Walkin’ On Sunshine

The Sunshine Festival is returning to the Village on Simons Island and Elegant Island Living is thrilled to be included as a sponsor. Not only will there be fireworks on the 4th of July, the Golden Isles Track Club’s Sunshine Festival 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run, and 50+ arts & craft vendors at the Craft Marketplace in Postell Park, just wait to hear what else is in store for your holiday weekend fun! EIL has gotten the inside scoop from the organizers and we’re letting you know all the info we’ve got at time of print. The festivities will begin on Friday, July 2 and run through Sunday, July 4 with events and activities the whole family will enjoy. Come out to celebrate our nation's independence and our beautiful island at the 2021 Sunshine Festival.

Creative & Crafty 

The Sunshine Festival Craft Marketplace, will include 50+ craft and artist booths set up in Postell Park from 10:00 a.m. daily to 5:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday and extended to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Ameris Bank is a participating sponsor. Confirmed Craft/Art Vendors from the region include:

Apparel, textiles & accessories: Holi Cow Wearables, Fouta Spa Specialty Towels & Robes, Waddell Leather, Sun Hats, American Girl Doll Clothing by Lisa, and Mystic Needles.

Art & Décor: 18 Loves Art with Heart by Amelia Jamerson , Get Wired! Wire Décor, Sonshine Chimes Glass Chimes & Suncatchers, Brenda Meeks Mandala Art, L'ava'nder's Cork, Fabian Home Designs tree art, FancyNest bird houses, and Sittin Easy Sustainable Porch Furniture.

Gourmet goodies: Poppy's Kettle Corn, Grown Wild Foods-Home of the Bourbon Bacon Pecan, and Simply Savory Dip Mixes.

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Sun chimes vendor

Sun chimes vendor

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Tree prints vendor

Tree prints vendor

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Kettle corn vendor

Kettle corn vendor

Jewelry: THR Barcelona Jewelry & Art, Jewelry by Amelia, Gemstones by Nora, Perfect Fit Toe Rings, Stone-Good Jewelry, Gypsy Hook Jewelry, and Beads on the Vine.

Photography: George Hernandez, Debbie Mumford, Kenny Nobles, and Savannah Sam.

Skin/body care, candles & fragrances: RachelMade Candles & Skincare, Sweet Tea Soaps, Body & Soul, and Zah's Crystal Nail Files.

Celebrate with Specials 

Keep an eye out for holiday sales and specials at the many stores and boutiques on the island over the weekend. If you stop by Island Dog and make a purchase, your dog will receive a complimentary cookie, just like Sidney, our favorite four-legged fella in the feature, did. At Two Brothers Bike Shop, you’ll get a small ice cream from Saint Simons Sweets with each bicycle rental and 4% off the entire store from July 3-5. They’re also selling St. Simons Island July 4th shirts for $5 each, while supplies last. Follow the Elegant Island Living Facebook and Instagram accounts to stay up to date on special offers and sales from our advertisers.

Fill ‘Er Up! 

Because no party is complete without good food, there will be local food trucks on site near the St. Simons Casino/Postell Park each day of the festival. On Friday, Jefecita’s Mobile Kitchen will tempt your tastebuds with mouthwatering Mexican fare from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Country Boy Cooking will be serving up some down-home deliciousness. You can also cool off with icy treats from the Kona Ice Truck from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday. Additional food trucks may be participating, so watch the Elegant Island Living website and social media for updates and additions. 

Dancing in the Street 

**6/10 UPDATE - PER THE COUNTY, ALL LIVE MUSIC FOR THE SUNSHINE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN CANCELLED. ALSO, THE SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT ZIGGY’S THAT WEEKEND AS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED.**

There’s a full line-up of great bands providing music in Neptune Park all weekend long. Not only do we have some big names in Beach Music and Motown heavy hitters, there are some talented local/regional bands too, including Lauren Marie, The Dillagaff Country Band, and Salt Water Gypseas. They’re still working out specific schedules, but here’s what’s set so far.

Things kick off Friday evening with shag favorites, The Swingin’ Medallions. Known best for their signature song, "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)" which became a million seller in 1966, The Swingin' Medallions have been based out of the Greenwood, SC area since the early 1960s. Called “The Party Band of the South,” the band’s line-up has always included approximately eight high-energy stage performers with at least a four piece horn section. Whether you call their style “beach music,” R&B, or “shag music,” they’ll have you up dancing and swaying to the beat before the night is through. 

Saturday night’s musical entertainment features The Four Tops. Named by Rolling Stone and Billboard magazine as one of the Top 100 Artists of All Time, The Four Tops have also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, R&B Music Hall of Fame, and Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, and are included on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and their songs “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” earned spots in The Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1997, they were also honored with the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award. The songs released by The Four Tops, which also include hits like “It’s the Same Old Song,” and “Baby, I Need Your Loving,” were the epitome of what became known as the Motown Sound: simple, distinctive melodies and rhymes, call-and-response lyrics, backed by strong musical contributions of studio band, the Funk Brothers. Their 1966 song “Reach Out I’ll Be There” not only became their biggest hit and signature song, it is one of the most popular Motown songs of all time. 

Gates for Friday and Saturday’s shows open at 5:00 p.m., and music starts at 6:00 p.m. Bring your own chairs or blankets for seating. Tickets will be available at the gate or can be purchased in advance at Iguana's Restaurant or online at freshtickets.com. There are VIP ticket packages and 2-night passes available.

On Sunday, the spotlight will turn to local band Salt Water Gypseas. This newly formed group featuring karaoke darlings Misty and Shawn McGee, is backed by longtime veterans of the local music scene, Darin Harlow, Will Aspinwall and Rick Joyce. The band is quickly becoming known for strong vocal performances, quality covers, and energetic shows. They’ll be set up at Neptune Park for the enjoyment of the picnicking families and the crowd gathering for the fireworks. Music will begin around 6:00 p.m. and will break for the fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. Tunes will resume after the pyrotechnic show is over. No admission fee or tickets required. 

Run for Fun

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. GITC is thrilled that this 37th annual event is back in person for 2021! Come run with your friends and family 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. on Sunday, July 4th. A 1-Mile Fun Run for children will be held immediately following the 5K at 8:00 a.m.

Winners in the Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grand Masters and top three male and female runners in each age group categories will be presented awards created by local artists. An award will also be given to the largest team and for the best-decorated house along the race route. 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.

Just like in years past, GITC will use the proceeds of this event to support running-related causes in our community, including Girls on the Run; high school track and cross country teams; and local projects that develop and maintain walking, running, and cycling paths in Glynn County. In fact, donation requests for the Brunswick High School track team, Girls on the Run, Fort Frederica, the St. Simons Land Trust, and trail improvements at Blythe Island Regional Park have already been approved. Thanks go out to the many generous sponsors who support the Sunshine Festival races and the loyal participants who make this event memorable every year.

To register for the 5K or the 1-Mile Fun Run, visit the Golden Isles Track Club’s website goldenislestrack.club or sign up on itsyourrace.com. For questions or further information, contact race director Lesley Leonard at lesleysomm13@gmail.com. Volunteer opportunities are available too, so you can still participate in the fun, even if you don’t run.

Patriotic 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 1:30 p.m. In the past couple years, more than 100 carts have been in the parade as it makes its way through the Village, so get there early for prime placement in the procession. And spectators, get a good, comfy seat with a great view to watch this impressive display of American pride. For registration information, follow St. Simons Bait & Tackle’s Facebook page or call 912.634.1888.

Sparkling Spectacular

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.

Bottom line: 4th of July weekend on St. Simons Island is going to be good. We recommend biking, walking, carpooling, or taking the golf cart in the Village whenever possible because parking will be limited and you know the island roads are going to be busy. Plan to take a little extra time, smile at our visitors, and be thankful we have great community events like this again. We hope to see YOU at the Sunshine Festival! 

Brunswick's Semiquincentennial Celebration & Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration

On Saturday, July 3, the day will begin with a 10:00 a.m. parade from Hanover Square, down Newcastle Street, to Mary Ross Waterfront Park. Register to walk, bike, or ride your golf cart in the patriotic procession. There will also be a pet parade at 11:00 a.m., axe throwing tournament at 11:30 a.m., live music with Beau & the Burners, arts, crafts, food, and a farmers’ market.                                                                                                                                                                                      

On 4th of July, join the happy kids and adults who gather at Mary Ross Waterfront Park for Brunswick's Old Fashioned 4th of July. Considered one of the best small town 4th of July celebrations in the South, this popular annual event includes free games for kids of all ages, slices of delicious watermelon, and a phenomenal fireworks display. A Cornhole Tournament will begin the day’s festivities at 9:00 a.m. Then, that evening, a watermelon give-away and kids’ games start at 6:00 p.m. These organized and supervised classic old-timey games feature sack races, tug-of-war, horseshoes, various ball games, hula-hoop contests, and more. At 7:00 p.m., Michaele Hannemann will provide music. Brunswick's fireworks over the waters of the East River and Oglethorpe Bay start around 9:00 pm and last 30 minutes.

More details and parage registration info at discoverbrunswick.com.

Jekyll Island – 4th of July Fireworks Display 

Since Jekyll Island is limiting their 4th of July Festivities to fireworks, they’re pulling out all the stops for this year’s display. Watch the night sky light up with an Independence Day fireworks spectacular that will have kids of all ages oohing and aahing 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 show will be viewable across an oceanside section of the island. Park and enjoy the view 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.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day Weekend!