In 2010 a beloved 20 year tradition left Hilton Head Island. The Dove Street Festival of Lights took place on Dove Street and literally lit up the night sky with houses along both sides a blaze with festive holiday lights. It was a fundraise that gave tens of thousands of dollars each year to The Deep Well Project, in addition to hundreds of memories over that 20 year period. However, The Dove Street Festival of Lights grew too big for its residential location and went out on a high note. This year the iconic festival is returning to Hilton Head Island at Shelter Cove Towne Centre from November 28-January 4.
As a family we vacation in Hilton Head often and visited the lights for many years. It’s one of those things that you marry in to and it was a real treat to witness. Fans of the original Dove Street Festival of Lights can rest easy, all of the favorite lights-and the poem that started it all will be represented.
“We have joyously collaborated with the founders of the original Dove Street Festival of Lights to recreate the magic of this beloved holiday event for the community,” Centre Director Roni Allbritton said.
One of the key differences with the Shelter Cove Town Centre location will be the opportunity for visitors to get close up and personal with the exhibit. “The ability to park your car and gather under the canopy of lights will make the Dove Street Festival of Lights an even more magical experience,” Allbritton said. “The Centre merchants are very excited about the festival, and will be transforming their stores into individual holiday venues designed to cheer and delight children from 1 to 92.” The stores will also be extending their hours and decorating the shops in an effort to make the return of The Dove Street Festival of Lights a magical experience.
The Dove Street Festival of Lights founders, Paul and Kristi Beckler and Rob Lolik explained that the quaint neighborhood Christmas festival — which started with two strings of lights and a Santa hat and eventually became one of the community’s most loved, attended and supported holiday events – simply outgrew its Dove Street location.
“Everyone was sorry to see the lights go out, and we were approached several times by people and organizations who wanted to move the festival to an alternate location,” said Paul Beckler. “But none of the locations made sense. When we heard about Shelter Cove Towne Centre’s vision for the project — the store fronts representing Dove Street homes, Towne Centre Drive as the focal point – we were instantly intrigued. The fact that people will be able to get out of their cars, enjoy the lights to their hearts content, and share the experience collectively as a community is a dream come true. We now believe that the Dove Street Festival of Lights legacy will live on – and continue to grow — in ways we never dreamed possible.”
Presented by The Merchants of Shelter Cove Towne Centre, the Dove Street Festival of Lights will run from November 28, 2014 through January 4, 2015 and will be open to the public nightly from 6PM to 10PM. Visitors will be able to gain entrance to The Dove Street Festival of Lights through the Kroger and Belk sides of the Towne Centre, and will be able to drive through the exhibit until 7PM. From 7PM to 10PM the street will be closed to vehicle traffic so visitors can walk through the exhibit and enjoy holiday treats and surprises that will be offered by the Towne Centre merchants. For daily events and performance updates, please go to sheltercovetownecentre.com.
“As the town park comes on line next year and the lights display grows with each year” Allbritton said, “we believe the Dove Street Festival of Lights at Shelter Cove Towne Centre will become a premier Christmas attraction for our community.”
This year’s festival is also a fundraiser for The Deep Well Project and PEP (Programs for Exceptional People). Representative will be on hand to accept donations and educate people about what they’re trying to accomplish and ways that they help Hilton Head Island.
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