Pssst….

Want to know a secret?  Promise you won’t tell a soul?  Okay, here it is…

Our favorite time on the Island isn’t summer.  We think the best time to experience Hilton Head is in the Fall!

Now, we may not be that attractive to the “leaf watchers” but if you are looking for almost empty beaches (yes, you can still swim in the ocean), beautiful weather (think little or no humidity), and amazing deals on lodging and dining, then I suggest you pencil in a few days on Hilton Head Island.

And while you are here, check out one of the many festivals and events that occur in the Fall including:

• Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival in mid-October
• Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance in late October
• Music To Your Mouth in mid-November

See you soon!

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

Sharing A Little Love

We’d like to share a little love with our events division – Sea Star Events.

Our events group has been busy producing creative and unique celebrations throughout the Lowcountry this summer and we’d like to take this opportunity to showcase one of their recent destination weddings…

Wedded Bliss at Harbour Town

The Harbour Town Yacht Club is one of our favorite venues on the Island.  With views of the Yacht Basin, Daufuskie Island, and the Calibogue Sound, what’s not to love?  Our bride and groom, Lindsay & Brian from Arlington Heights, Illinois, agreed and selected it as the venue for both their ceremony and reception.

Carl Schroeder of Weddings By The Sea officiated the rooftop ceremony and Monica Jenks, The Wedding Violinist, played as Lindsay walked down the aisle.  The two exchanged vows with the Harbour Town Lighthouse as the backdrop in a scene that could only be described as quintessentially Hilton Head.

After the ceremony, the entire wedding party joined Brian and Lindsay for photos at the Liberty Oak Tree.  Our bride and groom then took pictures with their immediately family as well as portraits around the Harbour Town Yacht Basin.

The reception took place in the fourth floor Club Room as well as the on rooftop deck.  Guests enjoyed some of Lindsay and Brian’s favorite foods and a few Lowcountry specialties while sipping Mojitos, the signature drink, from “Buccarelli’s Bar.”  A key lime cake topper as well as key lime and wedding cake flavored cupcakes from Sweet Carolina Cupcakes were perched high above a chandelier tier.  Lindsay and Brian made sure that there were more than enough of both flavors so their guests could pick their favorite.

Since the bride and groom are both teachers at the same high school, we paid homage to their professions by featuring green apples throughout the event – using them as place cards, centerpieces, and props.

Meredith Barouth of Island Love Photography captured the day’s festivities for the happy couple…

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

Lighting Up The Sky On The 4th of July!

Hilton Head Island will be ooohing and aaaahing over three different fireworks displays that will light up the night sky on July 4th! Pick the one closest to you and get there early for a good seat – just remember to bring your patience for what may be a long drive home.

On the North End…Fireworks will be launched from a barge in the Intracoastal Waterway/Skull Creek around 9:30pm. All the usual suspects – Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, Chart House and Skull Creek Boathouse – will welcome you to participate in their festivities but we think the best spot in on the Skull Creek Marina Pier inside the gates of Hilton Head Plantation.  Unfortunately, you need to live there or know some one who does in order to access the marina.

Mid-Island…Shannon Tanner will be belting out a few patriotic tunes at his 6:30 and 8:00pm shows at Shelter Cove’s HarbourFest. A fireworks display will begin right after dusk.  Park and walk is our recommendation for this venue.

On the South End…Sea Pines will celebrate the 4th at Harbour Town. Pay the $5 gate fee and you can enjoy children’s activities, live music and a fireworks display which will begin about 9:15pm from a barge in Calibogue Sound.  A free shuttle service will be offered between Harbour Town and various parking lots in the Sea Pines Resort just be prepared to sit a spell for the return trip.

If you decide to make your own fun, think twice – town ordinances prohibit the launch or discharge of fireworks within town limits and specifically from the beach.

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

A Little Night Music

Spend June  29th under the stars at Shelter Cove Park listening to the patriotic tunes played by Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra’s Low Country Brass.  “American Salute” will celebrate all things American from apple pie to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

Food and beverage will be available on-site. Gate opens at 6:00 pm, concert begins at 7:00 pm.  Tickets are $20 a person and must be purchased in advance at the Orchestra’s website.  Children are admitted for free.

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

No, it’s not Christmas!  It’s May and that means the arrival of the Kiwanis Club Rib Burn-Off on Hilton Head Island!

The annual Rib Burn-Off will take place on May 14 at Honey Horn where hundreds of BBQ fans will come to taste some of the South’s finest pulled pork and ribs.

Professionals and amateur teams camp out overnight “smoking” up a storm for the hungry masses in hopes of winning a trophy but importantly bragging rights.

Grab your tickets for $12 each at Burke’s Pharmacy or the Coastal Discovery Museum and we’ll see you there!

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

We Have A Winner!!!!

Congratulations to Brandt Snedeker – the 2011 Heritage Golf Classic Champion!

Snedeker got his plaid on and came from behind to beat Luke Donald in a playoff, denying Donald a No. 1 ranking.

Snedeker not only got his very own plaid jacket, he also left Hilton Head Island with an extra $1,026,000.

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

 

Got Your Plaid On?

Hilton Head’s annual homage to all things plaid takes place April 18-24, 2011 when the Heritage Golf Tournament takes over Sea Pines’ Harbour Town Golf Links.

While the actual tournament begins on Thursday, arrive a few days to enjoy all the festivities leading up to the big event including:

• On Monday, check out the Opening Ceremonies on the 18th green.
• Tuesday, the ladies take to the links as part of the PGA Tour Wives Golf Classic – a 9 hole tournament played on the OCean Course.  Local tip: Check out their caddies – if you are a big golf fan, they will look VERY familiar!!
• Got kids? Then bring them to the Coca-Cola Youth Day Putting Contest on Wednesday for an experience they will never forget.

Don't have tickets yet?  No problem, you can order them online at The Heritage web site @ http://www.theheritagegolfsc.com/

You may remember that our little Island tourney made big news last year when Jim Furyk defeated Brian Davis in a sudden death playoff after Davis called a two-shot penalty on himself after he touched a loose impediment (aka a piece of sea grass) in a hazard with his golf club.  As a result, Furyk wound up sporting the plaid jacket at the winner’s circle.

The Heritage is without a title sponsor this year so if you know a large corporation in search of a fabulous golf event which over 135,000 attend, is nationally broadcast, and one of only five tournaments granted “invitational” status from the PGA Tour, please feel free to drop us a line.

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

All Your Eggs In One Basket?

The Easter Bunny is back on Hilton Head Island and he’s planning multiple days of fun for everyone so grab your basket and join us for the best Easter Egg Hunts the South Carolina lowcountry has to offer!

April 14th-23rd – The Easter Bunny will be bopping around Holiday Farms in Ridgeland, SC.  Take a hay-filled wagon ride to The Egg Patch, ride around Haytona Speedway with your friends, and meet a couple of the Bunny’s favorite farm animals.  $8.00 per person, includes all activities, wagon ride to the Easter Patch and 1 dozen toy and candy filled eggs for all children 17 and under. For more information, visit http://www.holidayfarmssc.com/egghunt.htm and don’t forget your empty egg carton.

Saturday, April 16 @ 10am – It’s the self-proclaimed largest easter egg hunt in the lowcountry! Simultaneous Egg Hunts are scheduled at Hilton Head High School and Bluffton High School. For more information, visit http://www.lowcountrycc.org/events

Saturday, April 16 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Didn’t get enough eggs at the today’s earlier hunt?  Join us for the Easter Eggstravaganza at Shelter Cove Community Park.  Festivities include an Easter Egg Hunt, inflatable rides, music, face painting and more. Plus all proceeds benefit the Island Rec. Center’s Children’s Scholarship Fund. Admission is $10 per child and includes activities, free for adults. Visit islandreccenter.org for details.

Saturday, April 23 @ 10am: It’s your last chance to party with the Bunny!  It’s the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at The Salty Dog Café in South Beach Marina Village.  Prizes and candy for the kids from Jake the Salty Dog and the Easter Bunny, face painting and children‘s entertainment. Check out saltydog.com to learn more.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

Sip and Swirl More Than 400 Wines!

Did you know our little island paradise boasts the largest public outdoor wine tasting event on the East Coast?

It’s true!  This Saturday, March 12, you are cordially invited to sample your choice of more than 400 wines as part of Hilton Head Island’s Wine & Food Festival’s Public Tasting.  The festivities begin at noon and run until 4pm at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn Plantation on the North End of the Island.  Tickets are available at the door for $40 and the event occurs rain or shine – lucky for us, the forecast calls for sun and temps near 70 degrees!

Not only will you get to walk around with a wine glass in hand, you can walk home with tons of goodies from the live and silent auctions, learn how to cook at the outdoor gourmet pavilion, and check out the waiter races and the bartenders challenge.

What more could you ask for on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the South Carolina Lowcountry?

For more information, visit the official website at http://www.hiltonheadwineandfood.com

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com

Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in the South and it doesn’t matter whether you are Italian, Greek, or Indian because everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day – or in this case, on or around March 17th.

Hilton Head Island is no exception.  This year, green blood (or beer) pours through all our veins on March 13th when the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade hits the streets around Coligny Circle.  The parade kicks of at 3pm but you’d do yourself a favor by arriving early and, trust me on this one, park as far away from the parade route as possible if you’d like your commute home to be less than two hours.  Walking is the key to success in this situation.

Please keep in mind that Hilton Head is a family-friendly island and so is our parade. Green beer is allowed in designated areas only.  Rumor has it that you can get hit with a fine of $1,000 if “the man” finds you consuming an adult beverage outside of the permitted zone.

As for the kids, well, what’s a parade without handfuls of candy being thrown from passing cars?  Parents be forewarned, hundreds of children experiencing a sugar high at the same can be slightly overwhelming.  Should this happen, relocate quickly to the designated green beer area.

Parade Route – The parade route starts at Coligny Circle onto Pope Ave, turns at Office Park Road and then ends at Park Plaza.

Sea Star Concierge — Making Paradise Possible on Hilton Head Island         843-682-2225   www.seastarconcierge.com