Commodore Todd Stowe, volunteers adapt and overcome
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Music, food, friendly competitions and 10 days of outdoor fun await those who visit downtown Beaufort starting on Friday.
The 69th annual Beaufort Water Festival will kick off on Friday, July 11 with the Opening Ceremony and fireworks before diving headfirst into the first full day of events on Saturday, July 12, with the Raft Race, children’s fishing tournament, badminton tournament and evening concert featuring Chris Janson.
Festival coordinators were met with difficulties even before the start of the first event due to the closure of a portion of Beaufort’s Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, which is where all of the events for the annual festival are held, due to the area nearest to the seawall being deemed structurally unsafe.
Several events, including the children’s fishing tournament and the Raft Race have had to be moved to different locations, but it seems that most of the events will be able to continue as planned according to 69th Commodore Todd Stowe.
“The festival changes somehow every year,” said Stowe. “This is just a little closer than we’d like and a little bit bigger change than we’d like. But, you know, I’ve got smart people volunteering for me. We’ve got it figured out.”
Meet the Commodore
This year’s festival theme is “Blue Skies & Starry Nights,” which was developed by Stowe and is based on the painting Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, a tie-in with this year’s T-shirt design that he said he had been “doodling” for a while.
Stowe’s wife Patsy is an art teacher, and he said there was no question that he was going to ask her to paint the design for the T-shirt.
“So I could continue sleeping indoors, I made sure she was the one that painted the shirt,” Stowe joked. “Because if anybody else did it, I would be sleeping on the front porch for quite a while.”
For Stowe, being named as the Beaufort Water Festival Commodore was not one of his goals when he started volunteering with the 10-day-long festival in the 1990s.
Stowe moved to Beaufort in August of 1994 when he accepted a job teaching at Beaufort High School. He was asked by his colleague Mike Rentz if he was interested in volunteering, and he never looked back.
Rentz was in charge of the fence crew at the time and so Stowe started volunteered with the fence crew for a few years before moving up to be in charge of the fence crew.
As one does, volunteering and working hard with the festival, Stowe continued to rise through the ranks eventually becoming a coordinator in 2016.
Stowe said that the sense of satisfaction that you get when everything comes together is one of the main reasons why he has loved coming back for so many years.
“A lot of things are frustrating, and a lot of things are beyond your control, not everyone works on your timeline but once the festival gets here and you know you get to stand on this side of the fence, look out at the crowds like that, it just gives me a lot of satisfaction,” Stowe said.
As for being named as Commodore, Stowe said that was never why got into it.
“You know, it’s kind of like a byproduct of doing a good job,” said Stowe.
He said that while he was honored, it was a bittersweet moment.
“It’s actually a little sad because once you’re Commodore, they put you out to pasture and you can’t volunteer anymore,” Stowe said. “So I’m sitting here going, what am I going to do with myself next year?”
As for this year’s festival, Stowe said he is most looking forward to seeing the Mötley Crüe tribute band that will be playing during Rockin’ the River on Friday, July 18.
He said he was a big fan of the original band in high school and enjoys the music.
Stowe did say that he is terrified of the Bed Races though, because he replaced the wheels on the hospital beds a few years ago so that they would move better and he did too good of a job.
“I replaced those wheels, and they will move,” Stowe said. “So I got a bunch of teenage girls going push me down asphalt … yeah, I have a little concern.”
What you need to know
— Heat and rain are in the forecast for the 10 days of the festival as of Tuesday, July 8, so if you are heading out to enjoy the entertainment plan accordingly.
— Outside food, drink and coolers are not allowed in the park.
— Water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase onsite.
— In accordance with the city ordinance, alcoholic beverages cannot be taken outside of the gated area.
— Strollers are not permitted during Concert in the Park as it is a large standing-room only crowd and strollers pose a safety hazard and make it difficult for others to navigate the walkways.
— All tickets need to be purchased online in advance; there will be no ticket sales at the gate. Tickets will be emailed once the purchase is finalized.
— Any bags larger than 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches will need to be a clear bag, clutch bags smaller than those measurements will be allowed during all events. There will be clear bags available for purchase at the festival’s merchandise tent.
— Children 5 and younger are admitted free, and children are not allowed at the Teen Dance and River Dance.
— The venue is an open seating venue and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. But during Concert in the Park the grass area directly in front of the stage will be standing room only.
— Lawn chairs may be set up in advance; the park closes an hour before gates open, so it is best to arrive early before the park closes or just as the gates open to set up early.
— While most musical acts will play in a light rain or drizzle, occasionally a sudden shower will cause a delay in the event.
— Refunds will not be issued in the event of rain, even if it results in the event being canceled.
— Pets are not allowed during the scheduled evening events.
— Parking is available for the evening events at the Beaufort Government Center on Boundary Street and a free shuttle will be available to take people to and from Waterfront Park.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Schedule of Events
Friday, July 11
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Waterfront Park
Event Details: 2 pm – 7 pm
OPENING CEREMONY
Sponsored by: Devil Dog Headquarters
Entertainment: Parris Island Marine Band with fireworks
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Gates open at 6 pm | Ceremony at 7 pm
Saturday, July 12
Raft Race
Sponsored by: Lowcountry Window Tinting
Location: The Sands in the Town of Port Royal
Event Details: 8:30 am-Noon
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 7 pm
Bocce Tournament
Sponsored by: JoCo Construction and the Pizzo Family
Location: Waterfront Park Main Field
Event Details: Play starts at 8 am
Badminton Tournament
Sponsored by: A.C. Harvey’s Screenprinting
Location: Waterfront Park Stage Field
Event Details: Play starts at 9 am
Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by: Plair Enterprises, Inc
Location: Downtown Marina Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – Noon | Ages 12 and under only | Bring your own rod, reel, and tackle | Bait provided
Sponsor’s Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – 2 pm
CONCERT IN THE PARK
Sponsored by: Dick Broadcasting / Bob 106.9
Headline Performer: Chris Janson
Also Performing: Alli Walker
Opening Act: Chris Jones Band
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 6:00 pm | Show at 7:00 pm
Sunday, July 13
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 5 pm
River Rally
Sponsored by: Safe Harbor Beaufort
Location: Local Waters
Event Details: 9 am – 1 pm
Children’s Day
Sponsored by: Capital Waste Services
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – 1 pm | Featuring Games, Activities, Shows, Bounce Houses, and Prizes
Ski Show
Sponsored by: Novant Health
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1 PM
TEEN DANCE
Sponsored by: John 3:16
Entertainment: Veteran’s Pride Entertainment
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 6 pm | Event ends at 9 pm | No entry after 8 pm | NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED | Ages 13 – 17 only | ID Required
Monday, July 14
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon – 7 pm
MOTOWN MONDAY
Sponsored by: South State Bank
Entertainment: Deas-Guyz
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 7 pm | Show at 8 pm
Tuesday, July 15
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon – 7 pm
CARIBBEAN NIGHT
Sponsored by: Lockheed Martin
Headline Entertainment: Ragga Lox
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 7 pm | Show at 8 pm
ACTIVE MILITARY, EDUCATORS, and FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION NIGHT – FREE admission with current ID
Wednesday, July 16
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon – 7 pm
TALENT SHOW
Sponsored by: Mike’s Marine
Organized by: The Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE with the Official 2025 69th Annual Water Festival “Blue Skies & Starry Nights” T-Shirt | Gates open at 6 pm | Show at 7 pm
Thursday, July 17
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon – 7 pm
LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER
Sponsored by: First Federal Bank
Headline Entertainment: Departure – Journey Tribute Band
Opening Act: Campfire Tyler
Featuring: The Whistlers
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 6 pm | Supper served from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Friday, July 18
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon – 7 pm
Meet & Greet
Hosted by: Beaufort Executive Airport
Location: Beaufort Executive Airport
Event Details: Meet the Air Show pilots | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE EVENT
Bed Race
Sponsored by: Beaufort City Police & Fire Department
Location: Corner of Bay & Harrington
Event Details: $25 entry per team | 4:30 pm check-in | 5 pm start time | Same day registration based on space availability
ROCKIN’ the RIVER
Sponsored by: Quality Electrical Systems
Entertainment: CRÜEligans – A Tribute To Mötley Crüe
Opening Act: Shot to the Heart – A Bon Jovi tribute band
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 7 pm | Show at 8 pm | Patrons must be 18 or older with a valid ID to attend
Saturday, July 19
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 7 pm
Water Festival Grand Parade
Sponsored by: Taylor’s Landscape
Organized by: The Beaufort Lions Club
Location: Downtown Beaufort
Grand Marshal: Pat Harvey-Palmer
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – Noon
Non-Profit Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm
Air Show
Sponsored by: Executive Flight Training
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1 pm – 4 pm | Stunt Planes
COMMODORE’S BALL
Sponsored by: Archer’s Auto Glass
Entertainment: The Swingin’ Medallions
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: Gates open at 7 pm | Show at 8 pm
Sunday, July 20
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 3 pm
Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Sponsored by The Past Commodores of the Beaufort Water Festival
Location: Beaufort River in front of Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 12:30 pm to 2 pm | FREE registration | Boats must register to be eligible for prizes | All applications must be at the judge’s table by Noon
