63rd annual Beaufort Water Festival kicks off Friday
By Justin Jarrett
The best 10 days of the year are almost upon us.
It’s time for the 63rd annual Beaufort Water Festival to return to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, which will be the place to see and be seen from Friday, July 13, to Sunday, July 22.
The festival has grown leaps and bounds since the inaugural event in 1956 — not only in terms of its popularity, but also in the number of events offered. Back then, a $5 bill would get a couple into all the major events of festival week, which were limited to the beauty pageant, the Water Festival Ball (now known as the Commodore’s Ball), and the Regatta Ball.
This year’s festival will include upwards of 25 events, including numerous concerts, fan favorites such as the Opening Ceremonies, Motown Monday, Teen Dance, Talent Show, Blessing of the Fleet, and tons of fun contests such as the Raft Race, bocce and badminton tournaments, the children’s toad fishing tournament, and the always entertaining Bed Race.
This year marks a first for the festival, though — it’s the first time a husband and wife both will have served as Commodore. Beaufort native and attorney Stacey Canaday will serve as this year’s Commodore, following husband, Chris, who held the position in 2016.
Canaday was a Pirette — one of the team of young women who serve as the festival’s goodwill ambassadors by participating in regional parades and events throughout the year and assist patrons during the Water Festival — during the early-1990s and has been a volunteer for the festival for the past 15 years.
So Canaday knows her way around the Water Festival, but if you’re a first-timer, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
PARKING
Parking is limited downtown on an ordinary basis, but the competition for a space is especially fierce during the Water Festival. Be prepared to pay for parking, whether it’s at a metered space or in a paid lot downtown. Allow extra time to park and walk, or plan on parking at the Beaufort County Government Center and using the free shuttle for select evening events.
IT’S HOT!
It’s not exactly breaking news that it gets hot in the Lowcountry in July, but seriously, Water Festival seems to come during one of the hottest weeks of the year, every year. Be sure to slap on some sunscreen before you head out and take in plenty of fluids (other than beer and wine) to avoid dehydration.
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY
There’s no shortage of food and beverage available at Water Festival, and you can indulge as much as you like while knowing you’re helping support charities such as high school booster clubs. If you’re going to enjoy some adult beverages, though, be sure to drink responsibly and keep the atmosphere family-friendly, and whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.
Photo at top by Bob Sofaly.
2018 BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, July 13
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Waterfront Park
Event Details: Noon – 7pm
OPENING CEREMONY
Sponsored by The Preserve at Port Royal
Entertainment: The Parris Island Marine Band & Fireworks at Dusk
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Gates open at 6pm, Ceremony at 7pm | FREE Shuttle Service from the Beaufort County Government Center
Saturday, July 14
Raft Race
Sponsored by CPM Federal Credit Union
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: 8:30am – Noon
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9am – 7pm
Bocce Tournament
Sponsored by JoCo Construction
and Sea Island Elevators
Location: Waterfront Park Main Field
Event Details: Play starts at 9am
Badminton Tournament
Sponsored by A.C. Harvey’s Screenprinting
Location: Waterfront Park Stage Field
Event Details: Play starts at 9am
Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by Plair Enterprises, Inc
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10am – Noon | Ages 12 and under only Bring your own rod, reel and tackle | Bait provided
Sponsor’s Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: FREE EVENT
10am – 2pm
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT|
Noon – 4pm
Ski Show
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1:30pm
CONCERT IN THE PARK
Sponsored by New Country Bob 106.9
Headline Performer GRANGER SMITH featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. with
SPECIAL GUESTS
country entertainer JOHN KING and new rising country act WALKER COUNTY
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $30 | Gates open at 6pm, Show at 7pm | No strollers, coolers, outside food or beverages or professional photography | No Refunds | FREE Shuttle service from Beaufort County Government Center | Children age 5 and under FREE
Sunday, July 15
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9am – 5pm
River Rally
Sponsored by Butler Marine
Location: Local Waters
Event Details: 9am – 1pm
Children’s Day
Sponsored by Coastal Orthodontics
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 11am – 3pm | Featuring Games, Activities, Shows, Bounce Houses and Prizes
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT
Noon – 4pm
TEEN DANCE
Sponsored by JOHN 3:16
Entertainment: DJ Donna
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $10 | 6pm – 9pm | Gates open 6pm – 9pm, No entry after 8pm (NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED) Ages 13 – 17 only, ID Required | Clutch Purses Only (6” x 9” size) | Please Wear Appropriate Clothing | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers
Monday, July 16
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 10am – 7pm
MOTOWN MONDAY
Sponsored by South State Bank
Entertainment: Deaz-Guyz
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $15 | Gates open 7pm, Show at 8pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | FREE Shuttle Service from the Beaufort County Government Center | Children age 5 and under FREE
Tuesday, July 17
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 10am – 7pm
HOMETOWN TUESDAY
Sponsored by Beaufort Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Headline Entertainment:
Steel Rail Express
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Gates open 7pm, Show at 8pm | No outside food or beverages, or coolers
Wednesday, July 18
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 10am – 7pm
TALENT SHOW
Sponsored by Landon’s LP
Hosted by: The Preceptor Omega
Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $10 or FREE with Official 2018 63rd Annual Water Festival T-Shirt Gates open at 6pm, Show at 7pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE
Thursday, July 19
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 10am – 7pm
LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER
Sponsored by Waste Pro
Headline Entertainment: 20 Ride
Opening Entertainment: Andrew Beam
Featuring: The Whistlers
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $15 | Gates open at 6pm Supper served 6pm – 7:30pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE
Friday, July 20
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 10am – 7pm
Bed Race
Sponsored by Starr Distribution
Location: Corner of Bay & Harrington
Event Details: $25 entry per team | 4:30pm check-in | 5pm start time | Same day registration based on space availability
RIVER DANCE
Sponsored by City Electric Supply
Entertainment: Groove Town Assault
Opening Entertainment: Souls Harbor
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $15 | Gates open at 7pm, Show at 8pm | Must be 18 or Older with Valid ID to attend | No refunds, outside food or beverages, coolers or strollers | FREE Shuttle service from Beaufort County Government Center
Saturday, July 21
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9am – 7pm
Water Festival Grand Parade
Organized by: The Beaufort Lions Club
Location: Downtown Beaufort
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10am – Noon
Non-Profit Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4pm
Air Show
Sponsored by Executive Flight Training
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1pm – 4pm Stunt Planes | US Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo
COMMODORE’S BALL
Sponsored by Mike’s Marine
Entertainment: Emerald Empire Band
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $10 | Gates open at 7pm, Show at 8pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE
Sunday, July 22
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the
Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9am – 3pm
Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Sponsored by The Past Commodores
of the Beaufort Water Festival
Location: Beaufort River in front of
Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: Noon – 2pm | FREE registration | Boats must register to be eligible for prizes | All applications must be at the judge’s table prior to Noon
Festival Ends – 3:00 pm
See you next year!
