Sorry fireworks fans, this Hilton Head tradition is off for the summer.

The sky will be quiet on Tuesday nights this summer: the Shelter Cove firework shows have officially been canceled.

The 32-year tradition in Hilton Head Island’s Shelter Cove area was set to run June 16-Aug. 18. The 11 fireworks shows were canceled due to the inability to limit the crowd size and enforce social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tuesday fireworks typically pack Shelter Cove Community Park with families, and mean busy nights at the restaurants nearby.

“We know many locals and visitors will be disappointed, but at this time, current crowd size limitations prohibit us from doing the event,” said Palmetto Dunes Chief Operating Officer Brad Marra. “There was just no way to maintain social distancing at such popular events. We felt that this was the most responsible direction to take when it comes to protecting our community and our guests.”

Greenwood Development owns both Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove.

“HarbourFest” includes the fireworks shows and nightly entertainment in the Shelter Cove area throughout the summer.

HarbourFest has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society and a Best of Southern Fests by The South magazine, according to a news release.

This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 3:11 PM.

Katherine Kokal

The Island Packet

843-560-9158

Katherine Kokal graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and joined The Island Packet newsroom in 2018. Before moving to the Lowcountry, she worked as an interviewer and translator at a nonprofit in Barcelona and at two NPR member stations. At The Island Packet, Katherine covers Hilton Head Island’s government, environment, development, beaches and the all-important Loggerhead Sea Turtle. She has earned South Carolina Press Association Awards for in-depth reporting, government beat reporting, business beat reporting, growth and development reporting, food writing and for her use of social media.