Independence Day and the week that surrounds it are always full of fun activities and fireworks in the Golden Isles. Here you’ll find some general details about what to expect but be sure to check the Elegant Island Living website calendar and social media for updated information and additional events that may be scheduled as we get closer to the holiday.
St. Simons Island
The 50+ Crafts in the Village artisan vendors will be set up and selling their wares in Postell Park, beginning at 10:00 a.m. daily, Saturday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 4. Shop original art, woodworking, pottery, jewelry, woodcrafts, plants, specialty foods, candles, soaps, skincare, décor and much more underneath the canopy of shady live oaks in the heart of the Village on St. Simons Island. Hours 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday- Monday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. That’s right--2 extra days of holiday shopping! Plus live music by The Pine Box Dwellers 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday & Tuesday. Meet a Mermaid on Monday 10am-1pm - Be sure to bring your camera!
The 39th Annual Sunshine Festival Race begins the day on Tuesday, July 4th. This holiday event is fun for the whole family and has been enjoyed by generations. At 7:00 a.m., 5k runners will follow a route that winds through the beautiful live oak and Spanish moss-lined streets in the Village with Kings Park at 601 Mallery St (across from Mallery Park) as the start and finish point. This is a USTAF Certified 5k route and chip timing is provided by Second Wind Timing. The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will start in the same location immediately following the 5k at 8:00 a.m. In addition to the usual 5k and 1 Mile Awards for top finishers, there are awards for Best Costume, Best (Largest) Team, Fastest Team, Cheetah Speed Team Challenge (for CrossFit or Fitness Gym Teams) and awards for the best-decorated homes along the route. There will be a Runners Expo with Packet Pickup held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 3rd at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way. Free runner swag will be available for runners at the Expo. It is strongly recommended that you (or your friends and family) pick up your packet on Monday, the day before the race. Race Day Packet Pickup will begin at 6:00 a.m. on the 4th at Mallery Park Pavilion. Registration for the 5K will end promptly at 6:45 a.m. and 1 Mile Race registration will end at 7:45 a.m. While walkup registration at the Expo or on Race Day is permitted, participants registered by June 12th are the only runners guaranteed a high-quality short-sleeve T-shirt (youth and adult sizes) or Tank Top (adult sizes), so register early at runsignup.com.
Golden Isles Track Club uses the proceeds of this event to support healthy living through motion in our community, including several youth organizations, area high school track, cross-country teams, and local projects that enhance the walking, running, and cycling experience, including water refill stations and trails. Volunteers are always needed, so get in touch if you’d like to participate! Additional race information can be found at goldenislestrack.club.
A patriotic golf cart parade will take place in the Village in the afternoon on the 4th of July. Line-up begins at Mallery Park at 1:30pm and parade procession begins at 2:30pm. Register with $20 donation (will benefit No Kill Glynn County). For more info, stop by St. Simons Bait & Tackle.
2023 Golf Cart Parade
On the evening of Tuesday, July 4, bring your family, friends, beach chairs, blankets, and snacks to get a good spot in and around Neptune Park and the Village to see the fireworks at the pier. Admission and parking are free. Fireworks begin at sundown, around 9:00 p.m. The pier and south end of Mallery Street will be closed to cars and pedestrian traffic beginning that morning.
Brunswick
Brunswick's annual Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration will be held on Tuesday, July 4th at Mary Ross Waterfront Park. It begins with a golf cart and bike parade, as well as a pet parade at 5:30 p.m. (Registration at 5:00 p.m.) At 6:00 p.m. the Penguin Project will perform a portion of Disney’s Lion King, Jr. Old fashioned games, live music by Squirt Gun, food vendors, free watermelon, and fireworks at dusk make this a fun evening for the whole family. For more details, visit discoverbrunswick.com.
Jekyll Island
Watch the night sky light up as Jekyll Island celebrates Independence Day on Tuesday with a fireworks display. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m., depending on lighting and weather conditions, when the sky offers the best background for this incredible pyrotechnic display. The fireworks display is viewable across an oceanside section of the island, so grab a seat on the beach or park and view the show from your car at the premier viewing locations of Great Dunes Beach Park and Oceanview Beach Park. The Jekyll Island parking fee will be increased for the day of the event. The fee at the parking gate will be an additional $4 per daily pass; annual passes are not impacted. For more information, visit jekyllisland.com.
Sea Island
For residents and guests of Sea Island, The Cloister and Beach Club have a full roster of activities scheduled each year during the week of the 4th of July. Independence Day usually begins with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a full day of family fun that includes a patriotic parade and concludes with a fireworks display. For detailed information, visit seaisland.com.
