CALENDAR:  Celebrating the Fourth of July

Staff reports  |  There are endless ways to celebrate the nation’s independence Thursday, ranging from cheering the annual Salute from the Shore flyover along the coast (about 1:10 p.m. to 1:24 p.m. along the Charleston County coast) to enjoying fireworks, which can be watched during celebrations at Patriots Point, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, North Charleston, Summerville, Folly Beach and Edisto Beach.  We continue to maintain that the best place to see lots of fireworks is someplace up high, such as the round Holiday Inn on the Ashley River in Charleston.  

Here are some of the events from which you can pick:

Knock it out of the park:  You can watch fireworks on July 3 at Joe Riley Park after a minor league baseball game between the Charleston RiverDogs and the Augusta GreenJackets.  Game starts at 6:35 p.m. Buy tickets. 

Daytime historic celebration: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 4, Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston.  Families can spend their Fourth of July at the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Readings of the Declaration and interactive demonstrations will take place throughout the day, including meeting a Revolutionary soldier, colonial drafts, games and a hands-on military drill. Cost is regular admission.  More.

Fireworks dinner cruise: Boards 6:30 p.m., July 4, at Aquarium Wharf, downtown Charleston.  The cruise will last through about 10 p.m.   You can experience the Charleston harbor at her finest while enjoying a grand four-course dinner, a cash bar, live entertainment, dancing and spectacular view of the fireworks from Patriots Point.  Cost: $88 per adult. More info.

Uncle Sam Jam:  Gates open at 7 p.m., July 4, Mount Pleasant Pier, 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd, Mount Pleasant.  Dance to live music from Dave Landeo & The Sol Beats as they perform at the end of the pier.  At the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, stretching 1250 feet out into Charleston Harbor, the scenic Mount Pleasant Pier will be a great spot to view the area’s best fireworks displays and celebrate Independence Day.  Tickets are limited; $10 at gate or buy online.  Beverages will be available for purchase on site; treats and snacks will also be on hand at the pier’s Riverwatch Cafe and Gift Shop. Outside alcohol and coolers are prohibited. 

Celebrate at The Watch:  7 p.m. to 11 p.m., July 4, The Watch at The Restoration hotel, 79 Wentworth St. Charleston.  Enjoy classic barbecue, drinks and live music along with an incredible view of the fireworks. Adult tickets: $75.  More.

Patriots Point Fireworks Blast:  Tickets are sold out to enjoy the July 4 fireworks from aboard the USS Yorktown, but it’s free to watch from the land.  Learn more here.  

Also on the calendar:

Events at the Gaillard.  Check out these awesome coming events at the Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St., Charleston:

How Did This Get Made — LIVE!  7:30 p.m., July 18.  Have you ever seen a movie so bad, it’s good? Paul Scheer (The League, Black Monday), Jason Mantzoukas (The League, Brooklyn 99) and June Diane Raphael (Grace & Frankie, Long Shot) are experts in the best of the worst of cinema. Live episode of the trio’s podcast are a truly unique experience allowing the audience to participate through questions to the hosts, creating impromptu songs for segments and viewing one-of-a-kind clips. Tickets are $38 to $78.

Jennifer Holliday: 4 p.m. Aug. 2.  The Grammy and Tony award-winning singer and actor, Jennifer Holliday, shows her amazing voice for a one-hour singing performance to close out the 2019 Lowcountry Mental Health Conference. She will also be taking time to share her personal story and struggles with depression while talking about the work she is doing to bring awareness to mental health issues. Tickets are $28.

John’s Island Book Sale:  Starts at 9 a.m. on July 26 and 27, John’s Island Regional Library, 3531 Maybank Highway, Johns Island.  John the Charleston Friends of the Library to browse through more than 10,000 gently-used books, CDs, DVDs, and audio books at prices that can’t be beat.More info: www.CharlestonLibraryFriends.org.

Early morning bird walks at Caw Caw:  8:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel.  You can learn about habitats and birds, butterflies and other organisms in this two-hour session.  Registration is not required, but participants are to be 15 and up. $10 per person or free to Gold Pass holders.  More:  http://www.CharlestonCountyParks.com.

AREA MARKETS

TUESDAYS.  The Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the market pavillion at Moultrie Middle School, 645 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant. Free parking.  Lots of activities. More info.

WEDNESDAYS.  The West Ashley Farmers Market is every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Ackerman Park off Sycamore Avenue in West Ashley.  The last week of the market will be the first week of October. More.

FRIDAYS/SATURDAYS:  Night Market.  Every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for the rest of the year, you can shop with 108 vendors, including artists and craftsmen, at the night market on Market Street between East Bay and Church streets.  It’s more than four blocks of local shopping and fun. Free.

SATURDAYS:  Johns Island Farmers Market operates each Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. year-round with more than 50 local farmers and vendors, food trucks, music and more.  The market is located on the campus of Charleston Collegiate School, 2024 Academy Road, Johns Island

SATURDAYS: The Charleston Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Marion Square each Saturday through Nov. 30.  More info.

• If you have an event to list on our calendar, please send it to feedback@charlestoncurrents.com for consideration. The calendar is updated weekly on Mondays.