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TOP EVENTS of the Lowcountry

The wide variety of annual events around Hilton Head and Bluffton is staggering considering the relatively small geographical size of the area. From culture to cuisine, these festivals represent the many great aspects of our community. Mark your calendar in advance for a year of fun.

MARCH

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 2010, date, route to be announced

The island’s annual St. Paddy’s Day Parade is the island’s largest free event and more than 20,000 people attended in 2009. The parade had more than 100 floats and plenty of dancers, marching bands and more. Several local bars also have bands and beer in their parking lots along the parade route.

Wine & Food Festival

Noon-4 p.m., March 13, 2010, Honey Horn Plantation,
www.hiltonheadhospitalityassociation.com

2010 is the 25th anniversary of this island tradition. It’s sponsored by the Hilton Head Hospitality Association and is the largest outdoor, tented wine tasting on the East Coast. One of the special things happening in 2010 is that a portion of proceeds of the festival will be donate to the United Way of the Lowcountry, which distributes money to 39 Beaufort and Jasper county agencies. Good food, good wine — for a good cause!

FEBRUARY

Gullah Celebration

Throughout February 2010, www.gullahcelebration.com

The Gullah Celebration is a time to look back at the culture and history of the descendants of West Africans brought in bondage to the coastal islands of South Carolina and Georgia. There are a huge variety of events throughout February, including musical programs, food tastings, films, lectures, arts and crafts events and much more. One of the most popular features in 2009 was the return of the Marsh Tacky race at Mitchelville Beach.

APRIL

Verizon Heritage

April 12-18, 2010, Harbour Town Golf Links, verizonheritage.com

The Verizon Heritage is known as a weeklong party. Oh, and there’s golf, too. But it’s not your staid golf tournament, like say, The Masters, which is played the week prior to the Verizon. The Verizon draws some of the biggest stars on the PGA tour (we love Boo!), but the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed. The best part? Hundreds of thousands of dollars go to charity through the amazing work of the Heritage Classic Foundation.

SEPTEMBER

Jazz and Brew Festival

Noon-4 p.m, Sept. 19, 2009, Shelter Cove Harbour, www. hiltonhead hospitalityassociation.com

The Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival is the perfect showcase for all the great food, beer and jazz we enjoy on Hilton Head. While the main event is Sept. 19, there are events island-wide Sept. 14-19, including the first annual Men Drinking Beer, which includes beer tastings and more. On Sept. 18, Jazz at the Park will be presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.

NOVEMBER

Taste of the Season

Nov. 13, Sea Pines Country Club, www.hiltonhead.org

Taste of the Season is viewed as the kickoff to the holiday season on Hilton Head Island. The event features many restaurants and chefs offering a sampling of gourmet fare. It is sponsored by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.

OCTOBER

Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival

Oct. 18-25, 2009, Bluffton Historic District, www.blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.com

The 5th Annual Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival features luncheons, tours, dinners, tournaments, an Iron Chef Challenge and a street fest showcasing locally-harvested seafood, Lowcountry cuisine, local history and art. There’s also kayak tours, fishing tournaments and more. The big event is Sunday, but the weeklong series of events is a fantastic representation of what the Lowcountry really means.

Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival

Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2009, Honey Horn Plantation, www.hhiconcours.com

Get your motor running! As the organizers put it, it’s “Four glorious events — one incredible destination.” This hugely popular three-day event has something for everyone, including a two-day vintage race track event with professional racers; Motoring Midway, a two-day showcase of classic cars and motorcycles; the Car Club Jamboree (more than 150 car clubs from around the country participate at this showcase of vehicles); and the big finale, the Concours d’Elegance competition day on Sunday. The Concours is a not-to-be missed island event.

DECEMBER

Dove Street Festival of Lights

Throughout the Christmas holidays; Dove Street, Hilton Head, www.dovestreetlights.com

The Dove Street Festival of Lights had an unusual beginning. A Dove Street resident brought home their new baby girl and lit up their 40-foot magnolia tree in honor of her first Christmas. Neighbors joined in, and a tradition began. Thousands of people come out to the little neighborhood every year to check out the more than 80,000 lights that decorate the participating homes. It’s a sight to behold. When visitors tried to help pay for the light bills, the neighbors decided to accept donations and give them to Deep Well, a local charitable organization. Santa would be proud.

There’s SO MUCH More!

While we couldn’t include every event in the area, honorable mentions go to the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Celebrity Chef Classic, the Bridge Run, WingFest, the Chili Cookoff, Hawkfest, the Bluffton Children’s Fourth of July Parade, BRAVO Celebrate the Arts!, the Beach Burn Triathalon, the many golf tournaments that raise money for charity, the annual island Christmas dinner for the needy, the Hilton Head Equestrian Exposition and the multiple tennis tournaments.