The Fourth of July Sunshine Festival
In Neptune Park at The Pier
Thursday, July 4 - Saturday, July 6
Juried Arts & Crafts Show • Fun Run
Fabulous Fireworks
Every summer, the Golden Isles
population swells by thousands. It is a
time when visitors come with their
families and friends to enjoy the beach,
the food, and the entertainment -- coastal
style. One of the biggest summer
attractions is the Annual Sunshine
Festival in the Pier Village on St. Simons
Island. It is a tradition among locals and
visitors alike.
The Sunshine Festival was started in
the early 1960s by the local Junior
Chamber of Commerce as a major club
fundraiser. It included the “Dunk –AJaycee”
booth and an air show. There
was a merry go round, a ferris wheel,
and a miniature train that were all
permanent fixtures in Neptune Park until
the 1970s. The “pier”, what locals called
the village then, was the only place in the
area to catch the fireworks on the 4th.
An art and craft show was added later on
and the Pier Village Association
eventually took over the planning and
organization of the event.
Today, in the Golden Isles, there are
numerous venues offering fireworks,
food, and games but the St. Simons
Island Sunshine Festival is still the main
attraction.
This year’s Annual Sunshine Festival
events include a 5K and 1 Mile Run
sponsored by the Golden Isles Track
Club, the Sunshine Festival Art and Craft
Show, the Annual Golf Cart Parade and
entertainment along with a huge
fireworks display on the 4th! The event is
free and open to the public.
Proceeds from the Pier Village
Association Sunshine Festival Art and
Craft Show fund projects that enhance
the appearance and functionality of the
Pier Village. Funds raised by the Golden
Isles Track Club go to local charities.
SPRING 2019 23