Dusty Vickers closes his tenure with a historic first
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The Change of Watch took place Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Commodore’s Ball at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Cori Talbert, a festival volunteer for 17 years, was selected to lead the 71st Beaufort Water Festival in 2027.
Talbert celebrated the announcement by dancing with her husband, Pat, and their three sons. She served as program coordinator for the 2026 festival and has deep ties to the organization as the daughter of a past commodore and a former Pirette.
Vickers made history the following day during the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats. He became the first commodore in the festival’s 70-year history to conclude his tenure by jumping from a moving shrimp boat.
Vickers climbed over the rail of the shrimp boat Gracie Belle, owned by Sea Eagle Market’s Craig Reaves, and jumped into the Beaufort River before swimming ashore to deliver his final remarks as commodore.
The jump concluded the festival, which was held July 17-26 under the theme “Sunny Days & Friendship Waves.”
The celebration opened with the Parris Island Marine Band and fireworks over the Beaufort River. Its first weekend included the raft race at The Sands in Port Royal, sports tournaments, Children’s Day, the River Rally, a ski show and Concert in the Park featuring Joe Nichols and Tyler Reese Tritt.
Vickers also joined the Gatorland Ski Show Team on the water during one of the festival’s daytime events.
Weeknight entertainment included Deas-Guyz for Motown Monday, Ragga Lox for Caribbean Night and local performers during the annual talent show. The Lowcountry Supper paired a traditional Lowcountry boil with comedy from Brian Moote and the Bored Teachers.
The final weekend brought the Bed Race to Bay Street, followed Saturday by the Grand Parade and the Commodore’s Ball with music from The Catalinas.
Weather disrupted two major attractions during the final weekend. Friday’s Rockin’ the River concert, which was scheduled to feature the Hot Red Chili Peppers tribute band with Chris Jones opening, was canceled because of rain.
Saturday’s air show was also canceled. The U.S. Coast Guard demonstration was the only scheduled portion of the air show that proceeded.
Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats closed the public schedule before Vickers made his jump and delivered his final remarks.
Talbert will lead the planning and execution of the 71st Beaufort Water Festival in 2027. Additional information about the next festival will be announced as plans are finalized.
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.
