Beaufort is one of South Carolina’s seaside gems on the picturesque Port Royal Island. Beaufort has long served as a nautical hotspot, as its coastal location has brought in ships for centuries. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this quaint community for its famous maritime celebration: the Beaufort Water Festival.
The Beaufort Water Festival is a long-running tradition that has blossomed into one of the most significant outdoor events in the South. It involves ten days of entertaining events on land and sea, such as competitions and showcases. Anyone can participate in this family-friendly and community-oriented event.
This year’s 67th Beaufort Water Festival will be held from July 14th–23rd at several locations across Waterfront Park, which stretches across Beaufort’s historic downtown. Many of the events are free to attend, although there are some for which visitors would have to buy tickets.
One of the event’s primary features is a big arts and crafts market where local artisans will sell handmade goods, including custom-designed furniture, paintings, jewelry, wood-carved kitchen utensils, and much more. It is the perfect place to support independent artists and find some unique gifts.
The Beaufort Water Festival is also an excellent place to get into the competitive spirit. Visitors can register for a variety of tournaments and compete against fellow amateur athletes for some exciting prizes. Beaufort Water Festival hosts a large golf tournament, a badminton tournament, a cornhole tournament, and a bocce ball tournament, to name a few. It also hosts a 5K/10K run that winds along the picturesque waterfront.
On the water, there are numerous tournaments to partake in as well. Boaters can test the limits of their sailing speed during the sailing regatta, and anglers hope to land the biggest catch at the fishing tournament. There will also be fun raft races and silly bed races. For children, Beaufort Water Festival hosts a toad fishing tournament for ages 12 and under, and there will also be Children’s Day, which has bounce houses, shows, and other activities for children.
Beaufort Water Festival also has spectacular shows for attendees to enjoy. Concerts on multiple days throughout the event are only the start. Visitors can view a ski show, where incredible water skiers demonstrate their unique talents, a grand parade through the park, an air show, and a boat parade on the event’s final day.
