The Beaufort Water Festival, which runs through Sunday, July 24, got off to a great start. Here are some highlights from the last several days of events. For more information on the Water Fest, visit www.bftwaterfestival.com.

<em>Top photo: The Parris Island Marine Band was once again on hand to give a free concert during the annual Beaufort Water Festival opening ceremony July 15 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Photos by Bob Sofaly.</em>

[caption id="attachment_29296" align="aligncenter" width="1020"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2691.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29296"><img class="size-large wp-image-29296" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2691-1024x703.jpg" alt="Erin Hancock, left, and her mother Mary Thibault of Thibault Gallery were busy painting designs on young faces during the annual Beaufort Water Festival Children’s Day on July 16 Photo by Bob Sofaly." width="1020" height="700" /></a> Erin Hancock, left, and her mother Mary Thibault of Thibault Gallery were busy painting designs on young faces during the annual Beaufort Water Festival Children’s Day on July 16 Photo by Bob Sofaly.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29295" align="aligncenter" width="629"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2675.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29295"><img class="size-large wp-image-29295" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2675-629x1024.jpg" alt="These girls had a difficult time getting a ping pong ball to land in a bucket to get as prize at Children’s Day at the Water Fest. The pair finally made the bucket, got a prize and moved on to another game. " width="629" height="1024" /></a> These girls had a difficult time getting a ping pong ball to land in a bucket to get as prize at Children’s Day at the Water Fest. The pair finally made the bucket, got a prize and moved on to another game.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29294" align="aligncenter" width="1020"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2617.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29294"><img class="size-large wp-image-29294" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2617-1024x784.jpg" alt="Nathan Wooten had his face painted to match his Stars-and-Stripes bandana July 16 at the Water Festival. Wooten is a non-commissioned officer stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort." width="1020" height="781" /></a> Nathan Wooten had his face painted to match his Stars-and-Stripes bandana July 16 at the Water Festival. Wooten is a non-commissioned officer stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29293" align="aligncenter" width="1020"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2614.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29293"><img class="size-large wp-image-29293" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2614-1024x748.jpg" alt="Burton Sauls, left, listens as Greg Mauriocourt pleads his case during the annual Water Festival Bocce Ball Tournament on July 16 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Mauriocourt and teammate Nick Hunt, won the contest, making them the winningest bocce ball team in festival history by nabbing their fifth tournament championship. “We play about once a week at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park,” Hunt said. “We either team up together to play against each other with others who show up to play.” This year’s tournament hosted 17 teams in a double elimination tournament. Hunt and Mauriocourt won all five of their games." width="1020" height="745" /></a> Burton Sauls, left, listens as Greg Mauriocourt pleads his case during the annual Water Festival Bocce Ball Tournament on July 16 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Mauriocourt and teammate Nick Hunt, won the contest, making them the winningest bocce ball team in festival history by nabbing their fifth tournament championship. “We play about once a week at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park,” Hunt said. “We either team up together to play against each other with others who show up to play.” This year’s tournament hosted 17 teams in a double elimination tournament. Hunt and Mauriocourt won all five of their games.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29291" align="aligncenter" width="620"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2597.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29291"><img class="size-large wp-image-29291" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2597-620x1024.jpg" alt="Febie Knight and husband Albert take a break and cool off in the shade July 16 during the 61st annual Beaufort Water Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park." width="620" height="1024" /></a> Febie Knight and husband Albert take a break and cool off in the shade July 16 during the 61st annual Beaufort Water Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29289" align="aligncenter" width="731"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2592.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29289"><img class="size-large wp-image-29289" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RES2592-731x1024.jpg" alt="Although a bit breezy, it was a perfect night to be standing near the seawall for the traditional fireworks during the Beaufort Water Festival annual opening ceremony July 15 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park." width="731" height="1024" /></a> Although a bit breezy, it was a perfect night to be standing near the seawall for the traditional fireworks during the Beaufort Water Festival annual opening ceremony July 15 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.[/caption]