The following comes from Wikipedia regarding information about Hilton Head Island, SC.

Hilton Head Island or Hilton Head is a resort town (located on an island of the same name) in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is 20 miles (32 km) north of Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles (153 km) south of Charleston. The island features 12 miles (19 km) of beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular vacation destination. In 2004, an estimated 2.25 million visitors pumped more than $1.5 billion into the local economy. The year-round population was 75,504 at the 2000 census, although during the peak of summer vacation season the population can swell to 275,000. Over the past decade, the island’s population growth rate was 32%.

The island has a rich history that started with seasonal occupation by native Americans thousands of years ago, and continued with European exploration and the Sea Island Cotton trade. It became an important base of operations for the Union blockade of the Southern ports during the Civil War. Once the island fell to Union troops, hundreds of ex-slaves flocked to Hilton Head, which is still home to many ‘native islanders’, many of whom are descendants of freed slaves known as the Gullah (or Geechee) who have managed to hold onto much of their ethnic and cultural identity.

The Town of Hilton Head Island incorporated as a municipality in 1983 and is well known for its “eco-friendly” development. The town’s Natural Resources Division enforces the Land Management Ordinance which minimizes the impact of development and governs the style of buildings and how they are situated amongst existing trees. As a result, Hilton Head Island enjoys an unusual amount of tree cover relative to the amount of development. Approximately 70% of the island, including most of the tourist areas, is located inside gated communities. However, the town maintains several public beach access points, including one for the exclusive use of town residents, who have approved several multi-million dollar land-buying bond referendums to control commercial growth.

Hilton Head Island offers an unusual number of cultural opportunities for a community its size, including Broadway-quality plays at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the 120-member full chorus of the Hilton Head Choral Society, the highly-rated Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the largest annual outdoor, tented wine tasting event on the east coast, and several other annual community festivals. It also hosts the Verizon Heritage, a stop on the PGA Tour which is played on the Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort.

Annual Events:

• Gullah Celebration – Although threatened by the rapid increase in tourism, Gullah culture can be seen at the annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration which is held at Shelter Cove Community Park in February. In the summer, the acclaimed Hallelujah Singers present a Gullah concert series at Hilton Head’s Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

• WineFest – The 25th Annual WineFest was held in Shelter Cove Community Park on March 6, 2010. It is the largest outdoor, tented wine tasting on the East Coast, featuring over 1,500 domestic and international wines.

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade – The 24th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on March 11, 2007. Joe Fraser, brother of Charles Fraser and former senior vice president of Sea Pines Plantation Co. was the grand marshal. Over 20,000 people attended the parade, prompting Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner and other officials to question whether the parade might have outgrown its route along Pope Avenue.

• WingFest – The 12th Annual Hargray WingFest was held at Shelter Cove Community Park on March 21, 2007. The event is operated by the Island Recreation Association, and all proceeds benefit the Island Recreation Scholarship Fund.

• HarbourFest – Harbour Fest, now in its 19th season, ran every Tuesday night from June 5 – August 21 at Shelter Cove Marina, featuring arts & crafts, live entertainment, and fireworks at sunset. There is a special HarbourFest celebration on July 4. In addition, “Summertime at Shelter Cove” features five nights of family entertainment by Shannon Tanner, who plays two shows per night, 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

• Verizon Heritage – The 40th Annual Verizon Heritage golf tournament took place April 14–20, 2008, at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort.

• Rib Burnoff & Barbecue Fest – The 10th Annual Rib Burnoff & Barbecue Fest was held May 19, 2007 at Honey Horn Plantation.

• Celebrity Golf Tournament – The 27th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament was held August 31 – September 2, 2007, at the Golf Club at Indigo Run, the Robert Trent Jones course in Palmetto Dunes, and Harbour Town Golf Links. To date the tournament has contributed over $2,785,000 to 18 children’s charities.

• FoodFest – FoodFest 2007 took place September 13–16, 2007. FoodFest celebrates the talent of the local hospitality industry and provides attendees with several spectator events including: The Best Bartender Drink Making Contest, The Hospitable Waiter’s Race, and The Tailgate Gourmet Challenge.

• Chili Cookoff – The 23rd Annual Chili Cookoff was held Saturday, October 6, 2007, at 12:00 p.m. at Honey Horn Plantation.

• Community Festival – The 7th Annual Community Festival took place Friday, October 19–20, 2007, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Honey Horn Plantation. It featured a “haunted trail” in the “haunted forest” presented by the Hilton Head Rotary Club and the Interact Clubs from Hilton Head High School and Hilton Head Prep.

• Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival – The 6th Annual Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, featuring world-class vintage and antique autos, Italian sports cars and American muscle cars from all over the country was held November 1–4, 2007, at Honey Horn Plantation.

• The Dove Street Festival of Lights – Started in 1990, takes place each December. More than 50 homes on Dove street decorate with holiday lights and the Glee Club of the Miami University of Ohio serenades residents with holiday songs. Town volunteers collect donations of money, food and toys at the festival that are given to The Deep Well Project, a local charity.