, sightseeing or sunset cruise or plan a day trip to Savannah, Beaufort or Daufuskie for up to six passengers. For adults only, the Salty Dog Happy Hour Music Cruise sets sail daily from South Beach Marina. Relax on either deck of this 63’ foot powered catamaran with Island-inspired food and drinks accompanied by tropical tunes on a 90-minute cruise around the Calibogue Sound. Call or text the cruise hotline at (843) 6836462 with questions or book online at cruise.saltydog.com.

Coastal Discovery Museum

Located on the historic 68-acre Honey Horn property, the Coastal Discovery Museum fulfills its mission of “inspiring people to care for the Lowcountry” through permanent and temporary exhibitions, nature and history tours, hands-on workshops, a weekly Farmers Market, special events and programs for all ages and interests.

Hit the trail for a self-guided tour under massive Live Oaks draped with Spanish Moss to explore the Museum’s marsh front boardwalks, Butterfly Habitat and Insect House, the Carnivorous Plant Bog Garden, Heritage Garden or Camellia Garden and

ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI: $32.95

ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI AND SASHIMI: $42.95

Appetizers • Dine-in Sushi/Sashimi Bar

Fully Stocked Bar, Sake/Liquor/Beer/Wine/Specialty Cocktails

Hibachi • Chef’s Special Fried Rice and Lo Mein Soups and Salads • Specialty Burgers and Sandwiches

Boba (Bubble) Tea and Ice Cream

Dine-in, Pickup, or Delivery (Through DoorDash via our website)

Indoor/Outdoor Seating • Kids Menu • Lunch Specials 11-3pm then stop by the stables and adjacent pasture to see Comet the Marsh Tacky.

Head inside the Discovery House to cool off and check out the permanent history exhibits, play in the Kids Zone, view the “Binya: Faces ob de Gullah Geechee” on display in the Main Gallery through July 9th, pick up a souvenir in the Museum Gift Shop, Adopt A Sea Turtle or Dolphin and sign up for a nature or history tour at the Front Desk.

Special summer programs include the popular Critter Meet & Greet with the chance to learn about and hold live alligators, snakes and other interesting Lowcountry animals; Indigo Tie Dye workshops and Creature Crafts; an Exploratory Laboratory in the Discovery Lab and assorted butterfly programs such as Bugs and Blooms and Wonderful Wings.

Open daily, the Coastal Discovery Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive. Museum admission is free; programs, classes and tours are an additional fee. View and book online at coastaldiscovery.org or call (843) 689-6767 for details and reservations.

Harbour Town

Gregg Russell, Hilton Head Island’s very own Pied Piper, has returned for his 46th season performing under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town.

Entertaining generations of Island visitors with his silly songs and sing-a-longs, games and interviews, Russell’s summertime shows bring families together to create vacation memories night after night, year after year.

“Repeat after me: I promise to do my best to drive my parents crazy, every day for the rest of my life for as long as I live or until my Dad’s hair falls out…”

Take the Bubblegum Pledge and join in the fun beginning Memorial Day Weekend and then every Monday through Friday night at 8 p.m., June 2 through August 11. The show continues on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, August 14 through 25, then wraps up the season over Labor Day Weekend.

While in Harbour Town, “climb through time” to the top of the iconic, candy-striped Lighthouse and Museum for a birds-eye view of the Yacht Basin and beyond, dine and shop at unique restaurants and retailers or let the little ones burn off some energy at the Gregg Russell Playground. A top destination for family fun, Harbour Town also hosts an annual, all-day Fourth of July festival with a fireworks finale.

For details on upcoming events and activities in The Sea Pines Resort, call (843) 842-1979 or visit seapines.com. Please note, outside visitors must pay $9 cash at the guard gate for entrance into the resort. Admission into the Harbour Town Lighthouse is $5.75 per person, free for children five and under.

Coligny Plaza

Serving as Hilton Head’s “Downtown” since 1955, Coligny Plaza features more than 60 specialty shops, delicious restaurants serving up specialty dishes often accompanied by live music, an art house movie theatre and Piggly Wiggly grocery store just steps from the beach.

Seven nights a week during the summer months, the shopping center also showcases a variety of local talent Center Stage from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join Jevon Daly on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday nights for his popular kid-centric storytelling adventure; stop by on Monday to hear John Cranford and Friends perform Lowcountry originals; chill out with the solo acoustic stylings of Kyle Wareham on Tuesday or with his Pretty Darn bandmate Nick Poulin on Thursday; and check out longtime local favorite Mike Kavanaugh on Saturday. All Center Stage shows are free and open to the public. For Coligny Plaza’s complete entertainment schedule, as well as shopping and dining information, visit colignyplaza.com or call (843) 842-6050.

Honor our military heroes this Fourth of July during the annual Salute From Shore. Beachgoers are encouraged to organize patriotic displays both large and small along the beach and share their tributes online for our armed forces during this flyover. Starting at approximately 1 p.m., two F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base and a C-17 from Charleston Air Force Base will take to the skies near Myrtle Beach and fly along the South Carolina coastline followed by civilian owned and flown vintage aircraft. For up-to-date scheduling information or to post a tribute, visit salutefromtheshore.org.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Proving that Hilton Head Island is “so much more than a day at the beach,” the award-winning Arts Center of Coastal Carolina “seeks to delight, inspire and – best of all – entertain you” as a regional showcase for professional performing and visual arts, as well as cultural festivals and educational outreach.

“Jersey Boys,” the Tony Award-winning musical sensation about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is center stage at the Arts Center, June 28 through August 20.

Showcasing the incredible journey of four guys bound by one dream — to make it to the top — experience the electrifying performances that led them to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “My Eyes Adored You” and more.

Labor Day Weekend, “The Police Experience” delivers the mesmerizing, dynamic show The Police were known for in the ‘80s. Audiences will be transported by the world’s best Police tribute band, reliving hits like “Roxanne,” “Walking on The Moon,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” and other classics, September 2-3.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.com/85POPE

Best Google reviews in the area!

83 Pope Avenue, HHI, SC. 29928 (843) 715-3083 • www.cravestationhhi.com

“Make a Splash This Summer” at one of the many actionpacked summer camps for ages 6 and up, June 12 through August 4. From “Kids ‘n Clay” and “Theatre Camp” to “Mixed Up Masterpieces” and “STEAM Tinker,” the focus is on creativity and skill building.

“We are thrilled to have another exciting line-up of summer camps for the youth of our area as well as seasonal visitors. It’s part of what we do at the Arts Center – year-round arts education programming for our region. A very special part, in fact,” notes Jeffrey Reeves, the Arts Center’s President/CEO. “We’ve welcomed over 310,000 participants to our educational programs – like the summer camps – since opening in 1996.” For performance information and tickets, call the Box Office at (843) 842-2787 or book online at artshhi.com. For summer camp details and registration, call (843) 686-3945 or email aadams@artshhi.com.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum

The place “where kids learn to play and play to learn,” The Sandbox caters to children and their caregivers with ageappropriate, interactive exhibits and activities at their convenient location in Lowcountry Celebration Park.

The littlest ones have a specially designed space for crawling, sliding and playing while bigger kids can explore the magical two-story Sandcastle in the middle of the Museum, set sail on the Shrimp Boat, create masterpieces in the Art Studio, experiment on the interactive Lego wall or life-size Lite Bright board, invent in the MakerSpace, shop in the Island Grocery, care for four-legged friends in the Beaches Vet Clinic or fly the friendly skies in a real jet complete with flight simulations and directions for takeoff and landing.

Weekly summer camps for ages 4-12 are offered June 5 through August 4 with various themes integrating handson learning with S.T.E.A.M. activities, as well as supervised play. Half-day and full-day options are offered with children grouped according to age.

The Sandbox is open for 3-hour general admission sessions throughout the week; online reservations are recommended. Pre-registration is required for summer camps. (843) 842-7645 or thesandbox.org.