INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENTS - JULY 2-5
4th of July activities
FRIDAY JULY 2
ST SIMONS ISLAND
SUNSHINE FESTIVAL CRAFT MARKETPLACE
The Sunshine Festival Craft Marketplace, will include 50+ craft and artist booths set up in Postell Park on St. Simons Island Friday through Sunday. Craft/Art Vendors from the region will offer apparel, textiles & accessories, art & dėcor, gourmet goodies, jewelry, photography, skin/body care, candles & fragrances. Friday hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
BRUNSWICK
FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVITIES
Head downtown after 5:00 p.m. to enjoy after-hours shopping, dining & cocktails, and a Brunswick Music District concert in Jekyll Square featuring the musical stylings of DOiNK from 6-9pm. The Homemade Art exhibit opens in the Mildred Wilcox Gallery at The Historic Ritz Theatre.
SATURDAY JULY 3
ST SIMONS ISLAND
SUNSHINE FESTIVAL CRAFT MARKETPLACE in Postell Park 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
SEA PALMS GOLF CART PARADE
Registration at 10:00 a.m., parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Starts at Great Oaks Park, at the end of Great Oaks and S. Windward Drive, ends in front of Sea Palms Golf Club. Everyone is invited. Hot dogs & cookies served.
BRUNSWICK
SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
On Saturday, to celebrate Brunswick’s 250th Birthday, there will be a street parade down Newcastle at 10:00 a.m. The day’s fun will continue at Mary Ross Waterfront Park with a pet parade at 11:00 a.m., an axe throwing tournament at 11:30 a.m. and live music by Beau & the Burners also at 11:30 a.m.
DARIEN
RED, WHITE & BLUES ON THE BLUFF
Darien’s annual rockin’ Independence Day celebration takes place at the waterfront. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for a concert featuring Bonnie Blue (with Willis Gore) and Mason Waters & the Groove AllStars. Music starts at 6:00 pm. Fireworks take place at dusk. Admission is free. $10 fee for coolers.
SUNDAY JULY 4
ST. SIMONS ISLAND:
SUNSHINE FESTIVAL 5K & FUN RUN
A tradition for nearly four decades, Independence Day on Sunday begins with the Sunshine Festival 5K & Fun Run presented by the Golden Isles Track Club. Come out with your friends and family for the traditional holiday run along the beautiful oak and Spanish moss-lined streets of St. Simons Island. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. The race begins at Mallery Park at 7:00 a.m. A 1-Mile Fun Run for children will be held immediately following the 5K at 8:00 a.m. Race packets can be picked up at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way, on Saturday, July 3rd between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.
SUNSHINE FESTIVAL CRAFT MARKETPLACE in Postell Park 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
VILLAGE GOLF CART PARADE
The annual 4th of July golf cart parade in the Village organized by St. Simons Bait & Tackle will take place at 2:30 p.m. Dress up your carts, kids & pets in their patriotic best, because there are prizes! Line up by the Mallery Park baseball field at 2:00 p.m. $10 donation to animal shelters.
FIREWORKS
Pack a picnic, bring your blankets or beach chairs, and join your friends and family to watch the always spectacular firework show along the water at Neptune Park. Please be aware the fishing pier and southernmost end of Mallery Street will be closed to cars and pedestrian traffic beginning the morning of July 4. St. Simons Island's fireworks will begin at sundown, around 9:00 pm. No charge for admission or parking.
BRUNSWICK
GOLDEN ISLES CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Independence Day in Brunswick will begin with The Golden Isles Cornhole Tournament. Registration is at 9:30 a.m.Tournament begins at 11:00 a.m. $25 per person for social. $30 per person for advanced. Bring your own partner. 2 person teams. $5,000 payout. Bring your own coolers (no glass).
OLD FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY/FIREWORKS
Considered one of the best small town 4th of July celebrations in the South, this popular annual event at Mary Ross Waterfront Park includes free games for kids of all ages and a watermelon giveaway at 6:00 p.m. There will be live music by Michaele Hannemann at 7:00 p.m. The highly anticipated fireworks display over the waters of the East River and Oglethorpe Bay will start around 9:00 pm and last 30 minutes.
JEKYLL ISLAND
FIREWORKS
Jekyll Island is pulling out all the stops for this year’s fireworks display. Watch the night sky light up as kids of all ages ooh and aah at the amazing sight overhead. Fireworks will begin around 9:00 p.m. when the sky offers the best background for this incredible pyrotechnic display. The fireworks displays will be viewable across an oceanside section of the island. Park and view the show from your car at a beachside park. Ideal viewing locations include: Great Dunes Beach Park, Corsair Beach Park, and Oceanview Beach Park. The Jekyll Island parking fee will be increased for July 4. The fee at the parking gate will be an additional $4 per daily pass; annual passes are not impacted.
MONDAY JULY 5
ST SIMONS ISLAND
BEACH SWEEP
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful needs volunteers for their Annual July 5 Beach Sweep. Meet at the Old Coast Guard Station Beach Crossover to get bags/gloves at 8:00 a.m. They’ll be giving out free volunteer t-shirts while supplies last. The more hands, the quicker the clean-up!
LIVE MUSIC THROUGH JULY 5
For a full& updated listing of live music at local venues through the weekend, see the I’m With the Band blog.
