Mark those Hilton Head Calendars!

As we look forward to the exciting year ahead on Hilton Head Island, we have noted some of the Island festivals and happenings including the annual Springfest, The Heritage Golf Tournament, and many others.  As a coastal Island, our festivals begin with the first azalea bloom as early as February and last well into fall as the monarch butterflies make their migration south in late October.  Here are some great events to enjoy when you visit Hilton Head Island.

Festivals and Happenings on Hilton Head Island in 2010:

• January 23, 2010 ~ Hilton Head Snow Day  Hilton Head Island Recreation Association.  For more information, please call 843-681-7273.
• January 24, 2010: The Low Country Soup Challenge, benefiting the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, Noon to 3:00 PM at the Mall at Shelter cove. 843-689-6612.
• February 6, 2010 ~ The 8th Annual Hilton Head Island half marathon,  Saturday 8:00am Half Marathon 10K/5K and Health Walk Jarvis Creek Park – Hilton Head. 
• February 1 – 28  ~ The 14th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration(at various locations). Art exhibits, food festivals, crafts, storytelling, gospel concerts, movie screenings, horse races and much more celebrating the unique West African cultural heritage of the sea islands.  The 2010 schedule of events will include De Arts Ob We People XII Art Show & Sale, an Ol’ Fashioned Gullah Breakfast, National Freedom Day, A Gullah Film Fest Series, A Taste of Gullah – Food & Entertainment,  The Arts, Crafts & Food Expo on Presidents Day Weekend, and The Youth Musical. 
• March 1 – 15, 2010 ~  Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival More details to come on the 25th Anniversary of this great events that culminates at Wine Fest on Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival A host of opportunities have been scheduled to recognize our milestone 25th anniversary. Events planned include Wine Centered Women, Uncork the Festival, International Wine Judging and Competition, Great Chefs of the South and more…
• March 8 – 15 2010 ~ Hilton Head International Piano Competition The Hilton Head International Piano Competition (HHIPC), presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, is an annual, eight–day event, which has been held on the island since 1996. Featuring incredibly skilled pianists from around the globe, it is considered a leading international piano competition for competitors ages 18 – 30…
• March 20, 2010 ~ Hargray Wingfest 11am-6pm Come out to Shelter Cove Park for wings, wings and more wings! Food, live entertainment, activities and fun.
• April 12 – 18, 2010 ~ Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament.  It’s a legacy and tradition — a storied PGA TOUR golf tournament that’s been hosted by Harbour Town Golf Links for more than 36 years. In that time, legends such as Nicklaus, Palmer, Norman, and Love III have competed for the champion’s tartan jacket.   With more than three decades of rich history, this event’s champions have combined for 375 PGA Tour victories –including 66 major championships — and the purse has increased from $100,000 in 1969 to $5.7 million in 2010. Scheduled for April 12-18, 2010, this landmark PGA TOUR tournament promises to draw many of the biggest names on tour…
• April 24, 2010 ~ Hilton Head Seafood Festival ~ Shelter Cove Park Area restaurants will be featuring their best seafood dishes.  Live entertainment, an Iron Chef competition, silent auction and a Kid’s Zone  
•  2010 Summertime Events
  Summer Jams – June 15-Aug 10
  Shelter Cove Park – Tuesdays from 7pm-10pm
  Music and Family Entertainment followed by Fireworks!
• July 4th. 2010 – Firecracker 500– Saturday – 8:00AM SC 5K Sanctioned Run & Health Walk Mall at Shelter Cove – Hilton Head
• September 3-5, 2010 ~ Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament.  Matches amateur golfers and celebrities for a Labor Day Weekend filled with great camaraderie and fun for the sole purpose of raising funds for our local childrens charities with the greatest of needs.  
• September 13-18, 2010 ~ Hilton Head Island Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival.  Raise a stein and celebrate the world of craft brews for the week-long Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival (SJB), September 13-18, 2010. Key events include beer tastings, beer and food pairings, and jazz performances. Don’t miss the Men Drinking Beer (MDB) Grand Tasting or the Public Beer Tasting , September 18th at Shelter Cove Marina’s “Brews on the Harbour”.
• Saturday October 16, 2010 ~ Coastal Cajun Festival 11am-5pm Shelter Cove Park Sponsored by Hilton Head Area Home Builders benefiting the Island Rec Center.  Authentic Cajun Food, music, entertainment, kids fun activities and more.
• October 17 – 24, 2010 ~ The 6th annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival will be held in the charming and eclectic historic district of Bluffton, well known for its quirky art community and natural river beauty. The festival is an eight-day event offering a myriad of activities, showcasing the locally harvested seafood, delicious Low Country cuisine, rich history, great art and Southern hospitality found only in the south.
• November 13-14, 2010 ~ SCB&T Oyster Festival 12pm-5pm Shelter Cove Park Enjoy the oyster/beer/wine festival, musical entertainment, childrens games, craft show, silent auction and much more! If you don’t like oysters there will be lots of other food available.
• December 1 – 30 Dove Street Festival of Lights The Dove Street Festival of Lights benefits the Deep Well Project. It began 19 years ago and has been a source for inspiration as well as charitable donations.

Ready to Plan a trip to Hilton Head Island?

Have you made your spring or summer travel plans yet?  Hilton Head golf condos and Hilton Head Island vacation homes welcome you year round and provide the perfect summer vacation and a great getaway any time of year.  Hilton Head is ranked as one of the “Top 10 Family Beaches” and offers sub-tropical temperatures and wonderful places to relax.  If you are looking for a great place to rent, many of our clients and property owners rent their properties direct on VRBO, saving you money.  In addition to these properties, we also have access to special resort discounts at the Oceanfront Hilton, Marriott or Westin.  Simply e-mail us at islandrealtor@hargray.com and let us know what you are looking for. 

In the meantime, we have enclosed our free summertime maps and guides to plan your days ahead.  Please be sure to review the exceptional properties we offer for sale prior to your visit!  Hope to see you enjoying the Island in 2010!