Time for the 2013 Beaufort, SC Water Festival!              

Beaufort Water Festival Insider Tips!

When: July 19-25, 2013
Hours: TOTALLY depends on each event
Where: City of Beaufort, SC and on the Beaufort River
Who: Everyone and Anyone
Tickets: Mostly free but some ticketed
Who to Contact: Event Organizers

The Lowcountry's Premier Water Festival!

It's back! Just like they have been doing since 1956, Beaufort has everything from beauty queens, to fun on the water with the Lions Club putting on the parade since the beginning of the festival.

According to the History of the Festival. "In the early days of the Festival, it cost fifty cents to attend the Beauty Pageant, one dollar per couple to attend the Water Festival Ball (which was later changed to the Commodore’s Ball) and two dollars to attend the Regatta Ball.

 The Festival now has a huge array of events to cater to the varied interests of the attendees who come from all over the state. There are fishing and golf tournaments, crafts, and music including a night to enjoy the celebrated 'beach music' and shagging! All of this takes loads of volunteers - over 400 of them - as well as tremendously loyal sponsors.

 I've been to quite a few events at the festival but will say that the Bed Race down Bay Street, and the Raft Race are my favorites. New this year is the Dragon Boat race on July 20th, and I'm sure that it too will become one of my favorites!

It's Not Just the Food, Fun, & General Mayhem

Though munching your way through with everything from cotton candy, to bratwurst, to grits, to burgers, onion rings - oops I think I'm getting carried away with the food thing, is enough to fill you up for at least a week; it's also a great time to enjoy a true hometown festival where breezes off the Beaufort River and the fishing boats remind you of days gone by of a much more simple life. There's something for everyone and a true spirit of fun.

 Insider Tips

Bring Your own water!: You don't want to end up paying $4.00 for a bottle of water.

Throw some things in a backpack: You are allowed to bring picnic items since you're really going from one venue to another. Plus there are a ton of people mingling around and a backpack always ends up being easier than a purse. You might want to take a few minutes to relax on the grass so you might throw in a blanket......and it is summer in Beaufort, so maybe an umbrella to plan on a potential rain shower .

Think seriously about using the shuttle: It's free and will take you right where you want to go. Unless you have a boat - and even then there are only a finite number of moorings available, save yourself a headache and use the shuttle.

Bring Cash: Most of the vendors these days take cards, and you've probably already purchased your tickets in advance, but it's usually much faster if you have cash. Some vendors will only take cash so make sure you don't miss out on a one of a kind craft because you don't have cash.

(image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/irleslie)

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