Don’t have a boat? Where to watch Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday
The show must go... er... float on.
Organizers of the popular St. Patrick’s Day parade on Hilton Head Island announced they will hold a boat parade instead of a traditional parade at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Around 745 people on Facebook have marked themselves as “interested” in the event. The route for the boat parade begins at the entrance to Broad Creek on the south end, runs under the Cross Island Bridge and up to Shelter Cove.
But if you don’t have a boat or a plan to convince your buddy to participate, where should you watch the parade?
Event planner Alan Perry had some suggestions.
“I think the best spots would be Fish Camp, Up the Creek or at the entrance to Shelter Cove (Marina),” he told an Island Packet reporter.
Fish Camp on Broad Creek, located off Marshland Road, will be open starting at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The restaurant takes reservations for indoor tables but all outside tables are first come, first served. Part of the large outdoor patio has a roof and faces Broad Creek, where the boats will parade by.
Up the Creek Pub & Grill is also located off Marshland Road. It opens at 11 a.m. and live music will start at noon.
Most of the restaurant’s seating is located outside. Up the Creek doesn’t take reservations.
The parade will also be visible from the Palmetto Bay marina and the boat ramp next to the Cross Island Bridge.
Black Marlin and the Hurricane Bar, located in Palmetto Bay Marina village south of Broad Creek, open at 10 a.m. for brunch.
The restaurant takes reservations.
Carolina Crab Company, located next door, doesn’t open until 3 p.m., according to its Facebook page.
About the boat parade
The boat parade encourages participants to decorate their boats, but says no political demonstrations, logos, flags, T-shirts or decorations will be allowed. The Coast Guard, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources will be there.
The official after-party of the parade will be held at 5 p.m. at Reilley’s Grill and Bar on the south end. Event organizers say the Boston Police Pipe and Drums and the Irish band DEVRI will perform at Reilley’s.
“Since we can’t parade our floats, let’s float our parade,” the event says.
Gloria and Alan LaCoe, who were named Grand Marshals of the canceled 2020 parade, will be Grand Marshals of the boat parade.
“A little change this year. Looking forward to seeing everyone,” Gloria LaCoe wrote on Facebook.
This story was originally published March 13, 2021 at 12:21 PM.
