A Taste of Community, Taste of the Arts will take place at Washington Street Park, USCB Beaufort
Staff reports
The beloved A Taste of Beaufort festival, now celebrating 20-plus years, is expanding in 2026 with the addition of two exciting venues: Washington Street Park and the USCB Center for the Arts.
On Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Washington Street Park will host A Taste of Community, a vibrant event inspired by the gatherings that once brought the community together “back in the day.” Reminiscent of historic traveling variety shows like the Silas Green from New Orleans tent performances, the event will celebrate local culture, history, and creativity.
Guests can enjoy a lively lineup of musicians, storytellers, magicians, and interactive activities, including a scavenger hunt, time-period photo booth, dunk tank, and more. Food offerings will include a Sons of Beaufort Lodge No. 36 fish fry, along with hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and a variety of baked goods prepared by the Parish Church of St. Helena, the Beaufort New Church of Christ, the First Presbyterian Church, and the Family Worship Center.
A special clothesline art display will feature student artwork from Beaufort Elementary School and Robert Smalls Leadership Academy.
The event will also include the unveiling of the South Carolina historical marker for Washington Street Park (SC-C-963). Representatives from the National Park Service will be on hand to share the rich history of the area, with a focus on the Northwest Quadrant and Old Commons neighborhoods.
In addition, Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Era will offer guided tours of the historic Stokes Cottage, located at 1313 Congress Street.
The USCB Center for the Arts will present Taste of the Arts, featuring both an outdoor art market and an indoor juried exhibition. The outdoor market will take place Friday, May 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beneath the shade of the Center’s majestic live oak, visitors can stroll through artist tents showcasing original works in acrylic, pastels, oils, photography, wood, jewelry, outdoor water features, handbags, and more.
The outdoor market will also feature food trucks, live music, and additional attractions, creating a lively, festival-style atmosphere. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet artists and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces while enjoying the day’s entertainment.
The Taste of the Arts Indoor Juried Exhibition will feature 73 works by 40 artists from Georgia, North Carolina, California, and South Carolina. More than $2,500 in awards will be presented during the opening reception on Friday, May 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free shuttle service will be available between parking areas and all three festival locations, running every 15–20 minutes. Shuttles will operate Friday, May 1, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.