Don't wait until Independence Day to celebrate! Join Georgetown County's 250 Committee this weekend in celebrating the 249th anniversary of when South Carolina Patriots defeated a British fleet in Charleston harbor. The celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28 in Francis Marion Park.

On June 28, 1776, a heavily outnumbered and outgunned band of determined heroes on Sullivan's Island repulsed a powerful British invasion force to score the American's first major victory in the Revolutionary War.

The hastily built fortification on the south end of Sullivan's Island was constructed with Palmetto logs and sand which repelled most of the cannonballs fired from King George's heavily armed ships in Charleston harbor. 

Sgt. William Jasper inspired his fellow patriots when he recovered the South Carolina flag after it had been shot from its staff and, in the face of deadly fire, attached it to a cannon's sponge staff and remounted it upon the walls of the fort.

It was from this battle 85 years later when our present state flag was designed incorporating the Palmetto tree and crescent on a field of Indigo blue.

This Saturday, June 28, Georgetown will celebrate Carolina Day beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Francis Marion Park followed by a walk down the Harborwalk to Rainey Park to view the Charters of Freedom display. Participants are asked to dress in patriotic clothing and bring a state flag. The celebration is sponsored by the Georgetown County 250 Committee, the Carolina Gold and Winyah Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Thomas Lynch Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Area church bells along with Georgetown’s town clock will gong at noon to celebrate and mark the time.

The Georgetown County 250 Committee also asks that all area residents fly their Palmetto State flags.

For more information, please contact Corinne Hoch at 201-452-0270, Ken Baeszler at 704-617-5045 or Paige Sawyer at 843-546-3745.