Six Ways to Celebrate the Fourth on the Hammock Coast

Once you arrive at your vacation property, put the watermelon and soft drinks or adult beverages on ice to enjoy while sitting on the deck. Arrange with our partner Groceries Ahead to have everything delivered to your rental before you arrive. 

Rent beach gear through Vacation Gear, which provides free delivery and pickup to your beach property for orders over $200. Rent chairs, umbrellas, life jackets, and more to make the most of your Fourth vacation at the beach. 

Then, prepare for the celebrations! Start Independence Day with the Pawleys Island July Fourth Parade, which rolls at 10 a.m. Residents and visitors take part in this amusing, nostalgic, and patriotic parade, which starts at Pawleys Island Town Hall. Register and decorate a truck, car, or golf cart (also available for rent), and take your place in the line-up. Or watch from the streets as the parade rolls by.

Then, pick a spot on the coast at Murrells Inlet or Pawleys Island to see the Salute From The Shore, a flyover that starts around 11 a.m., with the military aircraft flying at about 1 p.m. Fifteen years ago, friends Johnny Folsom and Toddy Smith were inspired while celebrating the 4th of July on the beach. They decided to honor military personnel serving overseas. Their idea has evolved into a cherished tradition, featuring F16s, a C-17 and privately owned aircraft. Attendees are encouraged to wave American flags to show support for the military. 

Later, grab a spot at the MarshWalk to view the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, which launches from Garden City Point at 6 p.m., and then follows the shoreline south. This year’s theme is “Made in America.” The boats get all decked out in red, white, and blue, as do the hundreds of spectators who line the docks. 

After the boat parade, stick around to watch the Murrells Inlet fireworks display, which follows at 10 p.m.

Then you can head back to your vacation rental to bite into that ice-cold watermelon. Now that sounds like a firecracker of a Fourth!