Laurens County 250 Committee to Host Carolina Day Commemoration June 28

The Laurens County 250 Committee will host Carolina Day in Laurens on Sunday, June 28, beginning at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Laurens, 300 W. Main St., to commemorate the role Laurens County played in the Revolutionary War.

The gathering falls on Carolina Day, the annual observance of the June 28, 1776, Battle of Sullivan’s Island, when South Carolina forces turned back a British fleet attempting to capture Charleston. The defenders held a fort built largely of palmetto logs and sand, which absorbed the British cannon fire and helped secure a victory that later earned the palmetto its place on the state flag. South Carolinians have marked the date as Carolina Day for generations.

The afternoon program will feature guest speakers and a Revolutionary War exhibit, according to the committee.

At 4 p.m., the commemoration will continue with the Ringing of the Bells, followed by a procession to the Laurens Historic Square for the dedication of the America 250 Marker.

At 5 p.m., the Laurens County Museum will hold the grand opening of its American Revolutionary War Exhibit.

The events are part of the broader America 250 effort, a national initiative marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. In Laurens County, the Laurens County 250 Committee has worked to highlight the local stories, sites, and figures tied to the founding era as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial in 2026.

The public is invited to attend. First Baptist Church of Laurens is located at 300 W. Main St., Laurens, SC 29360.