2024 Beaufort Water Festival Magazine

The Official Guide to the 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival

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Letter from the Commodore

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ello, my name is Josh Schott. I was born and raised in Beaufort. My Wife, Brooke, and I have two children, Joshua and Ava. Growing up in Beaufort and raising two children here, we have enjoyed what the Beaufort Water Festival has brought to the community over the years. I am thankful to have the distinct honor and privilege to serve as this year’s Commodore. Since 1956, our community has celebrated alongside family and friends, making lasting memories of this time-honored tradition.

The Festival could not exist without the kindness and generosity of our sponsors. Each year, local and national businesses along with benefactors make generous donations to ensure the Festival lives up to its rich tradition of providing top-notch entertainment, sporting events, arts and crafts, and fun for all ages on land and sea – all at a reasonable price.

I would like to thank the community, military, and civic organizations and the hundreds of volunteers who so generously give their time to support the Festival. As an exclusively volunteer event, we rely on this team to ensure the Festival is a resounding success each year. If you want to be part of our history and ensure that the tradition continues, please consider becoming a Beaufort Water Festival volunteer. As a group, we have made countless memories, and enduring friendships and have cherished working alongside so many dedicated community members The crew and I hope you enjoy the traditions that this wonderful, beautiful, and historic city by the sea has to offer at the 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival! We are proud of our mission to promote the natural and scenic beauty of Beaufort and the surrounding areas.

On behalf of the entire crew, thank you for supporting the Beaufort Water Festival. We look forward to having many more great times, and hope your family and friends have “A Summer to Remember.”

Sincerely,

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

The 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Commodore, Josh Josh Schott, Commodore 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Schott and his wife, Brooke.

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Phil Cromer WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR

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n behalf of the City of Beaufort, our Council, staff, and employees, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome as you join us for the 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival.

Commodore Josh Schott and his dedicated team of volunteers have put together an outstanding event for all to enjoy. As you navigate the festival events, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly volunteers and staff members to answer questions or for assistance.

We are thrilled to have you experience the charm and excitement of our beautiful coastal town as we celebrate our rich maritime heritage and community spirit.

From live entertainment to delectable cuisine and family-friendly activities, there is something for everyone during Beaufort Water Festival.

While you are here, please take the opportunity to explore our picturesque waterfront and immerse yourself in our colorful culture. Whether a first-time visitor or returning guest, we are certain you will have a wonderful experience and unforgettable memories.

Once again, welcome to the Beaufort Water Festival! Enjoy yourself, look out for each other, and here’s to “A Summer to Remember”!

In Service,

Phil Cromer Mayor City of Beaufort

The Official 2024 2023 Annual Beaufort Water Festival magazine is published by the Annual Beaufort Water Festival and distributed free of charge throughout the greater Beaufort area. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. All copy is protected and cannot be reproduced without written permission from the Annual Beaufort Water Festival. © 2024.

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Opening

C E R E M O N Y

Opening Ceremony kicks off the 10-day Beaufort Water Festival and is the favored event for many festival goers. It’s a chance for fellowship with friends, a time to enjoy good music, and fireworks.

And it doesn’t hurt that - as always - it’s a free event for the community.

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he noise you hear isn’t always just the sound of freedom – sometimes it can be the melody brought out by the trumpets and trombones with the steady backbeat of the timpani. 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 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival will once again feature the Parris Island Marine Band at the Opening Ceremony 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, while close combat instructors provided support for various units on the depot. Hitting the high notes in the mornings led to hitting the targets in the afternoons with the quick exchange of instruments for weapons.

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 an enjoyable highlight of the Festival’s Opening Ceremony.

At dusk, the music gives way momentarily to the display of fireworks over the Beaufort River that 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 Jerry Ashmore, Production Coordinator.

The Parris Island Marine Band will perform at the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 12.

Gates open at 6 pm. The ceremony begins at 7 pm, with fireworks at dusk.

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

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COME IN AND

QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMODORE BWF: Tell us about yourself. When you are not on Commodore duty, what do you do?

JS: I was born and raised in Beaufort. I graduated from Beaufort High School in 1999, back when it was on Mossy Oaks Road. I’m married to Brooke Schott and we have two children, Joshua and Ava. I work for Dominion Energy as a lineman, and I have been with them for 19 years.

BWF: How long have you been with the Beaufort Water Festival?

JS: I’m not sure what year I started officially volunteering, but I would go down and help with out with

different events like the raft race and the fishing tournament starting around 2001. I started fully devoting my time in 2012 when I became the Water & Air Director. I was a Director for several more years before becoming a Coordinator. My first Coordinator position was in 2015 as the Water & Air Coordinator.

BWF: Up until now, what was the most challenging position you’d held with the Beaufort

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

The 68th Commodore, Josh Schott, receives the blue blazer with the Commodore’s crest. The blazer was presented to Schott by his parents, Julie and Wilmot. Wilmot was the 54th Commodore.

Water Festival, and why?

JS: Sales and Merchandise was DEFINITELY my most challenging position, considering I had to do it for two years - thanks to COVID! At that time, certain items were hard to get due to the COVID issue... I may have lost a few nights of sleep, stressing about having ice for the Festival! [Editor’s Note: Josh definitely lost sleep that year over the ice.]

BWF: What are your greatest challenges as a Commodore? (Anything keeping you awake

at night?)

JS: Being Commodore, means I need to attend all of the events, so it is always hard to schedule everything around meetings and events. I haven’t lost any sleep so far this year, I try and leave the stress to my fellow Coordinators... “That’s Todd’s problem, not mine.” - Josh Schott

BWF: What’s typically your favorite part of the Beaufort Water Festival?

JS: Opening Ceremony is my favorite! It’s the time that you see all the hard work that so many people have done over the 10 months that it takes to plan the Festival come together!

When you look out over the park and see all the families and friends enjoying time together!

BWF: What are the best perks of the job?

JS: I feel like my kids reap all the perks! They enjoy coming down and getting the VIP treatment, especially my daughter! She loves grabbing a friend and sitting sidestage to watch the performers! And I’m sure every parent will agree, it’s always about the kids!

BWF: Why do you think Beaufort Water Festival is still going strong after almost 70 years? What’s the secret?

JS: The community supports it! From our generous sponsors, military, civic organizations, and all of our wonderful volunteers! None of this would be possible without everyone pulling together to support us in many different ways! Thank you to everyone that has played a part in making this possible for 68 years... 69 if you count that COVID year!

BWF: What do you look forward to most about being a FORMER Beaufort Water Festival Commodore?

JS: Being able to spend more time with family and friends. Not worrying about having a scheduling conflict with a Water Festival event will be nice, too! Also, not having people ask me for FREE TICKETS!

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ADMIRAL ABC Storage & Rental | Adams Outdoor Advertising | AlphaGraphics Beaufort | Beaufort Air Conditioning & Heating Beaufort Lifestyle Magazine | Beaufort Winlectric | Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club | Big D’s Royal Tees | Bill Moody & Son, Inc. | Bob 106.9 | Boundary Street Collision Center | Capital Waste Services | Charter One Realty | Coastal Waste and Recycling Complete Car Care of Beaufort, Inc. | Country Inn & Suites | The Cox Team Brokered by EXP Reality | CPM Federal Credit Union | Devil Dog Headquarters | Dominion Energy | Doray Builders, Inc | Easy Rentals, Inc | Executive Flight Training First Federal Bank | Fripp Island Resort | John 3:16 | The Kitchen | Landon’s LP | Landscape Workshop | Lockheed Martin Lowcountry Weekly | Lowcountry Window Tinting | Maginnis Orthodontics | Med-Trans Medical Transport | Mike’s Marine Modern Jewelers | Ocean Light Corporation | O’Quinn Marine Construction | Palmetto Mulching & Clearing | Palmetto Real Estate | Pender Brothers, Inc. | Pink Magazine | Plair Enterprises, Inc. | Plums/Saltus/Hearth Restaurants | Quality Electrical Systems | Rain-N-Bagel | Resorts at Beaufort | R.S. Andrews | S&K Signs & Designs | Sea Eagle Market | Seagrass Construction, LLC | South State Bank | Sprenger Healthcare | Terminix | TideWatch Vacations, LLC | The Island News | WHHI

VICE ADMIRAL Creative Interiors/Southern Carpet Wholesale | East Coast Collision and Recovery | Fripp Island Resort | Graybar Fence Co. | Lowcountry Insurance Services, LLC. | Low Country Electronics & Low Voltage | Panini’s Café | Pickle Juice | Safe Harbor Beaufort | The Greenery, Inc. Town of Port Royal | The Post and Courier Beaufort Country | WillScot Savannah

REAR ADMIRAL Beaufort County Airport | Butler Marine, Inc. | Cantey Foundation Specialists |Freedom Boat Club | Foskey Heating & Air JOCO Construction | LeafFilter | Lowcountry Insurance | Maryland Fried Chicken | Navy Federal Credit Union | OneBlood Regions Bank | Outback Steakhouse | Southern Signs & Graphics | Springhill Suites | TD Commercial Builders | Whitmore Plumbing | Winning Orthodontic Smiles

CAPTAIN Bay Street Jewelers | EA Services, LLC. | Leah Melvin Group | Piace Pizza | Pressure Cleaning Plus | Quality Buildings and Utility Trailers | Robinson Grant & Co., P.A. | SC Rep. Shannon Erickson/Hobbit Hill | Shepherd Tactical | Suburban Propane | Sutcliffe Golf Carts | The Spice & Tea Exchange

COMMANDER A.C. Harvey’s Screen Printing | Beaufort Academy | Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce | Best Western Sea Island Inn | Budget Print | Capitol Coffee | Carolina Floral Design | Carolina Tavern | Crowley Wechsler & Associates | Edenhope Farm | Firehouse Nutz Gavigan Entertainment | Grayco | Kazoobie Kazoos | La Nopalera | LowCountry Air Solutions | LowCo Tiki | Michael’s Salon | On Site Waste| Pye Barker Fire & Safety | The Boathouse | The Point Transportation | The Upper Crust | Tupper, Grimsley, Dean, & Canaday, P.A. Veteran’s Pride Entertainment Services

FRIENDS & FAMILY AA Window Tint | Brandy & Mickey Gray | The Dean & Good Family | Julie & Wilmot Schott | Marvin & Nancy Morrison | Richard and Jean Norris, Mason, Lily, and Bear

FISHING TOURNAMENT Title Sponsor: Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply

ACE Fence Company | The Boathouse | TD Commercial Builders | Shepherd Tactical | Taylor’s Landscape Supply

GOLF TOURNAMENT Title Sponsor: MED-TRANS - Air Medical Transport

Insurance Sponsor: Sutcliffe Golf Cars | Longest Drive Sponsor: Beaufort Winlectric

THE 2024 COORDINATORS THE 2024 COORDINATORS

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Todd Stowe

Todd began volunteering for the Beaufort Water Festival a long, long time ago. He is a teacher at Bridges Preparatory School. Todd and his wife, Patsy, have two children, Christy, and Jessie. Tony Serrato is the Technology Consultant, Bernie Amaya is the Parking Director and Jake Woolsey is the Director of Public Safety.

ADMIN COORDINATOR: Aracely “Cely” Johnson Cely is a Beaufort native and a fifth-grade teacher at Beaufort Elementary School. She and her husband, Ray, have two daughters, Chandaa and Brinlee. She has one grandson, named Asher.

This is Cely’s 10th year volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival. Her Admin Director is Theresa Senese, the Protocol Director is Renea Gray, and the Volunteer Director is Sam Thomas.

MARKETING & PR COORDINATOR: PARKS COORDINATOR: Dusty Vickers Shelley Kolb Dusty is the Owner/Operator of D’s Home Improvements, LLC. His wife Jessica, two kids Rylee & Wyatt, and their dog child, Penny live in Port Royal. He is originally from Blythewood, SC, and moved to Beaufort in 2010 to be closer to the endless amounts of creeks and waterways of the low country. He started volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival in the summer of 2012.

His Pirette Directors are Meghan Pierro and Jen Rotz.

Shelley is a native of Beaufort and a seventhgrade math teacher at Riverview Charter School. She and her husband, Jeff, have four children: Mabrey, Carter, Clara, and Tillman.

This is Shelley’s 19th year volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival. Walter Gay is the Parks Director, Frank Mueller, and Josh Taylor are the Electrical Directors, Stephanie Ewell is the Facilities Director, and Logan Hofmann is the Setup Director.

The Beaufort Water Festival is the largest East Coast festival run by an all-volunteer staff. Planning for the Festival begins 10 months prior to Opening Ceremony and by the time the big day arrives, hundreds of volunteer hours have been invested by a dedicated team.

PRODUCTIONS COORDINATOR: Jerry Ashmore

SALES & MERCHANDISE COORDINATOR: Jerry works for The Greenery, Inc. and serves on Cori Talbert the Port Royal Town Council. He and his wife, Tina, have five children and six grandchildren.

He has enjoyed the Festival for many years and has volunteered since 2018. The Festival MC is Mike Taylor, the Hospitality Director is Liz Brown, the Productions Director is Dave Helmer, and the Staging Director is Alex Brautlacht.

TREASURER: Meredith Keene

Meredith is a Beaufort native and the sole owner of Meredith A Keene CPA, LLC. She performs accounting services for local small businesses and income tax return preparation for individual and business clients. She has been involved with the Beaufort Water Festival most of her life, as the daughter of a Past Commodore, a former Pirette, and a volunteer with the Sea Island Rotary Club of Beaufort. Meredith’s director is Jennifer Canaday.

Cori works at Lady’s Island Middle School.

Cori and her husband, Pat, made Beaufort their forever home after Pat retired from the U.S. Navy. They have three sons: Patrick, Zachary, and Nicholas. Cori has been volunteering with the Beaufort Water Festival since 2009.

The Craft Market Director is Isaiah Martinez, Chris Hooper is the Hole Master, Melina Lee is the Merchandise Director, and the Beverage Director is Katie Gay.

WATER & AIR COORDINATOR: Kyle Gentry

Kyle is a Beaufort native, who has been volunteering for the Beaufort Water Festival since he was a young man. He came back to the festival in 2013, after exiting the U.S. Army.

Kyle has seven children Bradley, Madison, Miya, Aubrey, Aniya, Kylie, and Beau. Kyle’s Directors are Chas Jindrich and John Turbeville.

SPONSORS COORDINATOR: Katie Jindrich

Katie started volunteering for Beaufort Water Festival in 2013. After a brief overseas tour her husband, Chas, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and they were able to settle back into the Lowcountry. They have three sons: Charlie, Zach, and Max. The Sponsors Directors this year are Samantha Amar and John Hazel.

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SPORTS COORDINATOR: Greg Godfrey

Greg is originally from Eunice, Louisiana.

Greg retired as a Hospital Corpsman from the U.S. Navy in 2021 and currently works as a Senior Clinical Research Associate for Abbott Molecular, Inc. He has been volunteering with the festival since 2018. Greg has one child, Brooklynn. Kelsey Connor is the Sports Director.

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SAFE HARBOR ----BEAUFORT---Sunday, July 14 / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM/ (Rain or Shine) Hosted by Leadership Beaufort

Purchase cards at: Safe Harbor of Port Royal, Safe Harbor of Beaufort, Port Royal Landing Marina, and Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply

Taking a Look Back at

CONSTANT CHANGE Portions of this article originally appeared in the Beaufort Gazette on July 18, 1986.

T

he men wore white sportscoats and the women, long gowns. They danced the two-step to Big Band tunes in the parking lot near Beaufort’s waterfront and celebrated late into the night; probably hoping, as is the custom now, that rain wouldn’t come and bring a soggy end to the gala event.

The earlier festivals were weekend events. Beginning on a Friday night with a beauty pageant and street dance. On Saturday, there was a parade, sailboat races, water skiing shows, and finally, the Coronation (now “Commodore’s”) Ball.

That first festival was on a much smaller scale than those of today, drawing about 5,000 participants. “Everyone pitched in and did what they could do to help,” explained Ed Pike, the president of the second Beaufort Water Festival (the title of Commodore didn’t come into play until later in the festival’s history).

One of Pike’s most vivid memories of the year he commodored the festival occurred during the air show when one of the parachutists missed the mark and landed on the roof of Dr. Hymie Lipsitz’ office. That parachutist was Cale Yarborough.

“We started out in a parking lot, then moved to a band shell, but when they built the waterfront park, that’s when we really moved into the big time,” said Pike. “It was like a dream come true and I could just see the festival growing and getting bigger and better all the time. Each year, someone comes up with something to make the festival bigger and better. I tell you, we birthed some big baby,” he said.

By the time Sammy Gray took the helm of the Third Annual Beaufort Water Festival, the crowds had grown to about 8,000.

“By the third year, we could see that it had grown, and we saw the need to add more attractions, more free entertainment for people of all ages,” said Gray.

Gray who owned Hilton Head Auto Parts and True Value Hardware, remembered that it rained the night before the street dance. “We mustered up everyone we could find and every broom we could find and went out to the parking lot to try and dry it off.” The efforts were successful, and the dance went on without a hitch.

Ray Kearns, who owned Kearns’ Chiropractic Clinic, who helped organize 31 Beaufort Water Festivals remembered that the beauty pageants were always his main event. The first festival in 1956 and those that followed, revolved around the county’s beauty pageant.

Queens came from all over the state to compete for the title of “Queen of the Sea Islands.”

“We started out very small and graduated to having up to 40 or 42 queens. After that, we started cutting back and limiting the contest to just local contestants, but we’d always have 10 or 12 guest queens from around the state,” said Kearns.

“If you were lucky,” according to Kerns, “you could get one the queens to dance with you.”

“That was kind of the genesis of the whole thing,” said Pike. One of the better-known Queens of the Sea Islands was Nancy Moore from Aiken who went on to take the title of Miss South Carolina, and later, Mrs. (U.S. Senator) Strom Thurmond.

Since the original printing of this article, almost 40 years ago, the Beaufort Water Festival has continued to evolve and grow. Some events have been retired - others added. But what started out as weekend events, has turned into 10 days, with additional events like golf and fishing tournaments taking place earlier in the year. With all this change, some things still remain the same, though. The festival still ends with a ball. The sailboat races are still going strong. The Lions Club still organizes the Grand Parade. And the festival is still organized and put on by an all-volunteer staff.

Reprinted with the permission of the Beaufort Gazette.

Commodore, Ray Kearns in 1964

A BEAUFORT

TRADITION

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n 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 it has grown to a 10-day festival. It will celebrate its 68th 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 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.

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THE 2024 PIRETTES HANNAH BORREGGINE

KAMILL DOE

KELIS DOE​

AMAYA FIELDS

EMMA GRAY​

LAUREN GRICE​

PAYTON HAZEL

EMILY JEZEWSKI​

PEYTON KAYLOR

RILEY KENNEDY

Hannah Borreggine is the daughter Kamill Doe is the daughter of Earl Kelis Doe is a native of Beaufort. Her Amya Fields is a native of Beaufort. She Emma Gray is a Beaufort native and of Nick and Michele Borreggine. and Felicia Doe. She is a sophomore at parents are Earl and Felicia Doe. She is the daughter of Kristen McAlhaney the daughter of Mickey and Brandy She attends Bridges Preparatory Beaufort High School, where she is an has two other siblings, including her and Tymaine Fields and has five Gray. She is a sophomore at Bridges School. Hannah is a part of Student AP Honor Roll student. She is a proud identical twin and Pirette, Kamill, and siblings six. Amaya is a sophomore at Preparatory School. Emma is part of Government and is a sophomore member of HOSA, Key Club, and the her younger brother, Earl, who attends Bridges Preparatory School. She is the the National Junior Honor Society at class representative. In her free time, National Honor Society for Dance Arts Coosa Elementary. She is a sophomore team manager for the JV volleyball her school. In her free time, she enjoys Hannah likes to participate in theatre at BHS. Her hobbies are crocheting, at Beaufort High School, where she team and a varsity cheerleader. She spending time with friends and family. productions at USCB Children’s dancing, drawing, and traveling with her is an AP Honor Roll student. She is a enjoys helping her mother on the In her free time, Emma likes to cook, Theatre, singing, skateboarding, and family. Kamill’s post-high school plans member of the Key Club and National sidelines of her oldest brother’s football paint, and play with her dog, Ruby. spending time with family and friends. are attending Howard University and Dance Honor Society. Kelis plans games and supporting her at his home After high school, Emma plans to After high school, Hannah wishes to majoring in Nursing.​ on pursuing a degree in Fine Arts at SC State games. After high school, she attend college. Emma is a second-year attend college in New York to study Howard University after high school. plans to continue her education with a Pirette. performing arts. degree in nursing.

Lauren Grice is the daughter of Joey Payton Hazel is the daughter of John Emily Jezewski is the daughter of Peyton Kaylor is the daughter of Adam Riley Kennedy is the daughter of and Michelle Grice. She is a sophomore and Jessie Hazel and is a freshman Adam and Christine Jezewski. She and Amy Kaylor. She is a freshman at Holy Judy Kennedy. She is a freshman at at Beaufort High School. Lauren is at Holy Trinity Classical Christian attends Beaufort High School and is a Trinity Classical Christian School. She Bridges Preparatory School. Riley has a member of the HOSA, Interact, School. She is on the cheer and skeet freshman. Emily plays travel softball also enjoys running on the varsity cross- been a member of the National Junior and DAYLO clubs and the National shooting team. In her free time, she with Lowcountry Rage Fast-pitch. In country team and plays varsity soccer Honor Society since 2022. She dances Honors Society of Dance Arts and the enjoys archery, reading, and hunting her free time, she enjoys hanging out in the spring. After high school, Payton on United Dance Plex’s competition Spanish Honor Society. She is on the with her dad. She volunteers at her with family and friends, lounging by wishes to attend college and major in dance team. In her free time, she enjoys varsity tennis team. In her free time, church as a childcare worker. Payton her grandmother’s pool, babysitting, business. boating, the beach, and hanging out Lauren enjoys acting with the USCB also works at her parent’s store, Devil and running the tractor on her family’s with her friends. After high school, Children’s Theater. Lauren hopes to Dog Headquarters. She hopes to study property. After high school, Emily is Riley will attend college and continue attend Clemson University. Lauren is a criminology and psychology and hopes contemplating the nursing field or her education in the medical field. second-year Pirette. to work for the FBI to help stop human cosmetology. trafficking.

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.

EVA GRACE LABONTE

VIRGINIA O’KELLEY

ELLA WHITTINGTON

BRITTLEY YATES

ZAYDA PRUIT​

MOLLEIGH REAVES

LILY SARGENT​

Eva LaBonte is the daughter of Andrea Virginia O’Kelley is a Beaufort native Zayda Pruit is the daughter of Robert Molleigh is the daughter of Craig and Lily Sargent is the daughter of Twig and and Dave LaBonte. She is a sophomore and the daughter of Arthur and and Celeste Pruit. She is a sophomore Jana Reaves and is a sophomore at Holy Joanna Sargent. She is a sophomore at at Beaufort High School. She is a English O’Kelley. She is a sophomore at Battery Creek High School. Zayda Trinity Classical Christian School, Beaufort High School. Lily is a member member of the National Honors Society at Beaufort High School. Virginia is serves as a student council sophomore where she plays on the junior varsity and an officer for the National Honor of Dance Arts, and she is a varsity part of the tennis team and the HOSA class representative. She is a board volleyball team. In her free time, she Society for Dance Arts and a member cheerleader. In her free time, Eva likes club. She is a member of the youth member of the Interact Club and is a enjoys spending time on the water on of the Interact Club. In her free time, to dance, spend time with family, and group at First Presbyterian Church of member of the Leader in Me program. their shrimp boats and works at her Lily enjoys dancing at Jayne Richardson read. After high school, Eva wants to go Beaufort. After high school, Virginia Zayda is participating in the 2024 parent’s business, Sea Eagle Market. Dance Studio where she is a part of the to college and major in Architectural hopes to go to Clemson University and Beaufort Junior Leadership class and When she graduates, Molleigh plans Performing Company. She also loves Engineering. study nursing. Virginia is a second-year works part-time at SugarBelle. After to attend college and major in marine spending time with family and friends.

Lily plans to attend college and major Pirette. high school, Zayda hopes to attend a biology or forensic science. in dance. competitive university and eventually earn a law degree.

Ella Whittington is the daughter of Brittley Yates is the daughter of Chris Robin Angelo and Scottie Whittington. and Brandy Yates. She is a freshman at She is a freshman at Bridges Bridges Preparatory School. Brittley is Preparatory School. Ella plays soccer a member of the National Junior Honor for her school, PALS Recreational Society at Bridges. She is in her third Center, and All-Stars. In her free time, year of varsity on the girls’ basketball she enjoys reading, playing soccer, team. In her free time, Brittley enjoys hanging out with friends, and painting. hanging out with her friends, drawing, After college, Ella hopes to attend an listening to music, and going out on the in-state college and study Atmospheric family boat. After high school, Brittley Science and Meteorology. hopes to attend college and major in architecture.

The Beaufort Water Festival Pirettes from 1977.

Known for their distinct family harmony, irresistible melodies, and sure-fire radio favorites, including Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022, “Take My Name,” Parmalee has not-so-quietly become one of the genre’s most undeniable contemporary country hitmakers.

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he group – comprised of brothers Matt Thomas (guitar/lead vocals) and Scott Thomas (drums), along with their cousin Barry Knox (bass) and life-long friend Josh McSwain (guitar) – has accumulated more than 1 billion on-demand streams and three No. 1 hits including their breakthrough hit “Carolina,” the Blanco Brown collaboration “Just The Way” and “Take My Name.” Parmalee’s current single, “Girl In Mine,” is a Top 10 hit and climbing. All but “Carolina” are on Parmalee’s new album “For You 2,” which, at 18 songs deep, is the deluxe version of the band’s third studio project “For You,” which was released in 2021.

Matt co-wrote 17 of the 18 songs on “For You 2.” After the album was initially released, the singer took a break from writing for a few months but soon jumped back in with the intention of beating songs he had already written. While Parmalee had enough tracks to complete their fourth full-length album easily, the men decided to extend the legs on “For You” with five new songs and attract even more people to the undeniably hit-rich collection.

“I’m a melody guy,” Matt says. “If I have a melody I love, I’ll start there, then work on the lyrics. These five new songs are my favorite melodies of the songs that I’ve been a part of.

That’s obviously first.”

Getting to this point took a near-death experience, a second mortgage, and over 20 years of grinding it out together. The band formed in 2001, worked day jobs, and toured on the weekends until they signed with Stoney Creek Records in 2011 – a milestone the band nearly didn’t achieve.

Parmalee played a showcase in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2007 and an executive from a major label came to see them perform. They went to dinner with their investor and the executive, and though Matt had the feeling the guy wasn’t going to sign them, he asked what the label would do if they did. The executive told him he’d send the group to Atlanta to work with a producer. Matt called the producer the next day and booked studio time in the following days. The band had four songs they wanted to record – including “Carolina.”

Members racked up an $11,000 bill in the studio and paid with a check from their investor, which bounced. Matt was embarrassed to ask anyone but his mother for financial help. She worked at the local utility company and had the little three-bedroom house where the Thomas brothers grew up. Without knowing “Carolina” was in the mix

or hearing a single beat of the music, she used their family home as collateral and got them the money to pay for their songs. “We paid her back,” Matt said. “We made sure she got paid first before any of the other band expenses were paid, but she believed in us enough to write a check and mortgage her house without hearing one song!”

In September of 2010, with “Carolina” a staple in their live shows, Parmalee was playing as many concerts as they could in preparation to come to Nashville and showcase for labels the following month. One night, the band performed a set for 15 people in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and made $15. They were traveling in an RV outfitted with bunks and parked at the venue. Scott was in his bunk when someone knocked on the bus door. Matt opened the door and was met with a gun to his head. “Two guys in bandanas stepped into the RV screaming, ‘Give me the cash,’” Matt said. “I said, ‘I don’t have any cash. I don’t have any cash.’”

The robber fired his gun in the RV. Matt shouted for Scott, who had his carry permit and his pistol tucked under his bunk. Scott emerged from the back to diffuse the situation and while taking out both assailants, was shot three times. “So here we are at the highest point of our career, just thinking we’re going to get a record deal,” Scott said. “Then this all happens in a flash, and he’s on the couch bleeding out,” Matt added.

Scott was airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the middle of the night and received two blood transfusions in transit. When his bandmates arrived at the hospital, they were told Scott had a five percent chance of survival. The drummer was in a coma for 10 days and spent another 30 days in the hospital recovering. Five months later, he hobbled on stage to play a showcase with Parmalee for Stoney Creek Records – who signed them immediately. “That is just part of our story – what we’ve been through and sticking it out. Same four guys, too, not nobody else in the band.”

The men attribute their longevity to a decade spent playing together with no measurable success, just the love of playing music for fans. They learned who each other truly was, so they knew who they were standing beside when their dreams became reality in Nashville.

The same is true when they go into the recording studio. The men trust their gut when choosing songs and are confident what will connect with their fan base. Parmalee thought “Girl In Mine” was the fitting follow-up to “Take My Name” because the hooky, groove-filled love song is a perfect exclamation point on the affirmation every woman wants from her partner. “Boyfriend” is a catchy contemporary promise to treat his love interest better than her current partner. Lyrics include: “I don’t know his name or what the hell he’s waiting on, but if I was your boyfriend, I wouldn’t be your boyfriend long.”

Undoubtedly, a swoon-worthy proposal is on the way. The song continues Parmalee’s knack for recording melodic, engaging songs that stay true to their unmistakable harmonies.

“Gonna Love You” continues the story down the aisle, promising undying commitment reminiscent of some of country music’s most celebrated love songs. The production coils and swells, adding drama and emotion to this undeniable serenade that is destined to be a staple wedding song for years to come.

Parmalee tested the new songs on stage before adding them to “For You 2.” Because now, just as it was when they started performing together over 20 years ago, playing music is what makes them the happiest.

With determination as strong as it was when they first started playing together and 18 songs ready to release to the world, Parmalee is poised to take the next steps in their skyrocketing career. They have no regrets. “We just love to play,” Josh said. “We love to tour. We love the live connection. Our dream was just to play music for a living. Anything more than that is a bonus.”

Parmalee will headline the Concert in the Park on Saturday, July 13, along with HunterGirl, and Katie Lynn. The gates open at 6 pm and the show will begin at 7. Tickets are $35.

2024 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE FRIDAY, JULY 12 Festival Arts & Crafts Market Location: Promenade at Waterfront Park Event Details: 2PM – 7PM

OPENING CEREMONY

Sponsored by Devil Dog Headquarters Entertainment: The Parris Island Marine Band & fireworks at dusk Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: FREE EVENT | Gates open at 6PM | Ceremony at 7PM | Free Shuttle service from Beaufort Government Center | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

SATURDAY, JULY 13

Event Details: $35 | Gates open at 6:00PM | Show at 7:00PM | No strollers, coolers, outside food or beverages or professional photography | Clear bags only | No Refunds | Free Shuttle service from Beaufort Government Center | 5 and under FREE | No pets allowed

SUNDAY, JULY 14 Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 9:30AM – 5PM

River Rally

Sponsored by Safe Harbor Beaufort Location: Local Waters Event Details: 9AM – 1PM

Raft Race

Children’s Day

Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Shrimp Boat Display

Sponsored by Lowcountry Window Tenting Location: Waterfront Park Seawall Event Details: 8:30AM – Noon Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 9:30AM – 7PM

Bocce Tournament

Sponsored by JoCo Construction and the PIZZO Family Location: Waterfront Park Main Field Event Details: Play starts at 8AM

Badminton Tournament

Sponsored by A.C. Harvey’s Screenprinting Location: Waterfront Park Stage Field Event Details: Play starts at 9AM

Sponsored by Capital Waste Systems Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: FREE EVENT | 11AM – 3PM | Featuring Games, Activities, Shows, and Prizes Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market Location: Waterfront Park Seawall Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4PM

Ski Show

Sponsored by AlphaGraphics Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1PM

TEEN DANCE

Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament

Sponsored by John 3:16 Entertainment: Veteran’s Pride Entertainment Services Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $10 | Gates open 6PM – 9PM | No entry after 8PM (NO REENTRY ALLOWED) | Ages 13 – 17 only | ID Required; Clutch Purses Only (6″ x 9″ size) | ~ Please Wear Appropriate Clothing ~ | No refunds, outside food or beverages or coolers | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

Sponsor’s Expo

MONDAY, JULY 15

Sponsored by Plair Enterprises, Inc. Location: Waterfront Park Seawall Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10AM – Noon | Ages 12 and under only | Bring your own rod, reel and tackle | Bait provided Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10AM – 2PM

Shrimp Boat Display

Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market Location: Waterfront Park Seawall Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4PM

CONCERT IN THE PARK

Sponsored by Dick Broadcasting / Bob 106.9 Headline Performer: Parmalee Opening Act: HunterGirl Also Appearing: Katie Lynn Location: Waterfront Park

Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 12PM – 7PM

MOTOWN MONDAY

Sponsored by South State Bank Entertainment: Deas-Guyz Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $15 | Gates open 7PM | Show at 8PM | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Free Shuttle service from Beaufort Government Center | Children age 5 and under FREE | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

TUESDAY, JULY 16 Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 12PM – 7PM

ISLAND TIME TUESDAY

Sponsored by Lockheed Martin Headline Entertainment: Yvad Davy Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $5 | Gates open 7PM | Show at 8PM | No refunds, outside food or beverages or coolers | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

ROCKIN’ THE RIVER

Sponsored by Quality Electrical Systems Entertainment: Queen Flash Opening Entertainment: Alan Price & The Modern Day Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $20 | Gates open at 7PM | Show at 8PM | Must be 18 or Older with Valid ID to attend | No refunds, outside food or beverages, coolers or strollers | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

SATURDAY, JULY 20 Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 9:30AM – 7PM

Water Festival Grand Parade

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 12PM – 7PM

Sponsored by Taylor’s Landscape Supply & Nursery Organized by: The Beaufort Lions Club Location: Downtown Beaufort Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10AM – Noon

TALENT SHOW

Non-Profit Expo

Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Sponsored by CPM Federal Credit Union Organized By: The Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $10 or FREE with Official 2024 68th Annual Water Festival T-Shirt | Gates open at 6PM | Show at 7PM | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE | Clear bags only | No Pets Allowed

THURSDAY, JULY 18 Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 12PM – 7PM

LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER

Sponsored by First Federal Bank Headline Performer: Stuck in Time Band Opening Act: Chris Jones Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $15 | Gates open at 6PM | Supper served 6PM – 7:30PM | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4PM

​Air Show

Sponsored by Executive Flight Training Location: Beaufort River at the Waterfront Park Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1PM – 4PM | Stunt Planes | Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demonstration

COMMODORE’S BALL

Sponsored by Mike’s Marine Entertainment: Shag Doctorz Location: Waterfront Park Event Details: $10 | Gates open at 7PM | Show at 8PM | No refunds, outside food or beverages or coolers | Children 5 and under FREE | Clear bags only | No pets allowed

SUNDAY, JULY 21 Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 9:30AM – 3PM

Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats

Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park Event Details: 12PM – 7PM

Sponsored by The Past Commodores of the Beaufort Water Festival Location: Beaufort River in front of Waterfront Park Seawall Event Details: Noon – 2PM | FREE registration | Boats must register to be eligible for prizes | All applications must be at the judge’s table prior to noon

Bed Race

Festival Ends – 3:00PM – See you next year!

Festival Arts & Crafts Market

Sponsored by The Greenery, Inc. Location: Corner of Bay & Harrington Streets Event Details: $25 entry per team | 4:30PM check-in | 5PM start time | Same day registration based on space availability

Huntei-Gii-1

Since being named runner-up on season 20 of ABC’s American Idol, HunterGirl’s authenticity, unwavering tenacity and heart of gold have positioned her as Country’s next star, earning praise she’d only dreamed of.

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kyrocketing to No. 1 on iTunes All-Genre and Country charts with her earnest and deeply personal original track “Red Bird,” she’s performed on Live with Kelly & Ryan, appeared on Good Morning America, and was named a 2023 Artist to Watch by Music Mayhem.

Signed to 19 Records/BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records, HunterGirl, who is working toward her first-label project, just released her latest single “Ain’t About You,” written before she auditioned for Idol and received the first Platinum Ticket of the season. “I wrote that song two weeks before my American Idol audition and two weeks before my life changed forever,” HunterGirl said. “Two weeks prior, I was sitting there wondering if I was doing the right thing in Nashville, and then two weeks later, I had an audition that completely changed everything.”

“Obviously, I have a ton of breakup songs, but the ‘life songs’ for me, I reach down pretty deep for that,” HunterGirl offered. “I call them my ‘heart songs’ – ‘Red Bird’ was a heart song.

‘Ain’t About You’ is a heart song. Those are the songs I think about when I’m reaching down real deep.”

HunterGirl cut her teeth playing gigs at some of Nashville’s most famous venues including Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s Honky Tonk, The Listening Room, and Honky Tonk Central. She’s won songwriting contests including “Nash Next” and the prestigious “Nashville Songwriter Association International.” But the sort of industry attention and success she saw her musician friends achieving eluded her. “It was one of those days where everything kinda hits you all at once,” she recalled. “I grabbed my guitar and sat there and poured everything out of my head that I was feeling. I had been chasing this since I was 14 and a lot of my friends were getting record deals and publishing deals. I was like, ‘Lord, what am I doing wrong? ‘Am I doing the right thing? Am I working hard enough?’ So, I call this my 45-minute conversation with Jesus trying to make sense of everything that was going on in my head.”

“Ain’t About You” follows her first post-Idol tracks “Hometown Out of Me,” a love letter to her southeast Tennessee hometown of Winchester (population 9,500), and “Lonely Outta You,” which was inspired by male contestants on Idol, who struggled with talking about their feelings on the show. A few weeks after being crowned runner-up, show offers were coming in to UTA faster than she could put a band together.

“Coming off the show was a whirlwind,” she recalled. “That was a huge year of my life. I learned so much about myself as an artist and as a person. I vividly remember the flight home from New York after doing the talk shows after the finale, and I hadn’t been in Tennessee for four months. It was the moment where everything stopped for a second and you think, ‘Wow, this has all just happened.’”

Still dressed from doing morning media, she was walking through Nashville’s airport when someone wished her a happy birthday. She had forgotten it was the next day. “People coming up to me, cheering me on. People hugging me. Telling me they were proud of me – people I had never met before,” she enthused. “And that’s when I realized how much had changed.”

From Broadway to Hollywood, she went from playing honky tonks to a co-headlining tour with 2022 American Idol winner Noah Thompson and even having her own merch. In 2023, she is hitting the road with Luke Bryan, Parmalee, Josh Turner and Luke Combs for his pre-show tailgate stage. Recently, she’s been opening for Justin Moore, Tracy Lawrence, and Chase Matthews. In March, she opened for Lainey Wilson’s sold-out Nashville show at Brooklyn Bowl.

“It’s funny, I always wanted people to request one of my songs whenever I was playing cover show,” she admitted. “And it’s wild going to a show where I am playing all of my music, and people showing up for it.”

She has a tireless work ethic inspired by her parents – her dad was in agriculture; her mom was a special education teacher – who held down multiple jobs to support the family and allow HunterGirl to shine. Born Hunter Wolkonowski, she found her stage name by being the only “girl” Hunter in her elementary class. “My teachers had too many ‘boy’ Hunters in the class,” she explained. “So, they’d point to me and say, ‘Hunter Girl,’ and it just kinda stuck.”

She started performing when she was three and writing songs when she was nine. In her early teens, she performed at venues across the United States, competed in singing competitions and won the 2014 Texaco Country Showdown. After graduating high school, she moved to Nashville and immediately started playing gigs. She’s shared the stage with Country superstars including Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans and more.

“I’ve wanted to sing since I was a kid,” she said. “It’s always been the dream and the goal. Everything that I’ve done has been leading up to this.”

HunterGirl will be performing with Katie Lynn, and headliner, Parmalee, at the Concert in the Park on Saturday, July 13.

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DEAS-GUYZ

Returning to the stage again for Motown Monday is Beaufort’s favorite Motown band, Deas-Guyz. Led by Reggie Deas, Deas-Guyz are a perennial crowd pleaser that are sure to get you on your feet.

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he 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 15. Gates open at 7 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $15. Children five and under are free.

Photo by Shawn Hill Photography

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Yvad is a world-renowned artist who continues to promote the spirituality of reggae music and promote its message of “love, peace and unity.”

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evin Davy, aka “Yvad” has been in the music business since he was a child, playing the guitar, piano and singing in the Moravian Church Choir in his native Jamaica. Yvad bloomed into a realistic music song writer, producer & singer and created his own genre to be the true art form of reggae culture music.

Yvad has been featured multiple times on Billboard Magazine and in international media. MTV Europe interviewed Yvad and was captured by his enthralling live performance at the Tuff Gong Studios. BET’s Caribbean Rhythms devoted an entire show to Yvad. In 1997 Yvad was featured in the Marley Magic live show with the Marley family.

Yvad is a rare and precious gem who continues to promote the spirituality of reggae music, and to hold firm as he waits for others to enjoy and explore what he has to offer in the music industry. “With every great artist”, said Yvad, “there is consciousness, great lyrics, great melody and love for all fans.” Yvad is an artist who reveals the true meaning of reggae music, “love, peace and unity” and that’s what makes the music true to our culture.

Yvad Daily will perform at Island Time Tuesday on Tuesday, July 16. Gates open at 7 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $5. Children five and under free. Tuesday is First Responder and Military Appreciation Night - free admission with active duty ID.

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Talent Show

Everyone’s favorite family event is back again this year, loaded with 45 acts that are guaranteed to entertain.

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he Beaufort Water Festival wouldn’t be the same without the annual Talent Show on Wednesday, July 17th sponsored by CPM Federal Credit Union. And if chairs are any indication of popularity, the Talent Show is one of the most popular. “In the past, I’ve set up the judges’ stand in grass in front of the stage. I would start as early as 6:30 am and there were always chairs and blankets out reserving spaces,” confided longtime volunteer, Bernie Amaya.

The Talent Show wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the ladies from the Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. When asked how long the Beta’s had been working with the Talent Show Beta member Rhonda Conner replied, “When we first started in 1974 we had to put the microphone up to a record player.”

Throughout the years the Talent Show has grown from 15 contestants to more than 40. As it has grown, so has it’s impact. “We put the proceeds back into the community,” explained Conner. “A few of the beneficiaries are the YMCA, CAPA, and the Boys and Girls Club of Beaufort.”

The Talent Show will take place on Wednesday, July 17. Gates open at 6 pm and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $10 or free with an official 68th Annual Beaufort Water Festival t-shirt. Children five and under are free.

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STUCK

IN TIME

The Stuck in Time Band consist of five local guys that have been playing music separately for many years. They have joined forces to start their own band.

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he Stuck in Time band consist of five local musicians, David North, lead singer: Bill Lubekey, lead guitarist: Luis Gonzalez, bass; Greg Torrey, rhythm: Chris Torrey, drums. After playing music all their lives all these musicians retired from there “real” jobs and started having jam sessions in 2022. After about a year they decided to take the band public. Taking the Lowcountry by storm with 53 gigs the first year was a complete surprise but they are loving it. They love their “new jobs” playing music and making people happy.

Stuck in Time Band will headline Lowcountry Supper on Thursday, July 18, along with opening act, Chris Jones. Gates open at 6 pm and supper will be served from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers. Children age 5 and under are free. No pets are allowed. Tickets are $15.

This year's Grand Marshall is Firefighter, Derrick "Big D" Washington. A father of two and a full-time employee of the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, Derrick joined the Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Department as a reserve firefighter on September 1, 2001. He often doubles the required 24 hours a month at the station. He has logged more than 1,000 training hours, earning 30 certificates for his continuing fire education. He has been recognized for his work in public education programs and has been named the department's top volunteer multiple times.

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Look-a-like, sound-a-like, Johnny Zatylny has been captivating audiences by carrying on the musical tradition of Freddie Mercury since 2000. His amazing likeness with the original, matches his perfect performance of “Queen” songs both through his voice and his unmistakable stage presence.

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his fabulous 6-piece Queen tribute is an exciting, high energy show that will get people out of their seats. “Queen Flash” is a grand, theatrical representation of the real Queen concerts, complete with vocal quality unmatched by any other tribute out there. It captures the essence of a band that transformed the music industry and set lofty standards for those who followed. “Queen Flash” will set the stage for a flash back to one of the world’s finest group of rock musicians!

Zatylny is considered to be among the world’s top three Freddie Mercury impressionists. He has performed over the last eight years throughout Europe and North America with his Queen tribute band, MerQury, and has played to packed stadiums from Berlin to Stockholm and, yes, Gubin.

Montrealers can see and hear what all the fuss is about when Johnny comes marching home with Another One Bites the Dust, his homage to Freddie and Queen, at the Gesù on Saturday. For he will certainly rock you.

Queen Flash will perform at Rockin’ the River on Friday, July 19 with opening act, Alan Price & The Modern Day. Gates open at 7 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $15. Must be 18 or Older with Valid ID to attend.

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.

3 Bees Crotchet: hand-crafted stuffies. Child/baby safe.

Allen’s Gems & Rocks: Allen’s Gems & Rocks Beachside Wood Art: unique wall art from select cedar woods depicting the wildlife of the lowcountry Beck + Bub: Jewelry, home decor, gold, and silver SC beach shells, and pearls all hand-painted Bloom & Grow Candle Co.: Handmade lotion candles, natural car & home fragrance products Clay And Sea LLC: Handmade polymer, hypoallergenic clay earrings Crafts + Creations By Matthew: Hydro-dipped terracotta flower pots, embroidered art in frames of lace moon phases, and another art DesignPrints, LLC: Simulation items, earrings, key chains, mouse pads, coasters, bookmarks, and more.

Enchanted Moon: Spiritual wares centered around moon cycles, crystal jewelry, and

beach art Fire & Fluff Art Studio: Upcycled bourbon barrel products: earrings, bar-ware, furniture & art Fire and Ice Outdoor Gear: Fishing poles, survival bracelets and necklaces, backpacks, and kuska cups Graceful Stitches: Handcrafted stuffed animals Gypsy Castaway: Artistic nautical jewelry, gemstones, crystals, sea glass, shark teeth Hand Over Heals: Body Art: natural brown henna tattoos.

Sparkly, mermaid, fairy hair and more Jenny Danko Illustration & Design: Hand drawn and created art prints, plushies, stickers, keychains, enamel pins, and greeting cards Lammar Marie’s Gourmet Popcorn: Prepackaged sweet and savory popcorn Lowcountry Sugar Scrub: Proprietary formula created and handcrafted into sugar scrubs for hands, body, feet, lips, and shaving Magic Mushroom Forest:

Acrylic coasters and coaster stands, beaded and leather cord necklaces, small acrylic top side tables with designs Modern Forestry, LLC: 100% soy candles hand-poured into glass mason jars Moriarty’s Creations: Artwork made of reclaimed pallets & recycled bottle cups MytownArt.com: Original paintings and lithographs on canvas Nectar of the Vine: Wine frappe, gourmet wine slush mixes in 20+ flavors Paisleys n Polkadots: Laser engraved dog bowls, cutting boards, signs, whiskey staves, tumblers Palmetto Kettle Corn: 6oz. packaged bags of sweet n’salty kettle corn freshly popped in a variety of flavors.

Quandary Craftworks: Handmade leather and gemstone jewelry Resin8 Art Savannah: Resin ocean-themed boards, jewelry, clocks, wall hangings, ornaments, coasters, wine stoppers, and much more

Savannah Sam Photography: Coastal & Nautical themed photography and photo art Southern Certified: Designed tumblers, key-chains, and freshies Southern Hotpine Creations: Naturally translucent wooden sun catchers, dream catchers, nightlights, dragonfly & Butterfly earrings, lamps, and assorted home decor for both indoor and outdoor enjoyment The Helianthus Project: Handmade jewelry, candles, bath & body, and genuine leather handbags The Polawana Puppy, LLC.: Embroidered towels, garden flags, shoe bags, napkins, aprons, baby onesies, and blankets The Purse Lady: Handmade purses, totes, zipper bags, doo rags, and quilled earrings We3Potters: Hand-built pottery, sculptures, and stoneware jewelry by three generations of potters

2023 2022 2020-21 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

67th 66th 65th 64th 63nd 62nd 61st 60th 59th 58th 57th 56th 55th 54th 53rd 52nd 51st 50th 49th 48th 47th 46th 45th

PAST COMMODORES

James Nutt Shawna Doran Erin “Tank” Morris Brian Patrick Stacey Canaday Jason Berry Chris Canaday Bill Damude Brandy Gray Dan Thompson John Gentry * Bob Bible Sheri Little Wilmot Schott Les Brediger Erin Dean Keith Cummins * Richard Norris Marvin Morrison Geordie Madlinger * Scott Seelhoff Ed Saxon Craig McTeer

1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977

44th 43rd 42nd 41st 40th 39th 38th 37th 36th 35th 34th 33rd 32nd 31st 30th 29th 28th 27th 26th 25th 24th 23rd 22nd

David Tempel Michael Yoakum Charles H. Steinmeyer Kevin D. Cuppia Frank O. Plair Mark A. Buskirk Lowell Keene Danny Charpentier Edward Wise W.K. “Pete” Pillow Ronald Tanner D.R “Rusty” Simpson Hutson “Buster” Davis, Jr J Lee Bollman George B Brown Duncan Fordham Skeet VonHarten William C Robinson James Williamson * Claude E Surface, Jr * Owen Hand Ed Duryea Fred Kuhn *

1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956

21st 20th 19th 18th 17th 16th 15th 14th 13th 12th 11th 10th 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st

George Goldsmith Curt Copeland * John M. Finn * James G Thomas * Thomas R Garrett * Don Perry Robert Welden * Elrid Moody * Arthur Horne * W. Henry Jackson * Colden R Battey, Jr. C.R. Powell * R. Ray Kearns * Henry V Boyce, Jr * Marvin H. Dukes * Robert G McDowell * Roy Smith * Mrs. Mazie Terhune * Sammy Gray * Ed Pike * John M. Bigbee *

* Deceased

Our Commitment to Local News In the heart of our newsroom lies a wealth of experience and dedication. The Post and Courier Beaufort County has expanded to bring you more local insights, more local perspectives, and more local impact. We invite you to empower our mission to you informed. Because when it comes to the news that shapes our lives, more local matters.

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l~t ~ostBEAUFORT anb Qtouritr COUNTY

One of the original Beaufort Water Festival events, the Commodore’s Ball, is still going strong.

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riginally called the Water Festival Ball, the Commodore’s Ball, is as old as the festival itself and has long been a festival favorite. Not only is it the last big performance of the festival, it is where the upcoming Commodore is announced.

Performing for the first time at the Beaufort Water Festival is the Shag Doctorz.

The Shag Doctorz adventure which, began in 2011 with their full length CD, “Just Went For The Weekend”), are from the upstate of S.C., in and around the Greenville-Spartanburg area. A favorite among the shagger’s and beach crowd, this six piece band pumps out a lot of “live” beach music along with some of your favorite oldies.

From Edisto Island to Myrtle Beach and all around the Southeast,The Doctorz are always trying to do their part in preserving and keeping this music alive and well. Playing festivals, beach clubs, weddings, corporate and private events is where you will always receive a large dose of Carolina Beach Music at its best. They have been nominated twice for the “Rising Star” award by the CBMA (Carolina Beach Music Association).

The band has placed seven singles on beach music compilation CD’s for Patman & Robin Records and have shared the stage with many regional acts such as: The Band of Oz, The Fantastic Shakers, The Entertainers, The East Coast Party Band, among others. The band members are a diversified group of musicians who love to entertain and some of the members have been playing beach music now for over 50 years, and along with their sound production engineer: Buddy Strong. “We don’t have fans. We have friends.”

The Shag Doctorz will be performing at the Commodore’s Ball on Saturday, July 20. Gates open at 7pm, show at 8pm. Tickets are $15. Children five and under are free.

GET IN. GET OUT.

OPEN

EVENINGS & WEEKENDS Monday-Friday

✓

8 a.m. to 8 p.m .................................

I

Saturday

8 a.m. to 5 p.m .................................

Sunday

1 to 5 p.m.

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL

EXPRESS CARE & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

• Sick visits for adults and children • School, sports, camp and work physicals • Treatment for fever, sore throat, earache, stomach virus • Treatment for sprains, minor fractures, lacerations, contusions • On-site lab and X-ray services WALK-INS WELCOME

BeaufortMemorial.org/ExpressCare

BLUFFTON

OKATIE

PORT ROYAL

843-706-2185

843-706-8840

843-524-3344

1 BURNT CHURCH ROAD

122 OKATIE CENTER BLVD. N

1680 RIBAUT ROAD

LOCATION:

at

EVENT DETAIL

FIR FED R LB K

7~ta-~~,

refunds outside under FREE I N

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Be sure to visi

•• HARGRAY

•

Admiral of the Fleet

Flagship Admiral

ml Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM EDT $ $15.00 Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park

9 Henry C. Chambers Wa erfront Park, Bay St, Beaufort, SC at 8:00 PM EDT All ticket sales will be online only this year.

THERE WILL BE NO SALES AT THE GATES. This will not only speed up entry at the gates, but we have now placed a limit on the total tickets available. It will allow us to maintain a comfortable event for those within in the park.

purchase online

THE OFFICIAL SPIRITS SPONSOR OF THE BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL

Wishing you A Summer to Remember

Hargray is your 2024 Admiral of the Fleet and a trusted, local solution for all your Internet, TV, and phone needs.

Call us at 1.877.HARGRAY or visit us online at hargray.com

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