‘Wave That Flag’ Festival set for July 6 to celebrate American independence

‘Wave That Flag’ Festival set for July 6 to celebrate American independence

PAWLEYS ISLAND – For those looking to extend their patriotic festivities beyond July 4th, the 3rd Wave That Flag Festival may just fit the bill.

Wave That Flag, now in its third year, features a laser-light show that will light up the sky on Sunday, July 6. The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Retreat Park, located at 633 Wildcat Way in the Litchfield community of Pawleys Island.

After garnering rave reviews in its first two years, the third Wave That Flag Festival will feature a Bocce Ball tournament, live music, vendors, and food trucks, culminating in the spectacular laser-light show produced by Stone Entertainment and sponsored by South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce.

The free festival is hosted by the Georgetown County Parks and Rec Department and coordinated by VibeTime.

“We invite the community out to enjoy a free evening that is family friendly and won’t break the bank,” said VibeTime’s Blaine Harvey, who has organized the event every year. “This will be an affordable event with a wow factor for local families and tourists visiting the Hammock Coast from all over the United States.”

Bocce Ball games start at 6 p.m. Face painters and other artists will also be set up for the public to enjoy.

The Bocce Ball tournament will feature pre-registered teams and last-minute signups during the festival. Kickball games will also be held for children to enjoy during the festival. To pre-register for Bocce Ball, go to the Wave That Flag Facebook page for details.

The music portion of the festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. when local band Channel Bluff hits the stage for an hour-long set. The band is made up of Evan Grove on bass guitar and vocals; Bryson Grove on lead guitar; Harrison Props on bass, guitar and vocals; and Jack Thomson on drums.

Next up, performing from 7:30-8 p.m., will be JP Taylor, who’s described as a “multi-instrumentalist.”

The headliner will be Elise Testone and her Psychedelic Soul Party, hitting the stage from 8-8:50 and then performing what organizers describe as a “patriotic rock ’n’ roll set” synched to the laser light show from 9-9:45 p.m.

A powerhouse vocalist, Testone, who finished sixth in the 2012 season of “American Idol,” is the perfect combination of soul, rock, attitude and restraint. Equally as impressive and at ease belting James Brown style vocals over a relentless funk groove as she is resting her voice gently over a ballad, Testone’s range of influences and vocal capacity know few limits.

She grew up in New Jersey but has local ties as she graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a vocal performance degree. She came of age as a professional performer and private educator in Charleston, becoming one of the most seasoned and well-respected musicians in town. At the age of 27, she had her American Idol break.

Since American Idol, Testone has toured extensively, released several albums and appeared on popular TV programs such as The Tonight Show, Good Morning America and others.

The laser show will beam over the heads of festival-goers, creating a dazzling display featuring music and multiple fog machines that will create the appearance of a roof overhead, enhancing the visual experience for attendees.

Blaine said organizers and sponsors want to create one last special event for the Independence Day weekend.

“We don’t want all the fun to end on the Fourth of July,” he said. “We will have a lot of local and regional vendors, allowing people to enjoy dinner and local craft beers. People will really enjoy the line up of musicians, too. The gates open at 6 p.m., and bands hit the stage at 6:30 p.m., all leading up to the laser light show that Stone Entertainment does so well. It’s a fun night to complete the holiday weekend.”

Blaine said the laser light show will begin approximately at 9, when the sun goes down.

The laser light show will be the third time the light-and-music experience has been held on the Hammock Coast, the first being a Fourth of July-themed event in 2023 and the second in September 2024 as part of Labor Day festivities after being delayed from its original Fourth of July weekend date.

“The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and the Hammock Coast are pleased to sponsor the laser show once again for Wave That Flag,” said Chamber CEO and President Beth Stedman. “It’s a pleasure to work with the Georgetown County Parks and Rec team to make this event happen for both local residents and visitors to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”

In addition to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, additional sponsors for Wave That Flag include: the Dieter Co., Grayman Climate Control, Inlet Eye Associates, Local Eat Drink Celebrate, New South Brewing, Our Marsh Counts, Scooter’s Coffee, Southern Flavor Magazine, Tabor Roofing and Remodeling, and Widespread Properties.

About South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®

Georgetown County’s casual charm and Southern hospitality earned it the nickname of the Hammock Coast. Adventure and relaxation blend together in perfect harmony, like the flowing and ebbing of waves on the county’s famed beaches. With six communities – southern Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, Georgetown and Andrews – comprising the pristine coastal area between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, visitors can experience South Carolina’s Hammock Coast like never before.

About the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce

Since 1917, the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce has served as a community connector working to build a strong, vibrant region through business, tourism, and leadership development. The Chamber is the largest business membership organization in Georgetown County with nearly 700 members. The Chamber serves as Georgetown County’s official Designated Marketing Organization for tourism, as well as for the Town of Pawleys Island. For more information about the Hammock Coast, visit www.HammockCoastSC.com. For more information about the Chamber, go to www.VisitGeorge.com.

“We will have a lot of local and regional vendors, allowing people to enjoy dinner and local craft beers,” Harvey said. “The gates open at 5 p.m. and bands hit the stage at 6 p.m.”

He said they will start the Laser Light show when the sun goes down.

Kickball games start at 6 p.m. with a field for tournament play and a field dedicated to kids open play. Face painters and other artists will also be there vending.

The Laser Light Show will be the third time the light-and-music experience has been held on the Hammock Coast, the first being a Fourth of July-themed event in 2023 and the second in September 2024.

“The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and the Hammock Coast are pleased to sponsor this Laser Light Show to celebrate the end of summer,” said Beth Stedman, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “It’s a pleasure to work with the Georgetown County Parks and Rec team to make this event happen for both local residents and visitors to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”

For more information about all of the Hammock Coast, visit www.HammockCoastSC.com. For more information about the Chamber, go to www.VisitGeorge.com.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®