Sponsors make up for less spectacular fireworks funding from Hilton Head

It's going to be the same old Fourth of July on Hilton Head Island.

With the economy in the shape it is in, that's a good thing.

The island's three fireworks displays will go on as planned and should be comparable to those in the past, organizers said.

All three shows received slightly less town funding this year than organizers would have liked, but they were able to make up the difference through sponsorships, such as the merchants associations and resorts that benefit from all the foot traffic.

The shows begin around dusk, but it's best to arrive early to find a parking spot and make the trek to a good viewing location.

Harbour Town

For more than 30 years, residents and visitors have packed into Harbour Town and onto the famed 18th hole of the Harbour Town Golf Links to watch fireworks launched from a barge in Calibogue Sound.

"It's a pretty large endeavor, but we look forward to it every year," said Sea Pines activities director Cary Corbitt.

Festivities at Harbour Town kick off hours before the fireworks and include a Gregg Russell performance leading up the 20-minute display.

On the financial side, the Harbour Town Merchants Association -- sponsor of the fireworks -- asked for $12,500 from the town's two-percent sales tax on overnight lodging, but received only $7,625.

In past years, they've received about $8,000.

The event costs about $33,300 to conduct, including expenses such as shuttle buses, parking lot attendants and extra security.

Shelter Cove

Shelter Cove has put on weekly fireworks for the past 21 summers, including big ones on Independence Day, which draw 7,000 to 10,000 spectators. The Fourth of July show is much larger than the ones on Tuesday nights, lasting 20 to 30 minutes.

The fireworks will be preceded by a festival around Shelter Cove Harbour, including two performances by Shannon Tanner.

This year, the Shelter Cove Harbour Co. asked for $35,000 from the town to help pay for the weekly festival's $105,300 price tag. Organizers received $7,625 -- about the same amount received in 2008.

HarbourFest on July 4 costs about $18,000 to put on.

Skull Creek

This year is the 25th since fireworks were first launched from Skull Creek, near Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks.

It's the only island display with its own soundtrack, this time a collection of chart-toppers from 1984 (the first year of the event) broadcast on 107.9 FM.

The 17-minute fireworks show costs about $19,000, about $7,600 of which is paid by the town.

"We couldn't do this thing without the town," said organizer Brian Carmines, owner of Hudson's. "Our grant was spot on with the past couple of years and our sponsors are right here with us again."