Memorial Day in the Lowcountry

Area residents soak up fun at beaches, Spoleto

Some took it easy on the beach. Per usual this time of year, many headed downtown for Spoleto events. Others tried to start or finish home-improvement projects.

Memorial Day proved to be the day of relaxation and remembrance that many in the Lowcountry come to expect. The traffic on Folly Road gave way to throngs of people blasting music, splashing in the ocean, flying kites and soaking up rays.

West Ashley residents Rose and Mark Luppino took it easy under their beach umbrella with drinks, snacks and homemade hummus.

Wade Spees
The Post and Courier

Claudia Burik (left) and Margie Pommer applaud the Columbia Community Band during the band’s Memorial Day concert in Marion Square.

“We took a walk on the beach a couple of times, drank a few daiquiris,” Mark Luppino said. They were excited about baby-sitting their 4-year-old granddaughter, Tiana, in the evening because of the gift they were going to give her.

“We’re giving her her new bike tonight,” Rose Luppino said. “We’re going to teach her how to ride it.”

Jeremy Higgs of Folly Beach woke up Monday, put on his bathing suit and strolled the block or so it takes to reach the sand. He and three friends were lounging on the beach. Their plans?

“You are looking at it. A day off of work …” he said.

“… some beer …” his friend, Todd Mazurek of James Island, chimed in.

“… and avoiding all the Ohioans,” Higgs said, laughing. His night plans were to hang out with friends at his house and have “probably a relaxing evening. Good friends, good food, good drink.”

Employees at Lowe’s on James Island said customers arrived in spurts throughout the day — first in the early morning and then after lunch. Many bought supplies for flooring projects and grills that would be inaugurated on Memorial Day.

On Marion Square, the scene was a little different. Music played as Spoleto vendors sold their wares, and American flags encircled the park. At one end, the Columbia Community Concert Band played patriotic standards such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Victory at Sea” and “Armed Forces Salute.” At the other end, a small group beat on their African drums to entertain passers-by.

“It’s a beautiful day — a great way to celebrate Memorial Day,” said Bill Perry, coordinator of the Charleston Community Band’s Memorial Day program and an alto saxophone player with the band. His band played the “Hymn to the Fallen” and dedicated it to the nine firefighters who died in the Sofa Super Store fire on June 18.

“It’s good that we have these things. A lot of people don’t know what Memorial Day is,” Perry said.

Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937