Summer isn't summer in the Lowcountry without the famous Beaufort Water Festival. Apply sunscreen, bring water, load up the kids and go. This year's festivities promise to be the must-do family event of the season.
55th Annual Beaufort Water Festival
When/Where: July 16-25 in Beaufort
Info: What would summer be without Beaufort's famed Water Festival. Look for Bocce Tournament, Cornhole Tournament, Coast Guard Cutter Tours, Badmitton Tournament, Ski Show, Sailing Regatta, Bed Race, Shrimp Boat Display, Frisbee Dog Team, Blessing of the Fleet & Parade of Boats, Military Police Dog Demonstration and a Croquet Tournament. For a complete schedule, visit www.bftwaterfestival.com.
Here are some highlights:
July 16
Opening Ceremony. Gates open at 6 p.m., the ceremony begins at 7 p.m. featuring the Parris Island Marine Band and a fireworks show at dusk. Free.
July 17
9 a.m. Raft Race
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children's Toad Fishing Tournament
8-11:30 p.m. Entertainment by country music artist Jake Owen,
opening with the Chuck Courtenay Band. Admission $20. Limited advance tickets available online.
July 18: Children’s Day
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Rides, games and prizes
7-10 p.m.: Teen Dance, entertainment by D.J. Ross Brown; ages 13-17 only. $10. Advance tickets available online.
July 19: Motown Monday
8-11 p.m., entertainment by Deas Guyz. Admission $7. Limited advance tickets available online.
July 20: Tropical Tuesday
8-11 p.m.: Entertainment by Parrots of the Caribbean. Admission $12. Advance tickets available online.
July 21
7-11 p.m.: Talent Show; admission $10, free with official 2010 Beaufort Water Festival T-shirt. Advance tickets available online.
July 22
6-7:30 p.m.: Lowcountry Supper
6-11 p.m.: Entertainment by The Broke Locals, the World Famous Whistlers, followed by The Return, a Beatles tribute band. Admission
$15. Limited advance tickets available online.
July 23
8 p.m.-midnight, entertainment by The Breakfast Club, opening with the M&M Band; 18 or older only. Admission $12. Advance tickets available online.
July 24
10 a.m.-noon: Water Festival Grand Parade
Noon-4 p.m.: Shrimp Boat Display
1-4 p.m.: Air Show
8 p.m.-midnight: Commodore’s Ball, entertainment by The Holiday Band, named the
2009 Carolina Beach Music Group of the Year.
Admission $10. Advance tickets available online.
July 25
Noon-2 p.m.: Blessing of the Fleet
2 p.m.: Festival ends
The Beaufort Water Festival offers a free shuttle service from the Beaufort County Multi-Government Center on the corner of Ribaut Road and Boundary Street to the downtown marina parking lot in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The shuttle service runs on a 30-minute to 1-hour continuous rotation between the government center and marina parking lot. The first shuttle begins one hour before the gates open and the last shuttle ends 30 minutes after the event ends. Here is the schedule:
- July 16: 5-11:30 p.m.
- July 17: 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
- July 18: No shuttle service
- July 19-20: 6-11:30 p.m.
- July 21: 5-11:30 p.m.
- July 22: 6-11:30 p.m.
- July 23-24: 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Food and coolers are prohibited at the festival. Food, drinks and adult beverages will be available for purchase.
