Beaufort’s Water Festival returns for its 67th edition
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The 67th annual Beaufort Water Festival will begin with a bang on Friday, July 14, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.
The Water Festival is one of the largest volunteer-run outdoor festivals in the South according to the Beaufort Water Festival website and more than 400 volunteers work hard to put on the festival every year.
The first festival was held in July 1956, and many of the events that are enjoyed during the festival now have not changed much since that first year.
The festival will continue for 10 days and will include nightly entertainment, daytime activities and sporting events, as well as artisans selling their goods in the Festival Arts and Crafts Market.
On Friday, June 14, the Opening Ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.
The ceremony will feature the Parris Island Marine Band, and the night will end with fireworks.
The festival will conclude on Sunday, July 23, with the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Tides of Lasting Memories.”
The theme is always selected by the current Commodore, which this year is James Nutt.
“One of the best things throughout my years attending and volunteering with the Water Festival are the memories made with family, friends, and the community. Along with our beautiful waterways, those wonderful times are what inspired this Festival’s theme,” Nutt said.
Saturday, July 15, is one of the biggest days for the Water Festival because of the number of events that they have according to Cori Talbert, spokesperson for the Water Festival.
“All of the events that we have on Saturday are big events, but Concert in the Park on Saturday night is the biggest,” Talbert said.
Tickets for the nightly events can be purchased online and in person at the gate except for the Concert in the Park event.
Concert in the Park tickets can only be purchased online before the event and will be available until they sell out.
Nutt said that he is excited about all the events with this year’s Water Festival, but he is most excited about opening night and the fireworks.
While many of the events are the same has, they have been through the years, Nutt did say that they expanded their sporting events some this year by adding a pickleball tournament that happened in May.
“It had a really great turnout, and I am excited to see how it grows in the future,” Nutt said.
Nutt also said that as Commodore, he had a hand in picking the evening entertainment and is very excited about the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band and a Led Zeppelin tribute band.
“I grew up listening to southern rock and classic rock and I figured everyone knows at least 10 Skynyrd songs,” said Nutt. “Those bands should be a good time.”
2023 Water Festival Schedule of Events:
Friday, July 14
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Opening Ceremony
Sponsored By: Devil Dog Headquarters
Entertainment: Parris Island Marine Band followed by fireworks
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: This is a free event. Gates open at 6 p.m., ceremony begins at 7 p.m. There will be a free shuttle service from the Beaufort County Government Center and there are no pets allowed.
Saturday, July 15
Raft Race
Sponsored By: Lowcountry Window Tinting
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bocce Ball Tournament
Sponsored By: JoCo Construction and the Pizzo Family
Location: Main Field at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Play starts at 8 a.m.
Badminton Tournament
Sponsored By: A.C. Harvey’s Screenprinting
Location: Stage Field at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Play starts at 9 a.m.
Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament
Sponsored By: Plair Enterprises, Inc.
Location: Seawall at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: This is a free event. The event will go from 10 a.m. to noon and is for ages 12 and under only. You must bring your own rod, reel and tackle. Bait will be provided.
Sponsor’s Expo
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shrimp Boat Display
Sponsored By: Sea Eagle Market
Location: Seawall at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 4 p.m.
Concert in the Park
Sponsored By: Dick Broadcasting/Bob 106.9
Headline Performer: Randy Houser
Also Performing: Gabrielle Mooney
Opening Act: Andrew Beam
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $35. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. No strollers, coolers, outside food or beverages or professional photography allowed. No refunds on tickets. There will be a free shuttle service from the Beaufort County Government Center. Children 5 and under are free. There are no pets allowed.
Sunday, July 16
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
River Rally
Sponsored By: Safe Harbor Beaufort
Location: Local Waters
Event Details: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Children’s Day
Sponsored By: Capital Waste Services
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: This is a free event. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature games, activities, shows, bounce houses and prizes.
Shrimp Boat Display
Sponsored By: Sea Eagle Market
Location: Seawall at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 4 p.m.
Ski Show
Sponsored By: AlphaGraphics
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: This is a free event and will begin at 1 p.m.
Teen Dance
Sponsored By: John 3:16
Entertainment: Veteran’s Pride Entertainment Services
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $10. The gates open at 6 p.m. and then event will end at 9 p.m. Youth ages 13 to 17 only are allowed to attend and must have a valid ID. Appropriate clothing must be worn and only clutch purses (6”x9” size) will be allowed. There are no refunds, outside food or beverages, pets or coolers allowed.
Monday, July 17
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 7 p.m.
Motown Monday
Sponsored By: South State Bank
Entertainment: Deas-Guyz
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $15. The gates open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. There are no refunds, pets, outside food, beverages or coolers allowed. There will be a free shuttle service from the Beaufort County Government Center. Children aged 5 and under are free.
Tuesday, July 18
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 7 p.m.
Island Time Tuesday
Sponsored By: Lockheed Martin
Entertainment: Sons of Sailors
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $5. The gates will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. There will be no refunds, outside food or beverages, pets or coolers allowed. First Responders and Military are free with active-duty ID as part of First Responder & Military Appreciation Night.
Wednesday, July 19
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 7 p.m.
Talent Show
Sponsored By: CPM Federal Credit Union
Hosted By: The Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $10 or free with Official 2023 67th Annual Water Festival T-Shirt. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. There are no refunds, outside food or beverages, pets or coolers. Children aged 5 and under are free.
Thursday, July 20
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 7 p.m.
Lowcountry Supper
Sponsored By: First Federal Bank
Headline Entertainment: Freebird
Opening Act: Chris Jones
Featuring: The Whistlers
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $15. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the supper will be served from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There are no refunds, outside food or beverages, pets or coolers. Children aged 5 and under are free.
Friday, July 21
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon to 7 p.m.
Bed Race
Sponsored By: The Greenery, Inc.
Location: Corner of Bay. & Harrington Street
Event Details: $25 entry per team. Check-in is 4:30 p.m. with a 5 p.m. start time. Same day registration based on space availability.
Rockin’ the River
Sponsored By: Quality Electrical Systems
Headline Entertainment: Led Zeppelin 2
Opening Act: Killin’ Quade
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $20. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. You must be 18 of older with a valid ID to attend. There are no refunds, outside food, beverages, strollers or coolers. There will be a free shuttle service from the Beaufort County Government Center.
Saturday, July 22
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Water Festival Grand Parade
Sponsored By: Taylor’s Landscape
Organized By: The Beaufort Lions Club
Location: Downtown Beaufort
Grand Marshal: Rob Bridgers
Event Details: This is a free event that will go from 10 a.m. to noon.
Non-Profit Expo
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: This is a free event that will go from noon to 4 p.m.
Air Show
Sponsored By: Executive Flight Training
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: This is a free event that will go from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature stunt planes and parachutists.
Commodore’s Ball
Sponsored By: Mike’s Marine
Entertainment: ACE Party Band
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: Tickets are $10. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. There are no refunds, outside food or beverages, pets or coolers. Children aged 5 and under are free.
Sunday, July 23
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Sponsored By: The Past Commodores of the Beaufort Water Festival
Location: Beaufort River in front of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: The event will go from noon to 2 p.m.. Registration is free and boats must register to be eligible for prizes. All applications must be at the judge’s table prior to noon.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She spent six years as a videographer and photographer for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette before leaving the Lowcountry in 2018. After freelancing in Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she joined The Island News when she moved back to Beaufort in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
