There’s no place quite like Georgetown County in South Carolina when it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July. From whimsical parades and boat flotillas to live music, fireworks, and a laser light show, our communities each put their own unique spin on the holiday. Whether you’re a lifelong local or visiting the Hammock Coast for the first time, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate — with fun, flair and plenty of red, white, and blue.
This year’s festivities range from long-standing traditions like the quirky Pawleys Island parade and the splash-filled Murrells Inlet boat parade to the third annual county-sponsored Wave That Flag event at Retreat Park, complete with games, activities, and a dazzling laser light show made possible by the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and Hammock Coast. Read on for a rundown of where and how you can join in the fun across the county.
Pawleys Island Parade
A tradition for more than 50 years, the annual Pawleys Island 4th of July parade always draws a huge crowd and serious competition for the Best Float award. Floats draw on local issues, pop culture and current events for their themes — and families really get into it! The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. July 4 at the South Causeway. For registration information, related road closures and more, visit townofpawleysisland.com.
North Litchfield Children’s Parade
Also beginning at 10 a.m. July 4 is the North Litchfield Children’s parade. It leaves from Hanover Drive and winds through the neighborhood. This parade will feature lots of golf carts, bikes, scooters, wagons and even strollers. The thing that sets it apart is a ban on combustion engines and a focus on kids and family fun.
Salute from the Shore
The annual Independence Day military flyover will return this year with F-16s and a Warbird Flight following shortly after. The Warbird Flight will feature T-34s, T-6s and T-28s, plus a few other varieties, weather permitting. The flyover can be viewed from the beach from Cherry Gove all the way down to Beaufort. The F-16s are scheduled to fly over Murrells Inlet at 1:04 p.m. July 4 and Pawleys Island at 1:06 p.m., with the Warbird Flight following at 1:15 p.m. over Murrells Inlet and 1:28 p.m. over Pawleys Island. Times are approximate. It is recommended that spectators arrive early and be patient. Weather conditions and mechanical issues may play a role in how many aircraft ultimately fly during this event.
Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, fireworks
The 42nd annual Murrells Inlet boat parade will set sail from the point of Garden City at 2 p.m. July 4. Inlet celebrations will also include live music all day on the MarshWalk and a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Watch the parade and fireworks from the MarshWalk or Morse Park Landing.
Concert on the Kaminski House lawn
The Kaminski House will host its annual patriotic concert on the lawn, with music performed by the Indigo Choral Society. The event is free and open to all. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. July 4 and includes a Color Guard and songs from the American genre, Carolina-themed songs and a salute to our Armed Forces. Bring a chair or blanket and feel free to pack picnic items and snacks. It’s also a great place to view the city’s annual fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Georgetown Fireworks
The City of Georgetown’s annual fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. July 4 from Morgan Park. Spectators are encouraged to watch from East Bay Park and make sure to stay behind the barricades.
Music in the Park
On Saturday, July 5 at 6 p.m., keep the celebration going with a free concert in Maritime Park on Front Street, featuring beach music by The Tams — always a crowd favorite. This event is family friendly, fun for all ages and is sponsored by the Georgetown Business Association.
Wave That Flag Fest and Laser Light Show
Now in its third year, Wave That Flag features a laser-light show that will make the sky shine on Sunday, July 6. The festival will take place from 6-8 p.m. at Georgetown County’s Retreat Park, located at 633 Wildcat Way in Litchfield. The light show will begin around 9 p.m., after dark. After garnering rave reviews in its first two years, the third Wave That Flag Festival will feature a Bocce Ball tournament, live music (including headliner Elise Testone), vendors and food trucks, culminating in the spectacular laser-light show produced by Stone Entertainment and sponsored by South Carolina’s Hammock Coast and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. The free festival is hosted by Georgetown County Parks and Recreation and coordinated by VibeTime. Read more about this event at https://www.gtcounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=582.
Practice fireworks safety this 4th of July
Our local Fire/EMS teams recommend leaving the fireworks to the professionals. In 2024, there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths and 14,700 people injured by fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you absolutely insist on doing fireworks yourself here are some tips from Georgetown County Emergency Services:
- Only use fireworks in a safe, open area away from homes, dry grass, and flammables
- Never allow children to handle fireworks, not even “just sparklers”
- Keep a bucket of water or a hose close by
- Light one at a time and move away quickly
- Never relight a “dud” — wait 20 minutes, then soak it in water
- Completely soak used fireworks before disposal
Don’t let a celebration turn into a tragedy. Here’s to a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July for all!