Hilton Head Island High opens its first new building in 40 years
The island's first new high school building in 40 years, seven boats lost at Palmetto Bay Marina, and what is on the calendar.
Hilton Head Island High opened its first new academic building in more than 40 years.
Students across Beaufort County went back to class on Friday, Aug. 7. At Hilton Head Island High School, the morning meant more than a new schedule. For the first time in more than 40 years, students walked through the doors of a brand-new academic building. Anyone who sat in those older classrooms knows how long that wait felt. The formal moment came a week later, when the school held its ribbon cutting on Aug. 13. Two dates, one shift: the island's high school is no longer running on a more-than-40-year-old footprint.
Seven boats were lost in the July 29 marina fire
A fire at Palmetto Bay Marina on the morning of July 29 left seven boats a total loss. Seven missing slips is a visible change at a working marina on a small island, especially for owners and neighbors who know every boat on the dock. The loss count alone makes this one of the summer’s most consequential waterfront incidents for the island. A cause has not been released, and no repair timeline has been announced.
The town's public voice gets a permanent name
The Town of Hilton Head Island has named Kelly Spinella its Communications and Marketing Director. She had been doing the job on an interim basis since April, so this is less a change than a confirmation. The search that led here was national and drew more than 180 applicants. Spinella joined the Town in 2017 and has lived on the island for more than two decades. She graduated from James Madison University and brings more than 20 years in communications, marketing, public relations, and organizational leadership. Practically speaking, she runs the office that tells residents what the Town is doing and when.
Black Jacket Symphony takes on AC/DC Aug. 28 and 29
The Black Jacket Symphony comes to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Aug. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. The group will recreate AC/DC's Back in Black note-for-note and sound-for-sound, including Brian Johnson's vocals and Angus Young's guitar parts. The all-ages show is listed at $66, with tickets marked on sale soon through the Arts Center box office. It is a rock album performed with concert-hall precision in a proper theater. The venue calls the production a professional musical reconstruction rather than a conventional cover show. It also warns buyers to use the Arts Center box office, in person, by phone, or through its official ticket site, instead of third-party resellers.
Dear Evan Hansen opens previews Sept. 23
Dear Evan Hansen begins preview performances at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Sept. 23 and 24, then runs through Oct. 25. The contemporary musical about belonging won six Tony Awards. The venue recommends it for ages 13 and up and advises parental discretion for mental-health themes and strong language. Adult preview tickets start at $56 and child previews at $51. The story follows Evan after he invents a friendship with a deceased classmate and becomes entangled with the grieving family. Todd Underwood directs and choreographs the production, which features the Pasek and Paul score. Regular adult tickets are listed at $66.
Concours season returns at the end of October
The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d'Elegance begins Thursday, Oct. 29. The event has run since 2002 and brings collector vehicles, exhibitors, enthusiasts, and travelers to the Lowcountry. Tickets for 2026 are on sale, and the format puts visitors close to the cars through open doors, interior details, and conversations with collectors. For anyone who follows classic cars, the October start date is the one to put on the calendar.