Five-Day Festival Features Games, Picnics, Entertainment
When Bald Head Islanders celebrate the Fourth of July, they draw on imagination, creativity and enthusiastic energy to produce one of the most popular events of the multi-featured festival—the golf cart parade. Each year, an average of 100 carts comprises the parade line-up, which includes several categories. Among them are "Overall Best of Bald Head Island," "Environmental," "Tacky Tourist" and "Patriotic."
This year's five-day celebration features numerous events throughout the island, including family Olympics, picnics, cookouts and entertainment, as well as many special activities for children.
Festivities begin on Wednesday, July 2, with the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Bald Head Island Club pool. Later that afternoon Family Crafts at the club's tent features stained glass works. Afterwards, Eb & Flo's Steam Bar and Bald Head Island Limited host a crawfish boil and barbecued beef ribs cookout sure to satisfy every family's appetite.
Family Beach Olympics, hosted by the Shoals Club, start off the day on Thursday, July 3, with relays, tugs of war, obstacle courses, and other games to challenge family teams. Afternoon brings a Patriotic Tie-Dye event giving all participants an opportunity to create a unique memento.
Still later that afternoon and evening, the BHI Conservancy Annual Picnic, Auction and Raffle to be held on The Common at Cape Fear Station will offer bluegrass music, beer and wine garden, children's games, concessions, a bake sale and pie eating contest. Participants may preview auction and raffle items from 3-5 p.m., with dinner from 5-7 p.m. A silent auction comes first from 6-7 p.m. and the live auction from 7-8 p.m. The raffle’s grand prize is a street-ready, customized, two-passenger Tomberlin golf cart or $5,000 cash. Tickets may be purchased at Turtle Central, the BHIC administrative office, or the Maritime Market. A choice of dining events for the day includes Eb & Flo's Backyard Bar-B-Q or the Shoals Club Bar-B-Q Cookout & Bingo at the Event Pavilion.
Friday, July 4, brings the much anticipated cart parade with registration at 9 a.m. and the parade beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Parade registration and line-up will be staged at the Harbourside Pavilion. And after the parade, cookouts at the Harbourside Pavilion and the Shoals Club will satisfy appetites worked up by the morning’s excitement. Later that evening, there’s Eb & Flo's Lobster Night.
A brief respite restores everyone's energy before the 8 p.m. Fireworks Cruise, when passengers board the Bald Head Island Ferry, which anchors in the Cape Fear River for a spectacular fireworks display by the City of Southport.
The fun continues on Saturday, July 5, with an island-wide Parade of Homes hosted by Bald Head Island Limited and The Island Agency. A carnival at the Harbourside Pavilion will offer a cookout, live music and games for kids. Then move on out to the beach for the sand castle building competition beginning at 2 p.m., hosted by the Shoals Club. Wind up the evening at the Shoals Club Event Pavilion for a traditional low country boil and old-fashioned family fun.
On Sunday, July 6, the day begins with Uncle Sam's Fun run at 10 a.m. — a family friendly one mile or 5K. An afternoon Stars & Stripes Scavenger Hunt, hosted by the Shoals Club, completes the day's activities as family teams search for red, white and blue clues with treasures rewarded.
A complete schedule of activities and events throughout the five-day celebration will be available at The Island Agency sales offices on Marina Wynd and Maritime Way, as well as Guest Services and the Maritime Market, or you may download a copy by clicking here.
If you're not able to make the July 4 celebration, be sure to mark your calendar now for the three-day Labor Day Beach Music Extravaganza on Bald Head Island Aug. 29, 30 and 31, featuring a Shrimp-A-Roo, Cookout and Annual Texas Bar-B-Q. Eat, drink and dance to the lively beat of The Catalinas, The Band of Oz and Key Lime Pie.
For additional Labor Day weekend value, check out our Extravaganza Getaway package that includes discounted accommodations, round-trip ferry passage, temporary Bald Head Island Club and Shoals Club memberships, and discounted tickets to all paid events. For information call 1-800-432-RENT.
