If you’re here in one of our SC vacation rentals this weekend, you’ve picked a good time to be here. The weather is delightfully cool-ish, perfect to enjoy some great outdoor events happening around the Lowcountry. As a quick follow up to that last blog, tonight is the first official night of the Holiday Festival of Lights. It's the perfect way to get friends and family in the holiday mood, especially when the air is brisk. In addition to all the fun things I mentioned in the blog, they will also be having some great live music this weekend. Get set for:
- Opening night on Friday - live music from Lowcountry Power Brass from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday night - The Charleston Community Jazz Band from 7 to 9 p.m.
Check out a picture perfect park near our SC vacation rentals for free...
Tourism in the state is booming. That means rental homes South Carolina are in higher demand than ever, particularly luxury beach house rentals SC. A Charleston beach house is an ideal way to see and experience the Lowcountry, much like being a local in your own home. Your luxury house on Isle of Palms provides a home base from which to visit historic the downtown Charleston peninsula, area beaches, parks, plantations and gardens. Speaking of parks - national, state and county parks have experienced a double digit increase in attendance, and Charleston in particular is blessed with some very good ones. Palmetto Island County Park in Mount Pleasant is well worth a visit, as is Charles Towne Landing in West Ashley. PICP is just over the IOP Connector and a short drive from all our Isle of Palms luxury rentals. If you’re here this weekend in one of our SC vacation rentals, there are a couple fun things to check out, one of which is free and park-related. Historic Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island is having a Fee Free Day tomorrow - Saturday, November 11th, from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. in honor of Veterans Day. The fort played a role in all the big wars from the Revolutionary War (as site of the first decisive victory by Patriot forces) all the way through the Second World War - providing official seacoast defense for the U.S. for 171 years (1776-1947). Fort Moultrie is convenient to all our beach rentals Charleston. It’s located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island, just across Breach Inlet from all our Isle of Palms vacation rentals. This is the last “fee free” day of the year for the fort.
More on the history of Fort Moultrie...
It was June 28th, 1776. Nine British warships were swarming in off the coastline, trying to gain a foothold in the colonies. But the 2nd South Carolina Regiment under command of Colonel William Moultrie had other ideas. They were positioned at Fort Sullivan on Sullivan’s Island, and they didn’t want to give up their turf. Though vastly outnumbered, they battled the Royal Navy and British Army and somehow managed to turn back the British interlopers. Moultrie’s victory was the first in the patriots’ fight for independence. Colonel Moultrie became the namesake for the fort on Sullivan’s Island, which is now well known as Fort Moultrie. It is part of the National Park Service, as a unit of Fort Sumter National Monument. And if you’re staying in one of our beach house rentals Charleston SC, it’s a fun outing for all ages in your family or group. Here’s a link with more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/302556190095408/
Celebrate Veterans near our SC vacation rentals...
Also tomorrow, in honor of Veterans Day, there will be a parade downtown. Here’s more from Live 5 News:
Charleston will honor and thank the many Lowcountry heroes who have served across generations during a special Veterans Day parade.
The parade Saturday afternoon will cross downtown Charleston, from East Bay Street to Colonial Lake. A short ceremony begins at 2:25 p.m. at the corner of South Market Street and East Bay Street. The Laing Middle School choir will perform the National Anthem followed by a C-17 flyover from Joint Base Charleston's 437th Airlift Wing.
The parade travels south along East Bay Street to Broad, turns right and continues to Colonial Lake. The parade is expected to end around 3:45 p.m. Click here for more information on this and other Veterans Day events around the Lowcountry.
“Big hats. Cold drinks. Fast horses.”
Then, on Sunday, November 12th is the new must-do (and must see-and-be-seen-at) event… the Steeplechase of Charleston. This is its second year, and it seems to have filled the void left by the Charleston Cup. It takes place at the Plantation at Stono Ferry. It’s on Highway 162 in Hollywood (South Carolina, not California) and is a scenic drive from all our SC vacation rentals. Gates open at 9:00 a.m., and opening ceremonies kick off at noon. Starting at 1:00 over 60 horses will compete in five races, with $75,000 at stake. They’ll have a big vendor village, food trucks, a beer garden, and some serious Lowcountry tailgating. Be sure to check out the best hat, best-dressed and best tailgating competitions. Gates close at 5:00. Admission is $40 general (and a special bonus for the young folks in your Charleston beach house - kids 12 and under don’t need a ticket). There are also VIP options available. Here’s a link with all the info, including online ticket purchasing: https://steeplechaseofcharleston.com/ It’s quite a popular event, and this year they’re expecting 8,000 folks. Look for lots of big hats on the ladies and bowties on the gents. As always, remember to call EP when you are in the market for SC vacation rentals. It would be our pleasure to place you in the perfect beach house Charleston. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger