Beaufort Water Festival!
Beaufort Water Festival – Rendezvous by the River
This Friday is the first day of the Beaufort Water Festival, a ten day festival comprised of more than two dozen individual events including sporting events, aquatic events, arts & crafts, music and of course, the best of Lowcountry cuisine. The Water Festival is a highlight of summer life in the Lowcountry, and a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience everything life on the coast has to offer. This post will highlight some of the main events, especially those that would be fun for the whole family, including children and teens.
The Opening Ceremony is this Friday, July 15th at Waterfront Park. The Parris Island Marine Corps band will play, and there will be a fireworks show at dusk. This event is free and begins at 7pm. Also, check out our previous blog for ideas on making events like fireworks and the Air Show (see below) a little more sensory-friendly.
If you arrive early, walk around the Arts and Crafts Market at the attached Promenade (going on throughout the festival), where local and out of town artists and crafters display and sell their hard work.
Saturday, July 16th is filled with plenty of events to watch or even participate in (register here): a bocce tournament, a raft race, a badminton tournament, a croquet tournament, and a Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament, which is free to enter!
Sunday, July 17th is Children’s Day! This event is FREE. Come to Waterfront Park to enjoy games, shows, activities, prizes, and bounce houses.
In the evening, let your older children go out and enjoy some music and time with friends at the Teen Dance (ages 13-17).
Saturday, July 23rd is the Water Festival Grand Parade. The Parade is from 10am-12pm and goes throughout downtown Beaufort.
After the parade, head over to Waterfront Park for the Air Show, where you can watch stunt planes, parachutists, and a US Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo.
On Sunday, July 24th, the festival ends with the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats, which can be viewed from Waterfront Park.
Throughout the week and weekends, there are numerous events and concerts scheduled, including a Concert in the Park, a Talent Show, a Lowcountry Supper, a River Dance, and the Commodore’s Ball. Check out the complete list of events by visiting the website and clicking on the Events tab and selecting Festival Schedule. Tickets to events can be purchased here (most events are free for children 5 and under).
Enjoy the Water Festival!
Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L
