The Lowcountry’s longest-running festival is back for its 58th year! The party starts Friday and runs through the following Sunday. A complete schedule of events is below. Come on down to Waterfront Park, y’all!
Cover photo by Eric Smith of Captured Moments Photography
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Noon – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Opening Ceremony
Sponsorship available
Gates open at 6 p.m., Ceremony begins at 7 p.m.
Featuring the Parris Island Marine Band and a spectacular fireworks show at dusk by South East Pyrotechnics
FREE ADMISSION
Shuttle service from Beaufort County Government Center
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Raft Race
Sponsored by Beaufort Memorial Hospital
8:00 am to 11:00 am, Waterfront Park
Applications must be received by July 5
A team meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:00 pm
Badminton Tournament
Sponsored by A.C. Harvey’s Screen Printing
9 am, Waterfront Park
Entries must be received by July 11 for t-shirt
Entries are limited to the first 20 teams
DragonBoat Race
Noon to 5 p.m.
Beaufort River
Beaufort Water Festival announces partnership with DragonBoat Beaufort in creation of DragonBoat Race Day. Read the press release here.
To pre-register a DragonBoat team, visit DragonBoat Beaufort’s website.
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
9:00 a.m – 7:00 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Sponsor’s Expo
10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Waterfront Pavilion
Free to the public
Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by Sea Island Atlas Van Lines
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free for ages 12 and under only
Bring your own rod, reel and tackle
Bait will be provided
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Noon – 4:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free to the public
Concert in the Park
Sponsored by New Country Bob 106.9
8:00 p.m. – midnight, Waterfront Park
Gates open at 7:00 p.m., Show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Opening entertainment by Chris Jones, followed by The Chuck Courtenay Band
Headline entertainment by Chris Cagle
NO STROLLERS, COOLERS OR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
SUNDAY, JULY 21
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Boat Bingo
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Local Waters
Bingo Cards available in advance:
Barrier Island Marine
Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply
Port Royal Landing Marina
and the Downtown Beaufort Marina.
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Noon – 4:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free to the public
Children’s Day
Sponsored by Coca-Cola
Featuring shows, rides, games and prizes
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free to the public
Teen Dance
Sponsored by John 3:16 Project
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (no entry after 8:00 p.m.)
NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED
Entertainment by DJ Jeff Taylor
Ages 13-17 only VALID ID REQUIRED
CLUTCH PURSES ONLY (6×9 size)
MONDAY, JULY 22
Croquet Tournament (Gold Croquet)
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
Waterfront Park
Call after July 17 for start times
Entries must be received by July 15
Festival Art and Craft Market
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
MOTOWN MONDAY
Sponsored by Palm & Moon Bagels
8 p.m to 11 p.m. at the Waterfront Park
Gates open at 7 p.m., Show starts at 8 p.m.
Entertainment by Deas Guyz
TUESDAY, JULY 23
Croquet Tournament (Gold Croquet continued)
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
Waterfront Park
Call after July 17 for start times
Entries must be received by July 15
Festival Art and Craft Market
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
TROPICAL TUESDAY
Sponsored by Marine Federal Credit Union
8 p.m to 11 p.m at the Waterfront Park
Gates open at 7 p.m., Show starts at 8 p.m.
Entertainment by the A1A Band and GG’s Ballroom Entertainment
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
Croquet Tournament (9 Wicket)
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
Waterfront Park
Call after July 17 for start times
Entries must be received by July 15
Festival Art and Craft Market
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
TALENT SHOW
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Hosted by the Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
7 p.m to 11 p.m. at the Waterfront Park
Gates open at 6 p.m., Show starts at 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 25
Croquet Tournament (9 Wicket continued)
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
Waterfront Park
Call after July 17 for start times
Entries must be received by July 15
Festival Art and Craft Market
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER
Sponsorship Available
6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Waterfront Park
Gates open at 6 p.m.; Show starts at 6 p.m.
Supper served from 6 p.m. to 7 :30 p.m.
Opening Entertainment by The Blue Dots and The Whistlers
Main Show featuring On The Border
FRIDAY, JULY 26
Bed Race
Sponsored by Advanced Mold Technologies
Check-in at 4:30 pm
Entries must be received by July 15 for t-shirt.
Same day sign-up available with space permitting
Festival Art and Craft Market
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
River Dance
Sponsored by Ehrlich / Jones Pest Control
8:00 p.m. – Midnight, Waterfront Park
Gates open at 7:00 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Opening entertainment by Bootless
Main Show featuring The Dirty Guv’nahs
MUST BE 18 OR OLDER WITH VALID ID TO ATTEND
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Festival Art and Craft Market
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Water Festival Grand Parade
Sponsored by the greenery, inc.
Organized by The Beaufort Lions Club
10:00 a.m. to Noon, Downtown Beaufort
Lowcountry Estuarium
Noon – 4:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free to the public
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Noon – 4:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free to the public
Non-profit Expo
Noon – 4:00 p.m
Waterfront Park under the pavilion
Free to the public
Air Show
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free to the public
(Beaufort River closed)
COMMODORE’S BALL
Sponsored by Mike’s Marine and EZ Loader Trailers
8 p.m. to Midnight at the Waterfront Park
Entertainment by The Holiday Band
Gates open at 7 p.m., Show starts at 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Festival Art and Craft Market
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Sponsored by the Past Water Festival Commodores
Noon – 2:00 p.m., Beaufort River in front of Waterfront Park
Free- boats must register to be eligible for prizes
All applications must be at the judge’s stand prior to Noon.
Live Entertainment featuring Vessel
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Festival Ends
3:00 p.m.
