With only five weeks remain until the start of the Verizon Heritage to be held at Harbour Town Golf Links from April 14-20, 2008, so now is the time to finalize plans and make a reservation. Also, while there why not take advantage of your location and book a Hilton Head golf vacation.

The Verizon Heritage, South Carolina’s only PGA Tour event, is recognized as one of the premier golf tournaments in the country. Played at the famed Harbour Town Golf Links in The Sea Pines Resort since 1969, the event has a rich history in the lowcountry that continues to flourish year after year.

Not only is this tournament played on a world-famous golf course, the Verizon Heritage takes place in one of America’s premier resort areas. The location on the southern tip of Hilton Head Island, The Sea Pines Resort offers one-of-a kind Hilton Head golf packages, accommodations, recreation, sports amenities which is unequaled by any other Tour stop.

Boo Weekley, who won his first PGA Tour tournament here last year, should be back to defend his title. Weekley beat Ernie Els by one stroke to capture the title.

Come and stay with us at one of our Hilton Head rentals during the annual Wine Festival. Savor wine dinners, events, and tasting during Hilton Head Island’s 23rd annual event. The event runs from Wednesday, March 6 through Sunday, March 9 with all sorts of activities and tastings that will please the most distinct palate.

WineFest will provide an opportunity for attendees to taste more than 1,500 domestic and international wines, continuous entertainment and delicious gourmet meals from a few of Hilton Head Island’s best restaurants. You’ll have the chance to meet, talk with, and learn from some of the world’s most knowledgeable wine experts. Tickets are $40 each and include admission into the event, a souvenir wine tasting glass, all entertainment, and all wine tastings.

The festival is the largest outdoor tented wine tasting on the East Coast. On Friday, at the Grand Wine Tasting Event, meet the producers of your favorite wines and try to get them to reveal their wine-making secrets. On Saturday, there’s an outdoor public wine tasting and wine auction that’ll take your breath away with the depth and breadth of the varietals on offer. So, come for a visit, stay in one of the finest Hilton Head rentals, and take your grape knowledge to the next level.

Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration – February 1 – 29, 2008

The 12th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration showcases the arts, crafts, foods and living history of the native island Gullah people. Featured events include the Arts, Crafts and Food Expo, the Traditional Gullah Gospel Extravaganza and more. Hilton Head Island visitors can also submerge themselves in the Gullah culture year round with a visit to De Gullah Creations.

Upcoming Gullah Celebration Events

A Taste of Gullah – Food & Entertainment
Saturday, Feb. 9, Noon – 4 p.m./Admission – Free
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane

A Traditional Gospel Praise Service with Rev. Charles Hamilton & God’s Messengers and The Community All-Stars
Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m./Admission - Donation.
Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 161 Mathews Drive

Arts, Crafts & Food Expo
Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m./Sunday, Feb. 17, Noon – 5 p.m.
Adult $5/Children 3–12 years old, $2. (Each day)
Historic Honey Horn, 100 William Hilton Parkway

De Gullah Playhouse Featuring World Premiere of
Journey to a Spiritual Life
Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m./Admission $15 Adults/$5 Students
Hilton Head High School Performing Arts Center, 70 Wilborn Road

15th Annual Rev. Isaac W. Wilborn, Jr. Scholarship Golf Classic
Saturday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m. /Green Fee: $100.00
Old South Golf Links, 50 Buckingham Drive, Bluffton, SC

De Young GullahYouth Speak Out & Youth Art Exhibit
Saturday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m./Admission - $5
Hilton Head High School Performing Arts Center, 70 Wilborn Road

International Concert Featuring
Mamadou Diabate, Malian Kora Player
Sunday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m./Admission - Adults $15/Students $5
Hilton Head High School Performing Arts Center, 70 Wilborn Road

A Gullah Gospel Extravaganza featuring
Lee Williams & the Spiritual QC’s
Friday, Feb. 29th, Admission $20.00
Hilton Head High School Performing Arts Center, 70 Wilborn Road

Experience the cultural festivities while staying with Hilton Head Rentals and Golf in February 2008

Let Hilton Head Rentals and Golf assist you with dining and entertainment reservations on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2008, at two of the most recommended restaurants on the island. Our Hilton Head Island rentals offer the ideal location to explore the area and enjoy the company of other sports fans for the NFL championship game. Save 20% off the lowest winter rates on select properties, see our website for details.

Part of the Lowery Group of Restaurants, the Boathouse II is hosting a 2008 Super Bowl Party! Sunday, February 3, 5pm to Close. Enjoy Great Food Specials, Drink Specials and a Half Time Raffle! Call for Reservations, 681.3663. Boathouse II has become a Hilton Head Island icon, a local and visitor favorite. Located on Skull Creek just outside the back entrance to Hilton Head Plantation, it has grown into the kind of restaurant that meets everyone’s expectations of what a restaurant on an island, on the water, should be.

The Old Fort Pub is also offering a Super Bowl Sunday Extended Brunch on Sunday, February 3, 11am-3pm. Receive a $25 gift certificate to come back for dinner in the month of February. Please mention this offer when making reservations. Previously featured on The Food Network and in other notable publications, the Old Fort Pub has become a tradition for over 35 years. Guests enjoy Chef Keith Josefiak’s “New Southern” favorites inspired with influences from around the globe.

Spring on Hilton Head Island is a celebration of all things wonderful - food, wine, nature, community, patriotism and more. All month long Hilton Head Island welcomes the Spring season with a series of events, from the ever popular WingFest, where the local bars and restaurants show off their hottest Buffalo wings, to WineFest, which this year celebrates its 20th Anniverary. This is the largest outdoor wine tasting event on the whole of the East coast.

“Springfest” is the name given to a series of island events in March and April, which draw visitors from all over the southeast. It was designed by the Hilton Head hospitality industry to breathe some life into what some consider an off-season time of year. This year Springfest begins with the premiere event, “Winefest”. This event draws thousands of wine lovers from all over and is well known as one of the largest wine events on the east coast. Hundreds of vendors bring their wines and champagnes to be judged by a panel of experts and then tasted by the public. The event is held at Shelter Cove Community Park overlooking the marshes of Broad Creek. A $30 per person fee provides the visitor with three hours of wine education accompanied by music, food and great community atmosphere as well as a souvenir wine glass. It is an incredible event that many visitors to Hilton Head Island look forward to year after year.

Hilton Head Rentals and Golf offers exceptional vacation homes and condos, with ideal locations for enjoying the many Spring Fest events. Visitors return to us year after year to stay at our beach front and ocean view homes and condos, enjoy the famous beaches, golf courses and the natural wonderland that is Hilton Head Island.

Winter on Hilton Head Island offers a variety of family friendly events. Stay with Hilton Head Rentals and Golf and enjoy the great family entertainment that is offered in January.

From January 1, 2008 - February 29, 2008 the Hilton Head Hospitality Association presents the island’s annual Winter Carnival. This festival is a two month long celebration of living on such a glorious island. January and February are packed with a variety of family-friendly activities including live music, cultural displays, and indoor and outdoor celebrations. January’s half of the Hilton Head Winter Carnival is made up of theatre, orchestra, opera, and a number of excursion tours such as beach, art, kayak, and bike tours. February is filled with antique shows, a piano competition, and dolphin cruises. The Winter Carnival takes place in various locations throughout the island.

On Friday, January 11 • 8 pm & Saturday, January 12 • 2 pm, experience a world of surreal impossibilities, unbelievable strength and agility and breathtaking beauty when this troupe of gifted artists from around the world come together to present a stunning exhibition of acrobatics, aerial feats and cirque arts. The spellbinding Cirque Odyssey features a unique lineup of cutting-edge performances, including hand-to-hand balancing, mind-boggling contortions and synchronized, high-speed tumbling. The journey ends in a spectacle of color and energy with all the artists performing simultaneously on stage.

On Saturday 1/26/08, experience the annual Hargray Snow Day. In this winter wonderland, families can enjoy carnival games, funnel cakes, roasting marshmallows, hot chocolate, and much more. There will be live entertainment and real snow from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Tickets are $10/per person at Shelter Cove Community Park.

On Hilton Head Island, the off season is much more pet friendly than the “in” season when it comes to beach fun. Not only does Hilton Head Rentals & Golf have a number of pet friendly properties available year round, but it seems that the rest of the town follows suit when the height of the tourist season slows down. Between September 30th and April 1st (meaning, right now!), the town of Hilton Head will permit you and your dog to enjoy all twelve miles of island beaches together – no leash required. The leash laws return between April and Memorial Day. (more…)

Halloween on the island promises to be a blast this year. With seasonal temperatures mild and inviting, the evening festivities are sure to be first rate. Spending Halloween on Hilton Head means no bulky coats over that great costume you’ve been dying to wear! Kick off the holiday a few days early at Jarvis Creek Park on Friday, October 26th for a fun night at the Salty Dog Pumpkin Patch. From 5:00-6:00pm, enjoy a hayride, costume contest, carnival games and pumpkin painting. Fun for all ages! Don’t forget to take the kids Trick or Treating at the Coligny Plaza Halloween Carnival before or after hitting the park. Merchants will have candy available from 4:00-8:00pm. (more…)