Pushing through: Rain spoils opening night of 69th annual Beaufort Water Festival
By Mike McCombs and Delayna Earley
The Island News
The opening night of the 69th annual Beaufort Water Festival was over before it started.
“We are so disappointed that tonight’s Opening Ceremony at the Beaufort Water Festival has been canceled due to inclement weather,” the annual Beaufort Water Festival posted on its Facebook page Friday evening, July 11. “As always, the safety of our guests, performers, and volunteers is our top priority, and this difficult decision was made with everyone’s well-being in mind.
Delay for the Opening Ceremonies. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
“We appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to welcoming you to all the upcoming festival events throughout the week!”
The Opening Ceremony was set to begin at 7 p.m., followed by a concert from the Parris Island Marine Band and then the annual fireworks display after dark – all free events. But late afternoon thunderstorms and a steady rain forced early arriving patrons to seek cover and organizers to eventually call off the evening’s events.
The fireworks from Friday’s canceled festivities were moved to Saturday night and the Opening Ceremony, minus the flyover, was moved to Tuesday night along with the planned Caribbean Night event.
The rain continued into the weekend, but all of Saturday and Sunday’s events, including the annual Concert in the Park, headlined by Chris Janson, and Teen Dance on Sunday, were able to be held as planned with only mild inconveniences from the wet weather.
Sparks dance among the crowd during the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Motown Monday event on Monday, July 14, 2025. Amber Hewitt/
The Island News
Saturday began with the Bocce Tournament and Badminton Tournament at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament was also held in the park but had to be moved from its normal location near the playground due to the parts of the promenade that are closed for safety.
Raft Race was also held on Saturday morning but relocated to Sands Beach in the Town of Port Royal due to the promenade closure.
Thursday, July 17, brings a local favorite event, Lowcountry Supper, which will also look a little different this year due to the promenade closure in Waterfront Park.
Tickets for all ticketed events are available at bftwaterfestival.com.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
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.
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