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 27th Annual WineFest was held in Shelter Cove Community Park.   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 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in 2012.  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 17th Annual Hargray WingFest was held at Shelter Cove Community Park. The event is operated by the Island Recreation Association, and all proceeds benefit the Island Recreation Scholarship Fund.

• HarbourFest – Harbour Fest, runs 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.

• RBC Heritage – The Annual Verizon Heritage golf tournament took place April 9 –15, 2012, at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort.

• Rib Burnoff & Barbecue Fest – The 15th Annual Rib Burnoff & Barbecue Fest is coming May 19th 2012 at Honey Horn Plantation.

• Chili Cookoff – Scheduled for October 6, 2012, from alligator to chicken to possum along with the more traditional fixins, you will find a bit of everything at the Chili Cookoff.   There are two types of judging for the competition.  First, the general public is allowed to vote for the best chili in both professional and amateur categories. A group of honorable judges determine the best chili in a separate judging.

• Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival – The 11th 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 is to be held November, at Honey Horn Plantation.  CARS!