A look at Memorial Day weekend in Beaufort
By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Once again, it’s the time of year when, as Americans, we pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and our freedoms, as Monday, May 26 is Memorial Day.
Of course, the event most affiliated in people’s minds with Memorial Day in Beaufort is the annual parade.
The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, will put on the annual Memorial Day parade beginning at 10 a.m. Lineup of all groups, floats and individual participants begins at 9 a.m.
The parade route starts in front of Beaufort National Cemetery, will head down Boundary Street, curve onto Carteret Street, turn right onto Bay Street, and eventually end at the intersection of Boundary and Bladen Streets.
Rev. Sam T. Spain Sr., the pastor of the historic Lady’s Island Baptist Church for longer than 30 years and a retired Master Gunnery Sgt. in the U.S. Marine Corps, is the Vice Commander of the Sons Of Union Veterans, Camp 10 of Beaufort.
“I pray that it goes well,” Spain said of this year’s parade.
Spain said that several times in the past few years, there were “a lot of entries, but not a lot of people on the sidelines.”
“I am hopeful, especially if we don’t get into any rain, that people will line the streets,” he said.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled.
According to Spain, the Grand Marshal of the parade is Rev. Venice Young, one of the oldest ministers in Beaufort.
A ceremony at the Cemetery
At the end of the Memorial Day parade there will be a ceremony at noon inside the Beaufort National Cemetery on Boundary Street.
National Cemetery officials ask that attendees please use the side entrance off Rogers Street, so as not to disturb the setup for the ceremony.
“We’re asking the public to come in the side gate by Rogers,” the official said. “Either come early and park by the tennis courts, or come in early from the side entrance. The big tent will be by the main flagpole.”
The keynote speaker for the ceremony is Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton, a retired four-star U.S. Air Force general.
The 40th Original Gullah Festival
The annual Gullah Festival will take place from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
The festival is free, though individual events may require an entry fee.
Events include ELIMU Educators & Journalists Excursion; the Caribbean White Party; Arts, lifestyle & food vendors; live entertainment; a kiddie village; and American Revolutionary Da’ Gullah Village.
There will be blacksmithing, indigo nking, rice farming and carpentry workshops, as well.
For a complete festival schedule, visit www.originalgullahfestival.org.
‘Decoration Day’ performances
The Gullah Traveling Theater will perform “Decoration Day,” a powerful theatrical production that honors the rich history and cultural traditions of the Gullah people, at the 40th Annual Original Gullah Festival on Thursday, May 22, and Saturday, May 24.
Performances will be at 7 p.m., on Thursday, May 22, and 3 p.m., on Saturday, May 24, at the USCB Center for the Arts at 901 Carteret Street in Beaufort.
Decoration Day is an award-winning performance that brings to life the origins of our nation’s beloved Memorial Day traditions. Through moving performances, soulful music, and vivid storytelling, the show highlights the role that formerly enslaved Gullah people played in decorating the graves of faithful fallen soldiers.
The production explores themes of freedom, resilience, and community, offering audiences a deeply immersive and inspiring experience that commemorates an important chapter in Gullah and American history.
Tickets are $55 for adults, $15 for youth (ages 7-17), and free for children (ages 0-6). Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.gullahkinfolktravelingtheater.org.
Sunday service
On Sunday, May 25, there will be a 3 p.m. church service at Central Baptist Church, sponsored by the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Women’s Relief Corps.
After the service, there will be an escort and the crowd will make its way down to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and throw flowers into the Beaufort River in honor of the nation’s dead at sea.
Flags In, Flags Out
This year’s Flags In event for the public to place U.S. flags on gravesites at Beaufort National Cemetery will be held beginning at 6 p.m., on Friday, May 23 at the main flagpole.
After a short welcome, gravesite flags will be distributed to be placed on all 24,000 gravesites. If weather is bad, the event will be postponed until 8 a.m., Saturday, May 24.
This year’s Flags Out event — removal of the gravesite flags — will be held beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 27.
For more information, contact the Beaufort National Cemetery at 843-524-3925 or Beaufort.NationalCemetery@va.gov.
SCDNR boat inspections
In an effort to keep people and waterways safe during the Memorial Day weekend, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division will be conducting courtesy boat inspections at public boat landings around the state, including two in Beaufort County.
The Memorial Day holiday kicks off the summer boating season and is one of the busiest times of the year for South Carolina lakes and waterways, and officers want to do everything possible to keep everyone’s weekend fun and safe.
On Sunday, May 25, SCDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will be at Broad River Landing from 9 to 11 a.m.
On Monday, May 26, they will be at Lemon Island Boat Ramp from 9 to 11 a.m.
Officers will perform quick but thorough inspections for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registrations. Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Instead, they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.
SCDNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.
To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the SCDNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431 or dial #DNR on your cellular phone.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
