HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) - Hilton Head Island is preparing to light up the night sky as it hosts its annual Lantern Parade.
The event will showcase hundreds of colorful lanterns designed by residents, visitors, schools, local organizations and acclaimed lantern artist Chantelle Rytter.
The parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23., from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The route will follow north along the Beach from Alder Lane to Coligny Beach Park and continue along North Forest Beach Drive to Avocet and Lagoon roads.
Limited parking will be available for the event. Spots can be found at:
- First Baptist Church (100 S. Forest Beach Drive)
- St. Luke’s Church (50 Pope Avenue)
- USCB Hilton Head Island campus (1 Sand Shark Drive)
- The Coligny Beach parking lot.
A shuttle will be available from 4:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at USCB to take spectators to and from the parade.
Spectators can watch along the beach between Alder Lane and Coligny Beach Park, along North Forest Beach Drive, Avocet Lane, Lagoon Road, or enjoy the finale at Lowcountry Celebration Park.
For a safe and enjoyable experience, please observe the following rules:
- Follow the instructions of all Town of Hilton Head Island staff, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office deputies, security officers, and volunteers.
- Please keep the parade route clear.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please do not walk through or stand on the dunes.
- Spectators can bring their dogs to the parade. But, for the safety of participants, dogs are not allowed to walk in the parade.
- You can ride your bike to the parade, but you are not allowed to ride it in the parade.
Rules to participate are as follows:
- All participants need to have a lantern to march in the parade.
- No passing or crowding of the bands.
- Please follow the directions of volunteers and marshals.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Yield space to the large lanterns.
- No bicycles.
- Please leave your pets at home.
- No flaming (these are outlawed in the state) or flying lanterns.
Four bands will participate in the festivities - the Black Sheep Ensemble, Soda City Band, the United States Marine Corps Dirty Boots Brass Band and the Atlanta Drum Academy.
Food trucks will be onsite, with Lowcountry Fresh serving at 12 p.m. and Peculiar Pig starting at 1 p.m.
For additional information on the Lantern Parade, click here.