Carolina Day Festival (Commemorating the Battle of Sullivan’s Island) – June 28, 2025

Carolina Day is the annual commemoration of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island that occurred on June 28, 1776. Fort Moultrie hosts Carolina Day events annually on the Saturday closest to June 28. During this weekend, the park hosts living historians, historic weapons demonstrations, ranger programs, and other activities.

Below is a listing of Carolina Day activities:

• Location: Fort Moultrie – 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
• This event is fee-free. No site fees will apply during this event. Events run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Event Schedule:

Flag Raising Program 10:00 a.m., inside Fort Moultrie

Join a ranger and living historians to help raise the Moultrie Flag. Learn about the importance of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, what the battle between the fort and the navy looked like and the history behind the flag itself. 

History Talk 10:30 a.m., behind Fort Moultrie

10:30 a.m.: Learn more about the forming of the patriot force that defended Fort Moultrie, the 2nd South Carolina Regiment.

History Talks 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. inside Visitor Center Theater

12:00 p.m.: Join a representative of the Catawba Nation and learn the history from first contact through present day.
1:00 p.m.: Join our living historians for a history talk about the South Carolina State Navy!
1:30 p.m.: Discover more about the British history here at Sullivan’s Island with the 33rd Regiment of Foot.

Historic Weapons Demonstration 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m, 2:30 p.m, 3:00 p.m behind Fort Moultrie

Join living historians to learn about muskets, cannons and mortars. Experience what it would have been like when they were fired!
11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Musket Demonstrations
11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Artillery Demonstrations

Living Battle Demonstration 2:00 p.m., behind Fort Moultrie

Join rangers and living historians for a program showcasing Sergeant Jasper and his heroic actions as he rescues the Moultrie flag under gunshots and cannon fire!

Flag Lowering Program 4:30 p.m., inside Fort Moultrie

Join a ranger and living historians to help fold the Moultrie Flag. Learn about the importance of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, and how the fight for freedom continues to echo through time. 

Guest Speaker 6:00 p.m., behind Fort Moultrie

Join us as we host historian and local author Norm Rickeman for a deep dive into the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, and why he considers it “…the biggest upset victory in America’s military history.” 

All Day Events 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

History Row and Interactive Children’s Activities

Ranger stations provide interactive activities for visitors of all ages, including:

• learn how to build a palmetto log fort
• make a keepsake musket cartridge
• design a regimental flag
• play colonial games
• sift for artifacts with the park archaeologist.

Book Signing

Meet local author Norm Rickeman, who wrote THE book on Colonel Moultrie and the victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. Books will be available for purchase.

Cricket Demonstration

Join a historian to learn (and play!) the most popular game in colonial America.

Indigo Dyeing Demonstration

Join a Park Ranger to experience the magical look of indigo dyeing, and learn about the enslaved labor used to get the dye from the plant. Did you know this is the same dye that we use in blue jeans today?

Knot Tying Demonstration

Join the Royal Navy Bully Boys for an interactive demonstration on how sailors would have tied knots.

Related: Remembering the Battle of Sullivan’s Island – June 28, 1776

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