2019 Beaufort Water Festival Magazine by Todd Stowe

The Official Guide to the 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival

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Hargray is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Beaufort Water Festival

Letter from THE COMMODORE

Welcome to the 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival! I am both humbled and privileged to serve as this year's Commodore and to represent one of Beaufort's most time-honored traditions.

As one of the Lowcountry's longest running festivals, we are excited once again to provide our community with a variety of entertainment and activities. From pre-festival sporting and leisure events to 10 days of national recording and local artists, we are sure something fun can be enjoyed by all.

The Annual Beaufort Water Festival is proud to be run and organized by an all-volunteer staff. Our passionate team mirrors the diversity of Beaufort's own born and bred locals, active and retired military, and others who have come from afar to make Beaufort their home. It is these varied influences that have been essential to our historic success and will be for years to come. We welcome you to reach out to us to see how you can be involved.

We would also like to recognize the generosity of all our sponsors. Their graciousness and kindness are vital to ensuring we can provide top quality entertainment and activities throughout the festival. Likewise, words cannot express the appreciation we have for the selfless support of all the civic organizations and military installations for all they do.

We look forward to seeing everyone this year and hope that you, your families, and friends will join us as we all come together to see and enjoy what our community has to offer.

Sincerely,

Brian Patrick Commodore 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival BiPtik

The 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Commodore, Brian Patrick, receives the blue blazer from the 11th Commodore, Colden R Battey, Jr.

Dear Friends and Visitors,

OFrom t he May or From the Mayor

n behalf of the City of Beaufort and our City Council and Staff, I want to welcome you to the 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival. This year’s Festival caps off a year of exciting successes for those in Beaufort and the surrounding areas.

USCB is experiencing growth and an even brighter future. The Center of the Arts is thriving with outstanding sell out performances. The Santa Elena Foundation, Historic Beaufort Foundation, Beaufort History Museum, Maritime Center, and Port Royal Sound Foundation are blossoming into exciting destinations. The 13th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival Achieved record attendance from across the country and beyond. At the same time, our community has collaborated with others in the fight to protect our pristine environment by aggressively opposing seismic testing and drilling for oil and gas while working to protect ourselves from the rising levels of water that surround us. For good reason, we take pride in these achievements and bring this sense of pride and joy to celebrating this year’s Annual Beaufort Water Festival.

The Beaufort Water Festival is a fun gathering of friends old and new, world-class entertainment, and competitions. It is also a special time of year dedicated to celebrating our national resources and not the least of which is our fabulous waterways. As you likely know, literally hundreds of our citizens work year-round to preview our very special National Historic Landmark District, to celebrate our pristine environment, and to shop and dine at our very special shops and fabulous restaurants.

ENJOY THE 64th ANNUAL BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL!

Sincerely,

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

A LOWCOUNTRY TRADITION

In 1956 John Bigbee and a group of friends had an idea – to expand Beaufort’s summer sailboat races into a weekend of fun on the water. And with that, the Beaufort Water Festival was born. The idea was to use local civic organizations to plan the ski shows and motorboat races. In the 60 plus years since that first two-day festival has grown to a 10-day festival. It will celebrate its 64th consecutive year this July.

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 (later changed to the Commodore’s Ball), and two dollars to attend the Regatta Ball. The first weekend featured sailboat races and the Regatta Ball. The following weekend began with the Beauty Pageant on Friday where the Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands was crowned. The parade and ski show, put on by the Beaufort Water Ski Club, and an air show highlighted the second weekend in addition to the Water Festival Ball.

Over the years, change has been constant as old events were phased out and new ones were added. Originally, all events were held on or adjacent to the municipal parking lot at the Downtown Marina. In case of inclement weather – the word “rain” is never used during the Festival – the pageant would move indoors to the Beaufort Elementary School and the Balls would be held in the Community Club.

Beaufort’s most famous event has grown over the past 60 years. Festival presidents began to be called Commodores, a group of 15 volunteers grew to hundreds, and the Festival's goodwill ambassadors, the Pirettes, were introduced in 1969.

As the years went by, the Festival began to draw more and more people to Beaufort from other parts of the state and a national level. Events such as fishing and golf tournaments were added outside the 10-day Festival. Other additions include the craft market and Sponsors’ and Community Non-Profit expos were added during the Festival to offer something for every age and interest.

The Festival continues evolving to keep current with the interests of festival-goers and has grown to a ten-day event. Over 400 volunteers from the community and military bases work long hours to bring the events to Beaufort. The Festival is able to offer first class entertainment at reasonable prices due to the generosity of our loyal sponsors.

Nettie "Tootsie" Dennis, Miss South Carolina 1959, in the 1959 Grand Parade.

Photo by Eric Smith Photography

QUESTIONS FOR THE THE COMMODORE

BWF: How did you come up with the theme for this year’s Festival?

BP: It was pretty simple, I wanted to focus on who the Festival is for and who makes it all happen. As our theme suggests, the answer is the same. I wanted to highlight the fact that the entire community has a role in making it happen... for us all.

BWF: You have been volunteering for the Beaufort Water Festival for well over a decade. What got you started and what kept you coming back?

BP: In early 2005, my wife at the time was approached by one of the Past Commodores about helping out. She of course was all about it. After a year or two of helping out, I started to enjoy the backbone work, the behind-the-scenes stuff. I just liked the people and the work we did. As the years went on, I accepted more roles and responsibilities and continued to enjoy seeing the fruition of everyone’s time and efforts.

BWF: You are a retired Marine. Did anything in your twenty years of service come in handy as Commodore?

The 64th Commodore, Brian Patrick, began volunteering for the Beaufort Water Festival in 2005. He is an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at MCRD Parris Island. He has three children, Krieg, Kortni, and Alyssa.

BP: Definitely - I brought my exceptional experience at attending meetings. LOL. On a serious note, I’d say handling logistics was a big help. Moving and juggling parts is a key element at all levels within the Festival and I’ve been very fortunate that my past experiences have made it an easy and natural occurrence for me to do.

BWF: Can you tell us how you came up with the theme for this year’s t-shirt?

BP: It ties everything together. The fireworks show has always been that “moment” for me. I think of the planning stages as, “By the Community”, and the fireworks show the beginning of, “For the Community.” Even though Opening Ceremonies starts at 7:00, it isn’t ‘till the fireworks show that we can throw out the timers and scripts and really sit back and enjoy it all.

BWF: BWF volunteers usually change jobs every year. What job has been your favorite?

BP: Parks Director. As a Coordinator, you typically change every year. Directors on the other hand can spend multiple years in the same position. As a member of the Parks Crew, you’re the backbone of everything logistics related. I spent many years there and can easily say it’s where I “grew up” in the Festival. There’s a couple screws loose for those of us that thrive on the lack of sleep and the tear-down in the middle of the night, so we can turn the park back over to the community as fast as possible.

BWF: What is your favorite BWF event?

BP: Like many of my predecessors, I’d have to say Opening Ceremony – specifically the fireworks. As I mentioned earlier, for me this signifies the transition between all the planning and the start of the 10 days. It’s a very relaxing moment where we get to . . . exhale sort of speak.

BWF: What, so far, has been your favorite BWF memory?

BP: Many! One in particular was Motown Monday in 2013. We had a pretty good storm come in towards the end of the 1st set which damaged the band’s (Deas-Guyz) keyboard, a major instrument for their songs. Fortunately, one of our Directors had access to one from a local high school. We were able to borrow it and have it hooked up and running right as the band went on for the 2nd set. Audience had no idea.

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

VICE ADMIRAL

REAR ADMIRAL

GOLF TOURNAMENT

THE 2019 COORDINATORS

PROGRAM

COORDINATOR:

Erin "Tank" Morris

Tank is a Beaufort native and graduate of THE Beaufort High School and is a Staff Sergeant with the Beaufort County Sheriff ’s Office. He and his wife, Megan, have two children, Hunter and Hannah Grace. This is Tank’s 15th year with the Beaufort Water Festival. Supporting Tank is his Director, David Murphy.

ADMIN

COORDINATOR:

SHAWNA DORAN

Shawna is a Registered Nurse and Vice President of Quality for Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Shawna started volunteering with the Festival in 1999. Shawna and her husband, Brett, own Lohr Plumbing, Inc.

They have two children, Colton and Ava.

Stephanie Ewell is the Admin Director, John Turbeville is the Protocol Director, and Tammy Crooks is the Volunteer Director.

PARKS COORDINATOR: TONY SERRATO

Tony is the owner/operator of Low Country Electronics. He and his wife, Ruth, reside on Hilton Head but are originally from Beaufort. He started volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival in 2004 because it let him be close to his family and hometown. The Park Directors are Samantha Gay, Alan Langford, Frank Muller, and Josh Taylor.

PR & MARKETING

COORDINATOR:

ROBERT AVERILL

Rob is the manager for Staples of Bluffton. He and his wife Brooke have one child, Gavin. This is Rob’s seventh year volunteering for the Beaufort Water Festival. The PR & Marketing Director is Louis Sweet and the Pirette Director is Brook Schott.

The Beaufort Water Festival is the largest East Coast festival run by an all-volunteer staff. Planning for the Festival begins 11 months prior to Opening Ceremonies and by the time the big day arrives, hundreds of volunteer hours have been invested by a dedicated team.

PRODUCTIONS

COORDINATOR: JOSH SCHOTT

Josh is a lineman at Dominion Energy. He and his wife Brooke have two children Joshua and Ava. This is Josh’s eighth year with the Beaufort Water Festival. The Productions Directors are Dave Helmer and Alex Brautlacht. The Hospitality Director is Ramona Brown.

TREASURER:

CORI TALBERT

Cori works in the Media Center at Lady's Island Middle School. She and her husband Pat have three sons: Patrick, Zachary, and Nicholas. This is Cori's eleventh year of volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival. The Assistant Treasurer is Shelley Kolb.

SALES & ADMISSIONS

COORDINATOR: DUSTY VICKERS

Dusty is the Sales/Project Manager at Creative Interiors & Carpet One. He started volunteering with the Water Festival the summer of 2012. Kyle Gentry is the Hole Master, Eric Ligeikis is the Beverage Director, Cely Johnson is assisting as the Craft Market Director, and Melina Lee is the Merchandise Director.

WATER AND AIR COORDINATOR: DONNA SMITH

Donna began volunteering for the Water Festival in 2005. She is the Health Promotions Coordinator and is a retired Navy Corpsman. Donna and her husband Alex have four children, Krieg, Kortni, Alyssa, and Nathaniel. John Barber is the Water & Air Consultant and her Water and Air Director is Katie Jindrich.

SPORTS COORDINATOR: JAMES NUTT

James is a Beaufort native and this is James' 13th year volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival. He is an Operations Manager for CBM Concrete. His Director is Cathy Emmert.

OPENING CEREMONIES

Opening Ceremonies kicks oﬀ the 10-day Beaufort Water Festival and is the favored event for many festival goers. It's a chance to have fellowship with friends, enjoy good music, and ﬁreworks. And it doesn't hurt that – as always - it's a free event for the community.

You know the Beaufort Water Festival has officially started once you see the Parris Island Marine Band on the stage and this year will be no different. The 64th Festival will once again feature the Parris Island Marine Band at the Opening Ceremonies on July 12th.

The band was established on October 28, 1915, not long after the breakout of World War I. Musicians originally doubled as marksmanship instructors and close combat instructors provided support for various units on the depot. Today, the Marines of the Parris Island Marine Band make up the concert band, marching/ceremonial band, brass band, brass quintet and a jazz combo. The Parris Island Marine Band’s primary mission is to provide musical support for recruit graduations and other military ceremonies and events. In addition to playing at approximately 40 recruit graduations each year, the band also performs concerts and parades across the United States. The band was also a 2009 and 2013 recipient of the Col. George S. Howard Citation for Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands.

In addition to the concert band on Friday night, the jazz ensemble will also perform. Comprised of 15-20 Parris Island Marines, the ensemble performs Jazz, Swing, Rock and other various styles of contemporary music for public performances. Most of the tunes are universally recognizable and always enjoyable.

At dusk, fireworks over the Beaufort River will be once again be provided by Munnerlyn Pyrotechnics, South Carolina's premiere pyrotechnics company. The fireworks display can be seen from the downtown Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, the Beaufort River, the bluff overlooking the river and various points in between.

"We’re looking forward to another exciting start to festival week," explained Josh Schott, Production Coordinator.

The Parris Island Marine Band will perform at the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 12th. Gates open at 6 pm. Ceremony begins at 7 pm. Fireworks at dusk.

Pictured is Mabrey Kolb, 62nd and 63rd Festival Pirette, Judy Copeland, First Lady for the 20th Festival, Carter Kolb, 64th Festival Pirette, Shelley Kolb, 35th and 36th Festival Pirette and the Assistant Treasurer, Ryan Copeland, Festival Staffer, and Leigh Copeland, 46th and 47th Pirette.

The Family BUSINESS

by Ryan Copeland

Mid-July, that wonderful halfway point in the year just after Independence Day but before kids go back to school. For over 60 years it’s been a time in Beaufort dedicated to the Beaufort Water Festival and volunteering.

For many in Beaufort, it’s a time to take the afternoon off work to get ready for the evening’s events, as if we don’t already live on leisurely lowcountry time. Others have traditions of taking the shells off shrimp while watching middle-aged men and women in Whistler costumes stretch their bellies during the Lowcountry Supper. Still others have made every Water Festival Parade since 1965 or Motown Monday since 2001.

For my family, the tradition has always been just helping put the festival together –hitches and all.

It started for us when my dad was named Commodore of the 1975 Water Festival. For the record, that was a good four years before I was even born, so I never got any of the

“First Mate” or “Second Mate” or “Guy Who Swabs the Deck” or whatever my lowly position would have been called. My sister was barely a toddler at the time, herself.

I’m not even sure how my dad got involved with the Festival to begin with, and he’s no longer here to ask, but I do know he grabbed Ed Duryea along for the ride,

"I even married a former Pirette, the same girl who once threw candy directly at me from the parade float.."

and three years later Ed was Commodore himself. I also know it rained a lot in 1975 – because I heard all the stories - and I know the sepia-toned photographs show my parents in the hideous fashion of the era. In later decades my dad continued to get the most out of the festival that he could, emceeing the Opening Ceremonies when asked and directed the Parris Island band when not asked.

Every year my parents would not only dust off the red pants and white shirts every summer but continued to work behind the scenes – as all Past Commodores do – to ensure the Festival was the best it could be. It was something they passed on to my sister, a Pirette in the early 90’s and later Pirette leader, and me. The craft market, the Grand Parade, the t-shirt roll and distribution, the Lowcountry Supper, Teen Dance… you name it, I’ve volunteered in helping with it over the years.

It doesn’t stop with me, either. My two oldest nieces have both been Pirettes, and I distinctly remember helping each of them with their applications on the porch at a beach house in Edisto. They put as much time and effort into it that a college application will look easy by comparison. I even married a former Pirette, the same girl who once threw candy directly at me from the parade float. When one of our sons was born, he was gifted an outfit with “Future Commodore” emblazoned on it.

So, it’s part family business, sure, but it’s also just the realization that the allvolunteer festival needs just that – volunteers. Beaufort without a Water Festival is a town in which none of us want to live. Maybe that’s what my parents realized years ago, and what keeps all of us still going now.

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

THE 2019 PIRETTES

CAROLINA ALVAREZ

Carolina is the daughter of Julia and John Price. She is a sophomore at Battery Creek High School where she is involved in sports, student government, HOSA, and SADD. She would like to attend Emory University or Eastern Carolina University to pursue her dreams of being a Physical Therapist. This is Carolina’s first year as a Pirette, and is excited to be apart of the Beaufort Water Festival.

ELLIE ASHMORE

Ellie is the daughter of Tina and Jerry Ashmore and she is a rising junior at Beaufort High School. She is a cheerleader, plays soccer, and is involved in YoungLife. Ellie is a second year Pirette and is glad to be chosen to work with the Beaufort Water Festival Pirette’s again.

KATIE ASHMORE

Katie is the daughter of Tina and Jerry Ashmore. She is a second year Pirette. Katie is in the 11th grade at Beaufort High School where she is a student athletic trainer. Katie is active in YoungLife and in her youth group at Carteret Street United Methodist Church.

KALYEA BRUKU-PALI

Kalyea Bruku-Pali is a junior at Whale Branch Early College High School. She plays softball, is a member of MCJROTC, is a member of HOSA, and the Student Advisory Council. Kalyea is also pursuing an associates degree while still in high school. Her plan is to attend Spelman College after high school to become a doctor. Klyea's is a first-year Pirette.

KI'ARRA FREEMAN

Ki’Arra is the daughter of Kinard and Yewande’ Freeman. She is a junior Honor student at Beaufort High School where she is on the Varsity Cheer Team and a member of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts. She actively participates in YoungLife. She plans on attending UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine with plans to become an Anesthesiologist. Ki’Arra is a second year Pirette.

OLIVIA GIAMMONA

Olivia is 16 years old and is a second year Pirette. She is the daughter of Steve and Katie Giammona. She is just finished her sophomore at Beaufort High School and is on the volleyball team. She is also a member of Interact and actively participates in YoungLife.

Each year the Commodore and a committee select a group of enthusiastic, local teenage girls to become Pirettes, who then represent the Festival throughout the year. They serve as the Beaufort Water Festival ambassadors of goodwill and make appearances at several Lowcountry venues.

KAYLA HANNA

Kayla is the daughter of Shelley and Ken Hanna. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School where she is a Cadet Airmen First Class on the Air Force Jr ROTC Drill Team. She is also a cheerleader, a member of the soccer team, and participates in HOSA.

HANNAH KESSINGER

Hannah is the daughter of Matthew and Karen Kessinger. She has four other siblings and made her way to Beaufort as a result of being in a military family. She is an honors student and freshman at John Paul II. She enjoys art and was a jv cheerleader last year. She hopes to attend SCAD and become either an interior designer or an architect.

ZÉLIE PLAIR

Zélie is the daughter of Frank and Therese Plair. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School, there she is a part of Interact Club and Voices. She enjoys listening to music, singing, reading, and being with friends and her family. Zélie is also apart of her church’s High School youth group. Zélie is a first year Pirette and looks forward to being an ambassador for the Beaufort Water Festival.

CARTER KOLB

Carter is the daughter of Shelley and Jeff Kolb. She is in the 10th grade at Beaufort High School where she plays soccer and volleyball. She is active in YoungLife and in the youth music program at the Baptist Church of Beaufort.

EMMA MELVILLE

Emma is the daughter of Bruce and Amy Melville. She is a junior at Beaufort Academy where she is a member of the Interact Club, a school ambassador, and is the Cadet Commander of the Civil Air Patrol. She is a student trainer for the varsity football team and plays varsity basketball and soccer.

LISSY REMBOLD

Lissy Rembold is the daughter of Heather and Jon Rembold. She is a 9th grade honor student at John Paul II Catholic School. She participated in jv cheer and varsity cross country in the fall and is running with the varsity track team this spring. Lissy also is an active member of the youth group at St. Peter's. She hopes to be accepted at Clemson University and become a teacher. Lissy is a first year Pirette.

KARLEY ROUSE

Karley is the daughter of Alan and Alicia Rouse and older sister of Gunner Rouse. She is a freshman Honor student at Beaufort High School where she is on the junior varsity and varsity softball teams. She is also a member of the Interact Club, National Junior Honor Society, and Voices. Her goal is to become an anesthesiologist.

ELLIE SECKINGER

Ellie is the daughter of Susan and Billy Seckinger. She is a sophomore at Beaufort High School and is in the Eagle Scholars program and is a Junior Merit Scholar. She is on the jv cheer team and plays the violin in the Beaufort High School orchestra. She is an active member HOSA, Interact, and the Sea Island Presbyterian youth group. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field upon graduating in 2022.

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Tyler Farr’s a thinker, an observer of the human condition, a man in the middle of a surging testosterone country movement in today’s Nashville who insists on digging a little deeper, getting a little realer and owning how hard it can be.

On Suffer In Peace, the son of a Garden City, Missouri farmer opens his veins and examines the pain that comes from being truly engaged with living.

From the wracked hangover of what you don’t see coming in love “Withdrawals,” the smoky acoustic “I Don’t Even Want This Beer” or the spare run-from-the-memories title track, the classically-trained vocalist knows that love isn’t just hard, it’s risky. With a resonant tenor that has a powdery bottom and a warm center, Farr heats up difficult emotions and peels back what most men barricade behind bravado.

One listen to Farr’s, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” is to hear the tension, the exhaustion and the devastation that comes with a stiff upper lip. It falters just a bit, buckles and throws unspeakable pain wide open without going for melodrama as he transforms the joke into a punchline that is the hero’s life.

“I could sing you heartbreak ballads for over an hour and a half,” laughs the easytalking Farr. “I have a lot of heartbreak ballads, because I think there’s a lot more heartbreak than happily ever after… But happily ever after is still what keeps you going after it.”

Not that he’s looking to throw an industrial strength pity party. From Craig Wiseman’s thumpin’ “C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.,” the hillbilly word-tumble a la Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” straight through to “Damn Good Friends,” which features tour mate and pal Jason Aldean trading verses celebrating good ole boy’s hanging tough, Farr’s album, Suffer, is also the gusto of cold beer after a hard day’s work, the notion of raising Hell and chasing the night and the grass roots eroticism that happens when you lose the posturing.

Farr evokes old school rednecks, hellions and honky-tonkers like the Hank Jr of Major Moves and 5-0, the John Anderson of “Swingin’” and “Let Somebody Else Drive,” Gary Stewart in his prime and Keith Whitley channeling Lefty Frizzell in “I Never Go Around Mirrors.” Confessing, “I chew tobacco, I don’t smoke. I drink whiskey ‘cause I like it,” he suggests his vices qualify him straight up and honest.

But his affinity for hard country and honky-tonk comes from an even more bedrock place: his parents. Following behind his father’s tractor raking the hay on the 150 acres he raised cattle on, Farr was basted in Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty’s “She’s Got A Single Thing In Mind,” Vince Gill’s I Still Believe In You and Sammy Kershaw’s Politics, Religion & Her – and his Mom, an aspiring singer who loved Dan Seals’ “Bop,” ended up married to George Jones touring guitarist, which pulled Farr right up to the bumper of one of country’s greatest raw lightning vocalists, as well as being exposed to Merle

Emily Ann ROBERTS

Emily Ann Roberts is a 20-year-old country artist from Knoxville, Tennessee, with several charting Billboard singles and two No. 1 iTunes country songs to her name. A ﬁnalist on Season 9 of “The Voice,” Roberts blends her traditional background with modern songwriting and production. She counts Runaway June, Midland and Miranda Lambert as contemporary inﬂuences.

Emily learned how to sing in the backseat of my parents car by singing along to songs off three particular records that shaped her as an artist from a very young age: Ricky Skaggs’ “Soldier Of The Cross”, Patty Loveless “Mountain Soul”, and The Dixie Chicks “Fly,” said Roberts. When Emily was in the 6th grade, she made her first public performance at church singing “Blessings” by Laura Story. Later that year, she auditioned with a friend for their middle school talent show and though they tried their best, they didn’t make it in the competition. Emily decided to ask the teacher what she could improve on so she could have a better chance of making it the next year. Her teacher said, “Maybe if you would’ve played an instrument you would’ve made it in the Talent show.” Emiy went home that same night, got an old guitar out of the closet, and started playing it every day.

Fast Forward to February of 2015 her dad got an email response to one of Emily’s YouTube videos. It caught the eye of a casting producer from NBC’s “The Voice”. She invited Emily to come to Atlanta for a callback audition. A few months later, she was on her first plane ride flying from Knoxville, Tennessee to Los Angeles, California to do a blind audition in front Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, and Adam Levine. “It was crazy y’all. I sang LeeAnn Womacks, “I Hope You Dance” and Blake and Adam both turned their chairs for me and I picked Blake as my coach.” Emily ended up coming in 2nd place at the end of the competition.

After three years of writing and performing, Emily released her first original country song, “Stuck On Me + You”, in September of 2018 which hit top 40 on the iTunes country charts. A month later, she released her second country original song titled, “I’ve Got Forever”.

Robert’s latest release, “Someday Dream”, is a song that she’s beyond excited about because it encourages everyone to follow their biggest dreams. “I want my career to show that if a simple girl from Knoxville, TN can live her dreams then everyone else can to,” explained Emily.

Emily Ann Roberts will be appearing with Tyler Farr and Copper Chief for the Concert in the Park on July 13th.

2019 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JULY 12

Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at Waterfront Park

Event Details: Noon – 7 pm

OPENING CEREMONIES

IT WOULDN'T BE MOTOWN MONDAY

It wouldn't be Monday night at the Beaufort Water Festival without the sounds of Deas-Guyz, back again for Motown Monday.

The high-energy group, Deas-Guyz, will take the stage again at the Beaufort Water Festival for Motown Monday.

Deas-Guyz features an entertaining mix of Old Motown, Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Rock, Reggae and Dance beats. The range of musical selections includes Motown sounds of the Temptations, The Drifters, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley classics to the dance sounds of Pharrell Williams and Montell Jordan.

The band officially formed in January 2000 (as Nu World Beat) and evolved to the tight group now known as Deas-Guyz. Each member adds a rich and varied musical background to the mix. The artists bring many years of prior experience performing professionally in other bands, clubs, colleges, various festivals and hundreds of private functions and wedding receptions.

For over a decade the band has been packing the house. With the popularity of the group growing it has lead them to performances across the state of South Carolina as well as several Venues in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina.

Deas-Guyz will perform on Motown Monday on Monday, July 15th. Gates open at 7 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are

$15. Five and under FREE.

Located in Historic Downtown Beaufort for over 40 years offering Coastal Gifts, Souvenirs, Jewelry, Year Round Christmas, Collectible Coins, and so much more!

Haggard, Vern Gosdin, and Gene Watson. He also found his own way to the party. “Carol, our bus driver, smoked Marlboro Reds while she was driving ‘cause that’s how we do… and I’d go to the back of the bus where there was this older girl who was just built, and who had a boom box she’d play Tim McGraw’s Not A Moment Too Soon on, and that was pretty good for a young high school kid.” Farr’s way was paved with the prestigious OAKE National Choir and years of formal voice training. But the high road didn’t appeal. At 21, like so many hard-scrabble dreamers, he made his way to Nashville to try his hand at being a star. “I saw guys who’d been there for ten years and nothing had happened,” Farr said of the sobering reality. “I got there, thinking I’ve got an album… I’m gonna be a star. It cost me $25,000. It was a total mess. You start to realize: it doesn’t matter how good, or what you’ve got. There’s just so much more to it.”

Farr didn’t know, beyond what he’d picked up from his stepfather. But he was determined. “I got a job at Tootsies, first day passing out flyers. I was a bar back. I’d pull sets playing for tips when they’d let me… and I swear that was the best hamburger in the South!” In true country boy can survive spirit, while Farr was waiting on his shot, he did what was necessary. Physical labor, parking cars, short order cooking, landscaping, singing demos, construction work, recreational therapist, working in a halfway house for children, “which was rough; we’d find suicide notes in tissue boxes, razor blades hidden under chair cushions.” And he kept pulling sets at Tootsies, playing for tips. “Four, five sets a night. People loved it. That’s where I really honed in on what I wanted to do – playing covers, classic country, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd and trying to write songs. “We figured out how to get out of town, too. Whiskey River in Valdosta, Georgia, Rumors in Atlanta, all over Florida and the Southeast. I’d play Tootsies three, four nights a week, then take off on weekends.” Punching it out on the streets and in the honky-tonks. It’s where the survivors and thewon’t-go-homers refuse to die. Every now and then a kid with talent rises from the herd. Fate stepped in. Country-rapper Colt Ford was looking for a background singer. Farr was looking to make it happen for himself. “Colt called me personally; he said, ‘I know you’re trying to make it. Take the job. I’ll let you open for me.’” Just as importantly, the gig opened doors and Farr’s eyes. I learned a whole lot that year out on the road, singing ‘Dirt Road Anthem’ before Jason (Aldean) ever cut it. Dreaming every damn night, learning the ropes.”

As time passed, Farr met Stephanie Cox, his publisher, “and someone who believed in me enough that I didn’t give up when other people might have.” Jim Catino, now his producer, took the roughneck with the golden pipes to RCA Nashville. “They didn’t know what it was, but they thought I had something. Beyond being real, I think it made me a mystery.”

They signed the hard singing songwriter with the nuance in his midrange. If he wasn’t like all the other kids, he was an awful lot like the fans, the working people who turn out for country shows. With little fan fare, Redneck Crazy was a #2 Billboard Country Album debut and an even more impressive Top 5 BillboardTop 200 Album debut, en route to yielding a pair of #1 hits in the title track and “Whiskey In My Water.” But Farr was just getting started. He toured incessantly: Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Lee Brice, Jason Aldean, festivals, dive bars. A working class country singer, he was trying to get people to hear his songs. Ultimately his debut sold well over six figures, but more importantly, the time staring the fans in the face solidified his take on what he wanted his kind of country to be. “I don’t think real life is flowers and sunshine – and I didn’t have a white picket fence in front of a little house,” he explains. “My parents split up. My Mom was married four times, so I’m used to people leaving. “I’ve been through a lot… but so have most people. And I want to be honest. I’d be lying if I made a record that’s all girls and love and perfect ‘cause that’s not real. I’d be lying to myself and to the people who look for their life in these songs…I wrote more songs on my first album, but in the end, while I had plenty of songs written, people made much better songs available to us. Songs that said what I wanted to say… that maybe said it better. And some of my songs I know are hits, but I want an album when you put the songs together, it fits. To me, Suffer does.”

Certainly there are emergent themes. Pride in who we are charges “Why We Live Here,” “Damn Good Friends,” “C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.” and “Raised To Pray,” while the notion of addiction being the reality when facing love gone bad or just plain gone offers a metaphor to harbor “Withdrawals,” “I Don’t Even Want This Beer,” “Suffer In Peace” and “A Guy Walks Into a Bar.” It is the good; it is the bad. Mostly, it is the real. “I think most of us are fighting the good and the evil sides of who we are. I’m a good person, but I genuinely like people. You get out having fun and you flirt with that line and it can get real thin. That’s the truth about life. There’s always that other side, and it’s not black and white. I’m a simple person, but inside, I might be complicated.”

Not slick, not fast, not obvious, he harkens back to a time when country singers raised hell and went to church, worked hard and played harder. They fell in love, but faced profound grief when it fell apart – and maintained their dignity no matter what. “If Suffer In Peace does anything, I hope for people who don’t have perfect lives, they can go, ‘Hell, yes!’ Because life is messy and hard to trust sometimes, but it’s deep and it’s intense – and if you do it right, you get to experience it all.”

The Ofﬁcial 2019 Annual Beaufort Water Festival magazine is published by the Beaufort Water Festival and distributed free of charge throughout the greater Beaufort region. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. All copy is protected and cannot be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Copyright 2019. al Beaufort Water Festival val and distributed free of ch an album when you put songs tog Live noers ce” ink on, nd it s not ngers but

The ﬁrst tribute of it's kind, they are taking audiences by storm. As Zac Brown's tour manager Paul Chanon said, "I had to do a double take the ﬁrst time I saw him. I thought it was really Zac."

Authentic vocals, authentic music, an authentic band. This is not a wig wearing, lip syncing, pretending to play tribute. These are real players, doing the great music the way Zac does at all his concerts. Up close and personal, moving, and fun! With nine hit singles, two platinum selling albums, and countless fans, Zac Brown is quickly becoming a country music legend. Now getting $500,000 per show, 20 RIDE is your affordable answer, unless you are really rich!

From traditional country, to Caribbean rhythm, to sultry bedroom ballads, 20 RIDE brings all the best Zac has to offer. Pushing the limits of what their talents offer, there is something for everyone. Whether you love their mega hits like "Chicken Fried" , "Colder Weather" ,"Free" , "Toes" , "Highway 20 Ride" or many more, 20 RIDE will play all your favorites and some cool covers too.

Comprised of good ol' boys from upstate Carolina, these guys know how to entertain. With insane work ethic like the real Zac Brown Band, they have a unique ability to include everyone in their show. Performing for years in a cover band, their experience performing together shows. Great harmonies and tight musicianship make 20 RIDE perfect for outdoor festivals, cool rehearsal dinner parties, killer clubs, rockin' pool parties or anywhere people love to have fun.

Supper will be served from 6pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, July18th, with 20 Ride headlining. Tickets will be $15 Children age 5 and under are FREE.

Thunderstruck recreates the spirit and energy of an authentic AC/DC concert, the way you remember it.

Taking the stage on Friday, July 19th for River Dance will be North Carolina's premiere AC/DC tribute band, Thunderstruck. Thunderstruck aims to please every crowd, playing the songs you know and love from all eras of AC/DC. They strive to stay true to the AC/DC way.

The band screeches out the vocals of Bon Scott and Brian Johnson, covering all the hits and deep cuts from 1975’s “High Voltage,” to 2014’s “Rock or Bust.” Thunderstruck obsesses over the tones and structures of each song's studio and live versions, also using all the gear necessary to bring the power and entertainment of a genuine AC/DC show. They bring the High Voltage Rock n’ Roll to any theater, ballroom, festival or special event.

Thunderstruck will headline the River Dance on Friday, July 19th and Frogmore Stu opening. Must be 18 or Older with Valid ID to attend. Gates open at 7 pm, concert starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $15.

PAST COMMODORES

1974 19th John M. Finn*

1973 18th James G Thomas*

1972 17th Thomas R Garrett*

1971 16th Don Perry

1970 15th Robert Welden*

1969 14th Elrid Moody*

1968 13th Arthur Horne*

1967 12th W. Henry Jackson

1966 11th Colden R Battey, Jr.

1965 10th C.R. Powell*

1964 9th R. Ray Kearns*

1963 8th Henry V Boyce, Jr*

1962 7th Marvin H. Dukes*

1961 6th Robert G McDowell*

1960 5th Roy Smith

1959 4th Mrs. Mazie Terhune*

1958 3rd Sammy Gray*

1957 2nd Ed Pike*

1978 23rd Ed Duryea

1977 22nd Fred Kuhn

1976 21st George Goldsmith

1975 20th Curt Copeland*

1956 1st John M. Bigbee*

* Deceased

CRAFT MARKET

The Beaufort Water Festival attracts crafters from all over the state and the southeast with some having made the trip to Beaufort for more than a decade. Whatever your taste or budget, you’ll be sure to find something at the Beaufort Water Festival’s Craft Market.

18 Loves: Illustrations

Allen’s Gems and Rocks: Gemstones and Gemstone Products

Ash & Vine Botanicals: Hand-poured, non-toxic soy candles

B2RV2Woodworks: Military/Marine Corps themed carvings, signs, and flags

Beyond Jewelry: Handmade hematite magnetic jewelry

Carolina Bows: Hair bows and on-site monogramming (no application yet)

Cecil Art Glass (Crystal Palace): Hand blown and sculpted glass on site by a 28-year veteran of the Beaufort Water Festival

Charleston Henna Tattoo: Hand-painted Henna Tattoos

Christopher 19: Brass jewelry with gems, precious stones, and leather

Cindy’s Custom Wreaths: Handmade door wreaths, kitchen towels and aprons

C&J Jolls Jewelry Designs: 14 K and Sterling Silver handmade jewelry

Coastal Empire CMHC: Paintings

Creative Styles: wood, metal, and scroll saw art

Crosby’s Cuttings: Handmade pens, razors, shaving brushes, duck calls, etc.

Deep South Creations: Woodwork signs, bottle openers, American flags, and laser engraved pictures

Don & Lynn’s Creations: Handmade wind chimes, flatware jewelry, US flags, and bird feeders

Element Tree Essentials: Handmade candles

Everette Erskine: Handmade wooden novelties and crafts

Fire and Pine: Wood Burned Maps

Holly’s Hobbies: Handmade wooden piggy banks and other household items

IME Distribution LLC: Iguana oil, pain remedies, therapy and essential oils, and natural face products

Island Accents: Hand painted art on canvas and reclaimed wood

JJ Signs: Hand painted signs and glass artwork

Kostoski Design: Unique handcrafted wire jewelry made on-site

K’s Designs, Beads & Baubles: Handmade mixed metal jewelry, wire wrapped and woven jewelry

Lakeshore Pottery: Sculptural and functional pottery

Leathered Pearls, LLC: Hand-woven leather, pearl, sea glass, stone, crystal, Bohemian treasure jewelry

Le Souk Gifts: Olive wood kitchenware

Margerite & Motte: Jewelry made from hand-collected shells

Modern Artisan Casey: Hand-carved wooden maps and lowcountry wall hangings

Moonglow Fine Woodcrafts: Fine wood crafted items

Mystic Mates Pillows: Variety of handmade regional pillows, totes, dog scarves, and shopping bags

N&G Cornhole: Cornhole bags and boards

Nectar of the Vine: Gourmet wine slushy mixes

Personalized Rings: Handmade personalized rings made on-site

Phyllis Barnhill McElveen Art: Various ocean themed arts and crafts

Polka Dots & Giggles: Handmade girls’ dresses and accessories and bubble gum bead and button jewelry

ReBloom Elegant Garden Art: Handcrafted garden art and sun catchers

Simply Savory Gourmet Blends: Gourmet dip mixes

Sun Styles: Personalized Christmas ornaments

The Oak Guy & Mosaic Lady: Mosaic mirrors, wall art, and jewelry holders

From the most popular modern hits, 90's and early 2000's R&B smashes, to timeless party anthems from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, TNR brings a repertoire that includes the best contemporary crowd-pleasers and iconic classics

Every party with The New Royals is a play-list of single-name superstars designed to rule the dance floor and put your guests in that I-can’tstop-smiling state of mind and body. The genuine vibe the band creates with guests at every event is an extension of the real chemistry among the band-members, especially the two married lead vocalists - Josh & Angelica Bias.

This couple on the front line has a true connection with audiences - and with each other - that is palpable on stage. Josh brings a spontaneous, up-tempo, heart-pounding, captivating energy that connects with crowds of all ages and personalities. Angelica, a dynamic performer with a magnetic sense of style and movement, sends them skyward with her soaring, soulful vocals.

The New Royals will headline the Commodore's Ball on Saturday, July 20th. Gates open at 7 pm, concert starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $10.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Local artist, Michael Arnett, was selected to leave his mark on the 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival with his visualization of the Commodore’s theme,

For the Community, By the Community.

When Michael Arnett left Beaufort for Johns Island earlier this summer, he didn’t take everything with him. Thankfully for collectors of Beaufort Water Festival t-shirts and art connoisseurs in general, Arnett left behind the winning design for the 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival t-shirt. A composite oil painting of various photographs taken by Arnett, the scene depicts fireworks exploding over the Beaufort River with the Woods Bridge in the background. It’s a scene familiar to anyone who has stuck around until dark on the Friday night of Opening Ceremonies.

“It’s cool to have my signature on something everyone will be wearing,” said Arnett. The oil painting took nearly two weeks to finish, a diligent process involving the entire spectrum of colors and plenty of sweat in the process.

His signature has already appeared on various paintings, graphite drawings, silk screening, digital art and prints sold from his studio, in addition to the graded work he handed back daily to students in his art classes at Whale Branch Early College High School for the past decade. The former presidential scholar and printmaking major at Wake Forest also holds dual master’s degrees from Converse College.

As an “original” teacher hired at Whale Branch Early College High School when the school opened, Arnett had the opportunity to see the entire evolution of the school, something he described as “awesome to watch it grow as it has.” His artistry has affected multitudes of students who have come through, but now he personally adds his name to a legacy of talented artists in the community whose works have adorned the t-shirts, cups and other paraphernalia of Water Festivals from years past. His own past experience with the Beaufort Water Festival began during his first summer in Beaufort, when he moved into an apartment just days before Opening Ceremonies in July. Kayaking out into the Beaufort River to check out the scene, he quickly realized why the concerts and events were so popular.

“It’s a blast,” he said. “Once you’ve done one Water Festival, you want to come back to all of them.”

It’s only now, when he’s leaving the area for a new teaching job near his hometown of Mount Pleasant, that he has a chance to be one of those who have moved from the area to come back each summer. “I’m going back home a little bit, but now I’ll be one of those who comes back every year,” he said.

There are worse legacies to leave, and like other artists in the Water Festival pantheon, he’s always welcome here.

The official 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival t-shirts can be purchased prior to the festival at the Downtown Marina, the Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply, and Visitor CenterBeaufort History Museum and at the festival at the Waterfront Park, starting on July 12th.

The 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival t-shirt artist, Michael Arnett, poses with his design.

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

2019 Beaufort Water Festival Magazine

Letter from THE COMMODORE

OFrom t he May or From the Mayor

A LOWCOUNTRY TRADITION

QUESTIONS FOR THE THE COMMODORE

VICE ADMIRAL

REAR ADMIRAL

GOLF TOURNAMENT

THE 2019 COORDINATORS

PROGRAM

ADMIN

PARKS COORDINATOR: TONY SERRATO

PR & MARKETING

PRODUCTIONS

TREASURER:

CORI TALBERT

SALES & ADMISSIONS

WATER AND AIR COORDINATOR: DONNA SMITH

SPONSORS

SPORTS COORDINATOR: JAMES NUTT

OPENING CEREMONIES

The Family BUSINESS

THE 2019 PIRETTES

CAROLINA ALVAREZ

ELLIE ASHMORE

KATIE ASHMORE

KALYEA BRUKU-PALI

KI'ARRA FREEMAN

OLIVIA GIAMMONA

KAYLA HANNA

HANNAH KESSINGER

ZÉLIE PLAIR

CARTER KOLB

EMMA MELVILLE

LISSY REMBOLD

KARLEY ROUSE

ELLIE SECKINGER

COMING SOON!

Emily Ann ROBERTS

2019 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

IT WOULDN'T BE MOTOWN MONDAY

PAST COMMODORES

CRAFT MARKET

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

For the Community, By the Community.