Here are 5 ways to spend Memorial Day in Beaufort SC beyond the beach in 2023

Sarah Claire McDonald
·3 min read
Jasper Wiseley, of Beaufort, stands with his fellow members of the Patriot Guard Riders during the 120th Memorial Day Ceremony at the Beaufort National Cemetery on Monday, May 30, 2016, in Beaufort.

Have any plans for Memorial Day weekend yet?

Memorial Day, which is on Monday, is a federal holiday meant to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military and is annually observed on the last Monday of May. The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day.

Many individuals also tend to view the holiday weekend as a way to mark the traditional start of the summer season.

So, if you’re looking for more ways to spend the upcoming holiday weekend locally with more than just a backyard cookout, get ready to make your calendars.

Get ready to mark your calendars. Here are five upcoming events to attend in Beaufort County.

Hilton Head Island Art Festival

Taking place on Memorial Day weekend, this year’s Hilton Head Island Art Festival will occur this weekend. The event, hosted by the Nash Gallery, will be held at the Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees may shop, dine and enjoy the festival’s entertainment while examining the many works from the event’s artists. Such works will feature mediums including glass, wood, pottery, jewelry, painting, photography and metal. Admission for this year’s festival will be free.

Hilton Head Memorial Day Freedom Run 5K

Palmetto Running Company presents the 8th annual Hilton Head Freedom 5K run & walk this year that will be held on Memorial Day at Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head Island. The Freedom 5K is an opportunity to honor those who have served in the armed forces with a fun, family friendly event. Participants are asked to run or walk with the American flag and to dress in their best red, white and blue attire. If so, participants will have the chance to win the most patriotic runner award.

Packet pick up and late registration will be held on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Palmetto Running Company, which is at the Shelter Cover Towne Center at 28 Shelter Cove Lane #117. The first 400 runners will receive a Freedom Run 5K race shirt and the first 300 will also receive a special Freedom Run dog tag.

For more information and to register, go online and visit https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/HiltonHeadIsland/HiltonHeadFreedom5K?aflt_token=vkmwDmweQ4iCYn8otSOOnKQ3vCO8buOw.

Decoration Day

Morning Glory Homestead Farm presents the Gullah Campfire Supper with Stories and Songs for May this year as they host the annual Decoration Day celebration, with this year’s theme being “Decoration Day: A Community Celebration.” At the event will be guest speaker, Harold L. “Mitch” Mitchel.

The event will take place on Memorial Day from 6-9 p.m. at Morning Glory Homestead Farm, found at 42 Robert And Clara Trail on St. Helena Island.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit https://www.morninggloryhomestead.com/event-details/decoration-day-celebration-1.

Annual Beaufort Memorial Day Parade

The annual Beaufort Memorial Day Parade is back again and is scheduled to take place on Memorial Day at 10 a.m. The parade will begin lining up at 9 a.m. The parade will be beginning on Adventure Street and will then follow its traditional route along Boundary Street, onto Carteret Street, Bay Street and then end at the Beaufort National Cemetery. Then at noon, a ceremony to commemorate all those in the military who lost their lives in service will be held at the Beaufort National Ceremony with a keynote speaker.

Memorial Day Ceremony

A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place in Veterans Park in Shelter Cove, which can be found at 50 Shelter Cove Lane, on Memorial Day from 9:30 a.m. until noon.