OnGoing:
Hunting Island State Park is located just 16 miles east of the historic town of Beaufort and is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in South Carolina. This 5,000 acre park and it’s 3 miles of natural beach hosts more than a million visitors a year. It’s a place where you can truly find yourself again. It’s a place where humans and nature have always seem to co-exist. Park Hours: Monday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time). Park Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Park Admissions Fee – cost per person: Adults: $5, SC Seniors, $3.25, Children 6-15, $3, Children 5 & Under, Free. huntingisland.com.

OnGoing:
Sea Island School for the Arts, the school district’s gifted & talented summer camp is registering now! (843) 322-5439 or (843) 322-5930.

OnGoing:
Artists learn, teach, share and create at ARTworks. Classes registering for all ages and a compelling variety of media. ARTworks Community Art Center, Theatre & Gallery, 2127 Boundary St. (843-379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

OnGoing:
The Parris Island Museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Family and Graduation Days. Explore the long, rich legacy of the Marine Corps, as well as the exciting history of the Port Royal region. Admission is free. The public is welcome to visit Parris Island, access may be dependent upon current security needs. A driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance and registration are required. Boulevard de France. (843) 228-3650 or mcrdpi.usmc.mil.

OnGoing:
The Historic Hunting Island Llighthouse was originally constructed in 1859 and is the only lighthouse in the state of South Carolina that is open to the public. From the top platform, for those who are adventurous enough to climb the 167 step spiral staircase, one truly can get a birds eye view of the Atlantic Ocean, the park and surrounding marshes from about 132 feet above the ground. Lighthouse Fees & Hours: $2 per person, from 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. daily March-October, and until 3:45 p.m. November-February. During inclement weather, it may be closed. huntingisland.com/lighthouse.htm.

OnGoing:
The Verdier House Museum in Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District is open for tours, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Guided tours are available by appointment. 801 Bay St. (843) 379-6335 or historicbeaufort.org.

OnGoing:
Daily tours of Bluffton’s Rose Hill Mansion, a Gothic Revival-style home built circa 1858 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Reservations required. 199 Rose Hill Way. (843) 757-6046 or rosehillmansion.com.

OnGoing:
Gullah Heritage Trail Tours depart from the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, Tuesday-Sunday. Experience the Gullah culture of Hilton Head Island on a two-hour tour of 10 neighborhoods established during the Civil War. Reservations required. 70 Honey Horn Dr. (843) 681-7066 or gullaheritage.com.

OnGoing:
Self-Guided Tours of the Hunting Island Lighthouse, South Carolina’s only publicly accessible historic lighthouse dating from the 1870s, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Lighthouse admission is $2. Hunting Island State Park also offers a variety of Barrier Island educational programs for all ages throughout the year, such as “Beach Explorations,” “A Walk in the Woods“ and “Salt Marsh Kayaking.” Call the Nature Center for details and reservations. 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. (843) 838-7437 or southcarolinaparks.com.

Mondays:
Beaufort Belles Women’s Chorus, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Sea Island Presbyterian Church choir room, 81 Lady’s Island Dr. New members welcome. (843) 838-2643.

Mondays:
Beaufort Harbormasters, 6:45 p.m., Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Dr. beaufortharbormasters.org.

Tuesdays:
Classic Car & Truck Club of Beaufort official monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Lady’s Island Country Club on Lady’s Island. info@classicsofbeaufort.org.

Second Tuesday:
Beaufort Writers meeting, 4:30-6 p.m. Lady’s Island Airport. (843) 524-9119.

Wednesdays & Saturdays:
Beaufort Shag Club, 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8-11 p.m. on Saturdays. Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Rd. $25 and must register for lessons. (843) 812-3486 or beaufortshagclub.com.

Wednesdays:
Time for Tots, Story Time and Crafts! Come enjoy some special time with your child(ren) ages 3-5 as we do a wide variety of things. We may read a book, watch a movie, do some seasonal related arts and crafts or maybe go out on the boardwalk to catch a view of a dragonfly or a turtle. 10–11:30 a.m. $5 per child (adults are free). Old Santee Canal Park, off of U. S. 52 By-pass (R. C. Dennis Blvd.) in Moncks Corner. (843) 899-5200 or oldsanteecanalpark.org.

Wednesdays:
Downtown Beaufort Farmers Market! 3-7 p.m. West Street. Join us each week and visit Area Farmers & Growers. Live Entertainment. Cooking Demonstrations by local Chefs. Each week, a local non-profit organization will be selling soft drinks and water. (843) 525-6644 or downtownbeaufort.com/farmers-market.

Thursdays:
Handbuilding with Clay, instructor Trevor Foster. 6 sessions, May 23-June 27. 10 a.m.-Noon. Wheelthrown Pottery, instructor Trevor Foster. 5 sessions, May 23-June 27. Day Class 1:15-3:15 p.m. Evening Class 6-8 p.m. $125 plus $25 per 25lbs of clay. Registration, thealligatorhunter@hotmail.com or (803) 707-5961. ARTworks Community Art Center, Theatre & Gallery, 2127 Boundary St. (843-379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

Fridays:
Jasper County Farmers Market! 1–6 p.m. 9935 Smart Blvd., Ridgeland. Everyone welcome! (843) 717-3690 or jaspercountysc.org.

Fridays:
Farmers Market at Habersham Marketplace! 4–7 p.m. The Farmer’s Market complete with local and regional growers, as well as arts, crafts and specialty food vendors. Family friendly and children’s activities will also be offered. Everyone welcome! HabershamMarketplace.com.

Saturdays:
Pick Pocket Plantation Farmers Market! 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Located in Beaufort across from Regions Bank on Route 170 (Robert Smalls Parkway). Look for the big red antique tractor! (203) 417-7512 or pickpocketplantation.com/farmersmarket.

Saturdays:
Port Royal Farmers Market! 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Located in Heritage Park on Ribaut Road by the Naval Hospital. South Carolina Produce, Seafood, Beef, Cheese, Honey, Flowers & Live Music. portroyalfarmersmarket.com.

Saturdays:
Lunch and Learn Series presented by the Lowcountry Master Gardeners Association, The Gazebo at the Farmer’s Market, Heritage Park, Port Royal. 12:00 noon-1 p.m. Free, just bring a folding chair. lowcountrymga.org/.

Sundays:
3 on 3 Basketball at Habersham Park Basketball Court, 13 Market! Lace up those high tops and bring your team! 5-7 p.m. Free! All ages and levels welcome! If you have a team or are you looking for teammates, email info@habershammarketplace.com.

May 1 – 31:
A Beaufort family’s private collection of silhouettes of southern life and lands by early 20th century lowcountry artist Carew Rice will open at the Verdier House, 801 Bay St. Historic Beaufort Foundation is the exclusive venue for this personal collection which has never been shown in its entirety. In addition to featuring Rice’s work and a display of his scissors and family memorabilia, the exhibit will include a program and cutting demonstration by Clay Rice, Carew’s grandson, who inherited the skilled artistry of his grandfather. Admission is free for HBF members and children and $10 per non-member. Isabella Reeves, (843) 379-3331 or Sandy Patterson, (843) 379-6335.

May 1 – 11:
Step Right Up! – The Sideshow in America will celebrate the work of Rebecca Davenport a Beaufort-based visual artist, who exhibited her work at the Beaufort Museum in the Arsenal in 2008. The Sideshow in America will celebrate her work in the larger context of carnival culture through an exploration of the sideshow as cultural phenomenon during the late 19th century and continuing through the 21st century at the McKissick Museum, 813 Bull Street on the University of South Carolina Columbia campus. The museum, is the largest university museum in the Southeast, and houses collections in material culture, decorative arts, natural sciences, history and fine arts. (803) 777-7251 for daily hours.

May 3 – 4:
A Taste of Beaufort! Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Historic Downtown Beaufort. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Experience the essence of beautiful Beaufort! Food-Wine-Music-Fun-Craft Market-5K Run/Walk. Bring the family downtown to enjoy traditional and innovative food choices being offered by our local restaurants. Sample the many different ‘tastes’ of Beaufort! Food and drink vendors will accept tickets that you can purchase at the ticket booths for $1 each. Items will be sold for 2-7 tickets. Live music will be provided on the Pavilion Stage and children’s activities, which include Jumpers and slides, will be located near the playground area. Also be sure to visit the Arts & Crafts Market. downtownbeaufort.com.

May 3 – 4:
The Sea Island Quilters Southern Comforts Quilt Show 2013, at the Green Street Gym in Beaufort. This show’s raffle quilt, Stars in the Garden, was pieced by Ginger Smith, Mary Campbell, Catherine Kelleher and Denise Nierstedt.(843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 4:
Celebrate with the quiltmakers at the Beaufort Modern Quilt Guild’s party at ARTworks, 6 to 8 p.m., open to the public. ARTworks, 2127 Boundary St. (843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 4:
Will of a Woman: Rebecca Folsom in concert at ARTworks Blackbox Theatre, 2127 Boundary St., 7:30 p.m. “Her songs hit like little earthquakes, Rebecca shares a blues bent and a vocal prowess of Susan Tedeschi.” — Westword Magazine. Tickets are $17 per person, $12 for students (13+), $7 for children (12 and under) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. (843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 4:
Parris Island Historical & Museum Society presents Iron Mike Bike Tour of Historic Parris Island. The Iron Mike Bike Tour is 15 scenic miles and takes riders on a 16-stop tour of Parris Island’s history including several archaeological sites, colonial plantation site and military historic sites. At some of the stops along the way, museum representatives will be available to discuss the rich history and culture of MCRD Parris Island. The tour is self guided and starts at the Parris Island Museum, Bldg. 111. Directions will be available at the Gate. Rest stops are available along the route. Riders can begin at their leisure between 9 a.m. & noon. Free and open to the public. A driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance are required to access the base. (843) 228-2951 or tjscanlon222@hotmail.com.

May 10:
Beaufort is America’s Happiest Seaside Town! Smile – it’s official! In honor of officially being named “America’s Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living, the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting a celebratory party at the Arsenal Courtyard on Thursday, from 3 to 5 p.m. The party will include complimentary food and drink, plus giveaways for attendees. To view the Coastal Living article that will appear in June’s issue, visit: coastalliving.com.

May 10:
Simply Grand Band Mother’s Day concert at ARTworks Blackbox Theatre, 2127 Boundary St., 7:30 p.m. “Her songs hit like little earthquakes, Rebecca shares a blues bent and a vocal prowess of Susan Tedeschi.” — Westword Magazine. Tickets are $17 per person, $12 for students (13+), $7 for children (12 and under) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. (843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 11:
The 35th annual Bluffton Village Festival coordinated by The Rotary Club of Bluffton will be held Mother’s Day weekend in Old Town Bluffton. The festival, commonly known as Mayfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the art, music, food, The Ugly Dog Contest, kids’ activities and a chance to meet old friends and new ones! Admission is FREE. (843) 815-2277 or blufftonvillagefestival.com.

May 14:
Tanger Outlets, Hilton Head will host a Career Fair from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. As the busy summer season approaches, our stores are looking to hire for a variety of positions including Store Manager, Assistant Manager, Keyholder and Sales Associates, full time and part time. Twenty-one stores representing a wide range of retail categories will be set up in the lounge for three to six hour periods throughout the day to share information about their brand and positions available as well as to distribute/accept applications and schedule interviews with qualified candidates. No reservation is necessary to attend. Shopper Services Lounge, Tanger 1 Outlet Center Hilton Head, 1256 Fording Island Road, Bluffton SC 29910.

May 16:
The Beaufort County Historical Society is pleased to announce that the Annual Meeting – elections – Penelope Holmes Parker will discuss the recent discovery of the identity of the Unknown Confederate Soldier at the Beaufort National Cemetery. Noon. The meeting will be held at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club off of Meridian Rd. on Lady’s Island. This meeting is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Pamela Ovens-President, (843) 785-2767 or sail@singlestar.us or beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

May 16:
“A Night for the Children” Family Promise’s 3rd annual fundraising gala featuring entertainment, Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, silent and live auction, 6-9 p.m. Auctions will end at 8 p.m. or before. Hampton Hall Clubhouse. $50 per person. Last year’s event was so much fun and we plan on this year’s event to be even more fun! (843) 815-4211 to reserve your tickets or familypromisebeaufortcounty.org.

May 18:
Street Music on Paris Avenue! “The Music of Your Life” by Terry Herron and the Savannah Jazz All Stars. This all-star Quintet features the Lowcountry’s best improvisational musicians, professionals who’ll blow your socks off with great renditions of Blues, Jazz, Big Band Swing, even some Neil Diamond and James Taylor. This community event is a free concert series that is a gift from the Town of Port Royal, produced by ARTworks, the arts council of Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands. 6:30 p.m., bring your chairs and dancing shoes. The rain location is The Shed, adjacent to the street venue, in Old Village Port Royal. ARTworks at (843) 379-2787 or ArtWorksInBeaufort.org.

May 18:
Pickin by the River 2013, Beaufort SC Waterfront Park! All acoustic, Bluegrass, Country and Folk music open jams, stage show, beginner to advanced pickers are welcome. 12-5 p.m. Listeners and pickers welcome, No amps, no alcohol and no drums. If you have a group who are interested in performing, call Pat, (843) 379-9084.

May 18:
17th Annual Rib Burnoff and Barbecue Fest hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, 12-4 p.m. Professional and amateur chefs compete for the certified judges’ and popular vote with live music, kid’s activities and more. Proceeds benefit local children’s charities. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Kiwanis members or at the gate. (843) 689-7219, 342-2076 or hiltonheadkiwanis.com.

May 19:
Annual Parish Picnic, 11:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park! The Parish Picnic is held annually in the spring to celebrate the conclusion of the Sunday School year. Games, face painting, balloons, bubbles, and other activities for the children make this a memorable day for all ages. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of fun, food, and fellowship. Martha Lynn Webb, (843) 524-2383 or Cindy Crowther, (843) 522-1816. The Parish Church of St. Helena, 505 Church St. (843) 522-1712 x 214 or sthelenas1712.org/.

May 19:
9th Annual Hilton Head/Savannah Equestrian Exposition to be Held at Rose Hill Plantation Equestrian Center, Hwy. 278. The Spirit of the Horse remains the theme of the day’s exciting events which include Parade of Breeds, Dressage, Lowcountry Hunt Demonstration, Hunt Chase, Six Bar Jumping, Horse Racing and concluding with a thrilling Polo Match. Gates open at 11 a.m. with exhibitions beginning at 12:30 p.m., capped off by the day’s Polo Match at 2:30 p.m. General admission is $15. Proceeds benefit several charities in the Hilton Head/Savannah communities. Iva Welton, (843) 671-4865 or ivasouth@aol.com or Priscilla Russo, (843) 815-9059 or priscilla.russo@yahoo.com.

May 21:
Learn the Art of Decorative Painting with instructor, Rhonda Smith. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $65, limit 4 students. ARTworks Community Art Center, Theatre & Gallery, 2127 Boundary St. (843-379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 24 – 26:
27th Annual Gullah Festival! The Gullah Festival of South Carolina celebrates and recognizes the history, customs, cultures, language and accomplishments of the African Americans of the Lowcountry. The Festival will be held at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park with additional venues throughout Historic Beaufort. gullahfestival.org.

May 24:
Songs & Stories of the South with Carroll Brown, Big Frank Waddell and Clay Rice at the Blackbox Theater, 2127 Boundary St., 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 per person, $12 for students (13+), $7 for children (12 and under) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. (843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 25 – 26:
5th Annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour, 1 Harbourside Lane, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The artistic media represented includes paintings, life-size sculptures, photographs, glass, wood, jewelry, collage and ceramics. The artists will line Shelter Cove Harbour with their gallery-style display booths transforming this popular waterfront shopping and dining destination into a high-end outdoor art gallery. Admission is free and open to the public. (843) 686-9098 or artfestival.com.

May 25:
For beginners and continuers: Carving & Sculpting Soapstone with Karen Brodie, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Karen Brodie, a second generation stone sculptor, guides and supports you as you explore your artistic side to create truly unique sculpture. ARTworks, 2127 Boundary St. (843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 28:
Learn the Art of Decorative Painting with instructor, Rhonda Smith. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $65, limit 4 students. ARTworks Community Art Center, Theatre & Gallery, 2127 Boundary St. (843-379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.

May 30 – June 2:
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged – back by popular demand, 4 shows only at ARTworks Blackbox Theatre, 2127 Boundary St. “Her songs hit like little earthquakes, Rebecca shares a blues bent and a vocal prowess of Susan Tedeschi.” — Westword Magazine. Tickets are $17 per person, $12 for students (13+), $7 for children (12 and under) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. (843) 379-2787 or beaufortcountyarts.com.