Hilton Head Island celebrates 360th sighting and town’s 40th anniversary
July 5, 2023
You’re invited to participate, volunteer and share in the festivities
This year marks two significant milestones in Hilton Head Island’s history – the 360th anniversary of the sighting of the headlands of the Island by Captain William Hilton and the 40th anniversary of the Island’s incorporation as a municipality.
In honor of these milestones, the Town of Hilton Head Island has planned a series of events to celebrate the Island’s history, ecology, culture, and people. “We want to unite the community to celebrate what is important to us. Each of us has a story about how this place has inspired, nurtured, or sustained us,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “The events scheduled as part of this celebration provide meaningful opportunities for us to reflect on what’s important and spend time with our fellow Islanders.”
The celebrations will include two free anchor events – a community picnic on Saturday, August 26, and a concert in the park on Saturday, September 16. Between those dates, a series of unique experiences designed to honor the Island’s rich natural, cultural, and historic resources will be offered.
The Town has launched a dedicated website (hiltonheadisland360-40.org) to provide details about celebration events and chronicle the Island’s history and accomplishments. Additionally, the site allows community members to share memories, milestones, and photos.
Community Picnic
Saturday, August 26 from 4 – 8 pm
Lowcountry Celebration Park
94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island
Attendees can enjoy complimentary traditional picnic fare (hamburgers, hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages), fun and games (face painting, animal balloons, bounce houses, rock climbing, and more) for all ages, local musicians, and recognition of community members and organizations. Admission is free. Beer trucks will have alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Community Concert
Saturday, September 16 at 7 pm
Lowcountry Celebration Park
94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island
Hosted by the Town of Hilton Head Island, this event will be the finale of the 360/40 celebration and the inaugural Hilton Head Island Jam Songwriter Festival. Admission is free.
In addition to the community picnic, tours, concerts, and music happenings, there are several opportunities for the public to be involved with the celebration:
Volunteer for 360/40 Celebration Events
Volunteers are the heart of the community! The 360/40 Celebration Committee seeks volunteers to help with the community picnic, community concert, and various celebration events from August 26-September 16. Sign up through the 360/40 event website.
Submit a Hilton Head Island Milestone
You can share memorable moments or photos about Hilton Head Island’s unique history and culture. Submit online at the 360/40 event website.
Submit a 360/40 Celebration Event
The 360/40 Celebration Committee seeks event submissions from local nonprofits, businesses, and the cultural community to showcase and celebrate our Island’s rich history. Please submit your event information by July 15 for the first round of promotions and by August 1 for the second round. The Celebration Committee will review all submissions promptly, but the earlier, the better for robust planning and promotion! The online submission form and more details are available on the 360/40 event website.
To learn more about celebrations to honor our Island’s milestones, history, growth, and people, please visit hiltonheadisland360-40.org. Questions or comments? Send emails to [email protected].
